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Petersburg, VA vs Richmond, VA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Petersburg crime rate · Richmond crime rate

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Is Petersburg, VA or Richmond, VA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Richmond, VA is safer than Petersburg, VA (Safety Score 13/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,516 per 100,000 versus 3,933 for Petersburg, VA — 11% lower. Petersburg has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Richmond has a 68% lower rate.

Note: Richmond is 6.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Petersburg, VA?

Petersburg — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Flat Total

Richmond — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Petersburg, VA

Petersburg, VA
Safety Score 9/100
Coverage 33,538
Total Crime Rate 3,932.9
Category Wins 3/7

Richmond, VA

Richmond, VA
Safety Score 13/100
Coverage 231,805
Total Crime Rate 3,516.3
Category Wins 4/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Petersburg Richmond Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,932.9 3,516.3 +416.5
Violent Crime Rate 1,043.6 336.9 +706.7
Murder Rate 44.7 24.2 +20.6
Rape Rate 62.6 18.6 +44.1
Robbery Rate 98.4 94.5 +3.9
Aggravated Assault Rate 837.9 199.7 +638.1
Property Crime Rate 2,889.3 3,179.4 -290.1
Burglary Rate 286.2 265.3 +20.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,185.6 2,386.9 -201.3
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 417.4 527.2 -109.7

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Petersburg, VA to Richmond, VA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Petersburg or Richmond safer?

Richmond, VA is safer with a total crime rate of 3,516 per 100K vs 3,933 for Petersburg, VA — a 11% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Petersburg has a violent crime rate of 1,043.6 per 100K while Richmond has 336.9. Richmond has lower violent crime.

About Petersburg, VA

Petersburg, a historic city on the Appomattox River, played a pivotal role in the American Civil War. Its population is predominantly African American, contributing to a rich cultural heritage. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 33,538, Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,932.9 per 100,000 residents.

About Richmond, VA

Richmond, Virginia, a city pivotal during the Civil War, sits along the fall line of the James River. It's a diverse city, home to a vibrant arts scene and a growing population of young professionals. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 231,805, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,516.3 per 100,000 residents.

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