Is Richmond or Williamsburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Williamsburg is safer than Richmond (Safety Score 60/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100,000 versus 3,516 for Richmond — 60% lower. Richmond has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Williamsburg has a 74% lower rate.
Note: Richmond is 14.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Williamsburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Richmond, VA
Williamsburg, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Richmond | Williamsburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,516.3 | 1,403.9 | +2,112.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 336.9 | 198.8 | +138.1 |
| Murder Rate | 24.2 | 6.2 | +18.0 |
| Rape Rate | 18.6 | 43.5 | -24.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 94.5 | 24.9 | +69.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 199.7 | 124.2 | +75.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,179.4 | 1,205.1 | +1,974.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 265.3 | 62.1 | +203.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,386.9 | 1,118.2 | +1,268.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 527.2 | 24.9 | +502.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richmond or Williamsburg safer?
Williamsburg is safer with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100K vs 3,516 for Richmond — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Richmond has a violent crime rate of 336.9 per 100K while Williamsburg has 198.8. Williamsburg has lower violent crime.
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 12/100 and a population coverage of 231,805, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,516.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Williamsburg, VA
Williamsburg, a historic city in Virginia, is home to Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum. It's a popular tourist destination in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 16,098, Williamsburg has a total crime rate of 1,403.9 per 100,000 residents.