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D+

Is Charlottesville, Virginia Safe?

Population 44,388 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Charlottesville is a smaller community of 44,388 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 251.6 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,886 per 100K.

Charlottesville Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricCharlottesvilleVirginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate229.1320.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2286.92045.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate184.0--268.2
Theft Rate1886.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate309.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

251.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

229/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2287/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Charlottesville

Violent crime in Charlottesville is below the national average. The rate of 229.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2286.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,886 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Charlottesville Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault184
069% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery28
044% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary363
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,886
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft309
097% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Charlottesville Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Charlottesville
229.1
State
320.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Charlottesville
2286.9
State
2045.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Charlottesville Safety

Is Charlottesville safe?
Not especially. Charlottesville earns a D+ with a crime rate of 251.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Charlottesville?
251.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 229.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2286.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Charlottesville safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Charlottesville's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,886 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Charlottesville?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Charlottesville generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Charlottesville police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Charlottesville?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Charlottesville's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Charlottesville compare to other cities in Virginia?
Below average for the state. Charlottesville ranks behind about 70% of Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Charlottesville to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Charlottesville?
Bad. A D+ grade and 251.6 per-thousand rate put Charlottesville below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 229 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Charlottesville?
229.1 per 100,000, which is 37% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (184), robbery (28), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all Virginia city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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