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C-

Is Chesapeake, Virginia Safe?

Population 255,332 · Safer than 26% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Chesapeake means there's room for concern. The 237.7 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime below the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,543 per 100K.

Chesapeake Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricChesapeakeVirginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate258.9320.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2117.82045.21,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate147.0--268.2
Theft Rate1543.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate337.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

237.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

259/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2118/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Chesapeake

Violent crime in Chesapeake is below the national average. The rate of 258.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2117.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,543 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Chesapeake Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault147
055% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery38
060% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary277
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,543
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft337
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Chesapeake Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chesapeake
258.9
State
320.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chesapeake
2117.8
State
2045.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Chesapeake Safety

Is Chesapeake safe?
Not especially. Chesapeake earns a C- with a crime rate of 237.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Chesapeake?
237.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 258.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2117.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Chesapeake safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Chesapeake's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,543 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Chesapeake?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Chesapeake generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Chesapeake police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Chesapeake?
Crime rates have held steady in Chesapeake, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Chesapeake compare to other cities in Virginia?
Below average for the state. Chesapeake ranks behind about 67% of Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Chesapeake to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Chesapeake?
Bad. A C- grade and 237.7 per-thousand rate put Chesapeake below 74% of US cities. Violent crime at 259 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Chesapeake?
258.9 per 100,000, which is 29% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (147), robbery (38), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Virginia

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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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