Virginia is widely recognized for its historic landmarks, scenic mountain landscapes, charming small towns, and growing metropolitan areas. From the colonial streets of Williamsburg to the beaches of Virginia Beach and the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Commonwealth offers a high quality of life for millions of residents.
Like every state, however, Virginia has communities facing public safety challenges. While many neighborhoods remain safe, some cities report higher violent crime rates than the state average. Understanding these statistics can help residents, visitors, and anyone considering a move make more informed decisions.
Quick Guide
- State: Virginia
- Ranking Based On: Reported violent crime rate per 100,000 residents
- Includes: Assault, robbery, rape, and homicide
- Important Note: Crime rates can vary significantly by neighborhood and may change from year to year.
- Source: areavibes
This ranking is based primarily on reported violent crime rates per 100,000 residents. It’s important to remember that crime is often concentrated in specific neighborhoods rather than an entire city, and many communities on this list continue working with law enforcement, local organizations, and residents to improve public safety.
10. Norfolk
- Population: 250,142
- 469 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 1.29
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 213
- Total Crimes / 100k: 4,242
Rounding out our list at #10 is Norfolk, VA. With a population of 250,142 and a violent crime rate of 469 per 100,000 people (115% higher than the Virginia average), some parts of Norfolk are incredible unsafe.
The violent crime rate consists of 336 counts of assault, 77 counts of robbery, 40 counts of rape and 16 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 213 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
9. Farmville
- Population: 8,368
- 548 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 1.50
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 182
- Total Crimes / 100k: 4,093
Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Farmville, VA comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Virginia with a violent crime rate of 548 per 100,000 people.
If we break that down, the city sees 1.50 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 182 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.
8. Pulaski
- Population: 9,058
- 567 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 1.55
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 176
- Total Crimes / 100k: 2,892
Pulaski, VA is another one of the most dangerous cities in Virginia and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 9,058 and a violent crime rate of 567 per 100,000 people.
Of those crimes, there were 465 counts of assault, 34 counts of robbery, 57 counts of rape and 11 counts of homicide. All told, the Pulaski violent crime rate is 160% higher than the Virginia average.
7. Ashland
- Population: 8,026
- 595 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 1.63
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 168
- Total Crimes / 100k: 2,695
A 1 in 168 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 1.63 violent crimes per day – those are some fairly good reasons why Ashland makes the list at #7.
According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 595 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 173% higher than the Virginia average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (544), robbery (38), rape (13) and homicide (0).
6. Fredericksburg
- Population: 29,849
- 604 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 1.65
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 166
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,674
Fredericksburg, VA comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 604 per 100,000 people, which is 177% higher than the Virginia average. Fredericksburg has a population of 29,849, which translates to 1.65 crimes per day and 1 in 166 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Fredericksburg which are much safer than others.
5. Roanoke
- Population: 102,987
- 620 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 1.70
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 161
- Total Crimes / 100k: 4,676
The ongoing battle with crime in Roanoke, VA, is not a new issue – which is why there’s no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 620 and a 1 in 161 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Roanoke has a violent crime rate that is 185% higher than the Virginia average.
Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Roanoke.
4. Newport News
- Population: 184,134
- 736 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.02
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 136
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,152
With a violent crime rate that is 238% higher than the Virginia average, it’s not hard to see why Newport News made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (85), assault (610), rape (29) and homicide (12).
In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Newport News more vulnerable to high crime.
3. Portsmouth
- Population: 98,194
- 752 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.06
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 133
- Total Crimes / 100k: 4,613
Home to 98,194 residents, Portsmouth, VA ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Virginia. Unfortunately for residents of Portsmouth, crime is widespread, with more than 752 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year.
When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 2.06 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 245% higher than the Virginia violent crime rate.
2. Petersburg
- Population: 31,836
- 1,044 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.86
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 96
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,933
The second most dangerous city is Petersburg. With a population of 31,836 and a violent crime rate that is 379% higher than the Virginia average, the city has seen better days.
The higher than average crime rates in Petersburg are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,044 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 96 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
1. Emporia
- Population: 5,571
- 1,069 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.93
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 94
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,962
Emporia, VA holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Virginia with 1,069 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (885), robbery (147), rape (18) and homicide (18) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 391% higher than the Virginia average.
Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.
Final Thoughts
Crime statistics provide valuable insight, but they represent only one part of a community’s overall picture. Many of the cities on this list include safe neighborhoods, successful local businesses, parks, schools, and ongoing redevelopment efforts. Anyone planning to relocate or visit should review current local crime trends, research individual neighborhoods, and consider multiple quality-of-life factors before making a decision.
Source note: Crime rankings are based on reported violent crime rates per 100,000 residents using the most recent available crime data. Statistics may change as new annual reports are released.
