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C-

Is Norfolk, Virginia Safe?

Population 231,013 · Safer than 28% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Norfolk earns a C- safety grade with 233 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs below the national average, putting the city behind 72% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,811 per 100K.

Norfolk Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricNorfolkVirginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate265.8320.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2063.82045.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate219.0--268.2
Theft Rate1811.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate484.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

233 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

266/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2064/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Norfolk

Violent crime in Norfolk is below the national average. The rate of 265.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2063.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,811 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Norfolk Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault219
082% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery65
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary395
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,811
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft484
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Norfolk Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Norfolk
265.8
State
320.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Norfolk
2063.8
State
2045.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Norfolk Safety

Is Norfolk safe?
Not especially. Norfolk earns a C- with a crime rate of 233 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Norfolk?
233 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 265.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2063.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Norfolk safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Norfolk's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,811 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Norfolk?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Norfolk generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Norfolk police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Norfolk?
No. Crime in Norfolk has been trending down, which is good news for the C--rated city.
How does Norfolk compare to other cities in Virginia?
Below average for the state. Norfolk ranks behind about 82% of Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Norfolk to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Norfolk?
Bad. A C- grade and 233 per-thousand rate put Norfolk below 72% of US cities. Violent crime at 266 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Norfolk?
265.8 per 100,000, which is 27% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (219), robbery (65), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Virginia

Similar-sized communities in Virginia. Compare crime rates across the state.

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See crime rates in Richmond237,257 pop · Grade D
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See crime rates in Chesapeake255,332 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in Newport News183,230 pop · Grade D+
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See crime rates in Alexandria160,662 pop · Grade D
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See crime rates in Hampton137,315 pop · Grade D-
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See crime rates in Suffolk104,699 pop · Grade D-
View all Virginia city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Norfolk

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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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