Is Martinsville or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Martinsville is safer than Virginia Beach (Safety Score 56/100 vs 48/100), with a total crime rate of 1,518 per 100,000 versus 1,733 for Virginia Beach — 12% lower. Martinsville has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Virginia Beach has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Virginia Beach is 32.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Martinsville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Martinsville, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Martinsville | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,517.8 | 1,733.3 | -215.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 386.6 | 93.4 | +293.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 2.9 | +4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 43.0 | 18.5 | +24.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 14.3 | 31.6 | -17.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 322.2 | 39.3 | +282.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,131.2 | 1,639.9 | -508.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 107.4 | 83.9 | +23.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 952.2 | 1,446.8 | -494.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 71.6 | 109.2 | -37.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Martinsville or Virginia Beach safer?
Martinsville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,518 per 100K vs 1,733 for Virginia Beach — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Martinsville has a violent crime rate of 386.6 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach has lower violent crime.
About Martinsville, VA
Martinsville, VA, known for its historic textile industry, sits in the Blue Ridge foothills. This independent city in Southern Virginia has a population of around 13,000. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 13,968, Martinsville has a total crime rate of 1,517.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach, a coastal city where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic, is home to the Naval Air Station Oceana, a major employer. Its population of nearly half a million is diverse, with significant military and retiree communities. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 455,155, Virginia Beach has a total crime rate of 1,733.3 per 100,000 residents.