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Murder in Petersburg, Virginia (2026)

5.2 per 100K · 9% below national avg · Grade B-

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Quick Answer

Petersburg has a murder rate of 5.2 per 100K, which is 9% below the national average of 5.7. Grade: B-. Your odds of being affected: approximately 1 in 19,231 per year.

In 2026, the murder rate in Petersburg, Virginia is 5.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 9% below the national average of 5.7. That puts Petersburg's murder close to the national average. Based on FBI UCR data.

Murder Rate: Petersburg vs State and National Averages

Petersburg
5.2
Virginia Avg
6.1
National Avg
5.7

Rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI UCR data.

Your Odds: Murder in Petersburg

1 in 19,231

Approximate chance of being affected by murder in Petersburg in a given year, based on the rate of 5.2 per 100,000 residents.

What Is Murder?

Murder and non-negligent manslaughter is the willful killing of one person by another. This does not include deaths caused by negligence, suicide, or justifiable homicide.

Other Crime Types in Petersburg

B-
Violent Crime322.6/100K · 11% below avg
B-
Property Crime1773.2/100K · 3% below avg
B-
Assault256.3/100K · 4% below avg
B
Robbery28.4/100K · 55% below avg

Murder in Nearby Virginia Cities

CityGradeRate
Fredericksburg
C+
6.3
Winchester
C+
7.4
Staunton
B-
4.5
Fairfax
B
3.7
Danville
B-
4.5
Salem
B-
5.7

Frequently Asked Questions About Murder in Petersburg

How bad is murder in Petersburg?
As of 2026, Petersburg's murder rate of 5.2 per 100K is 9% below the national average. It ranks behind 47% of US cities for murder.
What is the murder rate in Petersburg?
As of 2026, 5.2 per 100,000 residents, based on the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report data. The national average is 5.7 per 100K.
Is murder increasing in Petersburg?
Crime rates in Petersburg have been stable overall. Murder has not shown significant movement.
How does Petersburg's murder compare to Virginia?
Petersburg performs better than most Virginia cities on murder. Its rate of 5.2 per 100K is close to the national average when compared nationally.
What are the odds of being a victim of murder in Petersburg?
Based on the rate of 5.2 per 100,000, approximately 1 in 19,231 residents could be affected by murder in a given year. This is a statistical estimate, not a prediction — actual risk varies by neighborhood and behavior.
Is Petersburg safe from murder?
Petersburg is about average for murder. The rate of 5.2 per 100K is close to the national average. Awareness and normal precautions go a long way.
Back to Petersburg safety overviewHow we calculate grades

2023 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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