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D

Is Portsmouth, Virginia Safe?

Population 96,777 · Safer than 18% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Portsmouth faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 82% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,795 per 100K.

Portsmouth Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPortsmouthVirginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate399.9320.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2223.32045.21,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate321.0--268.2
Theft Rate1795.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate203.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

262.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

400/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2223/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Portsmouth

Violent crime in Portsmouth is close to the national average. The rate of 399.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2223.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,795 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 321 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Portsmouth Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault321
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery94
01.5x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary345
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,795
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft203
064% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Portsmouth Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Portsmouth
399.9
State
320.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Portsmouth
2223.3
State
2045.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Portsmouth Safety

Is Portsmouth safe?
Not especially. Portsmouth earns a D with a crime rate of 262.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Portsmouth?
262.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 399.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2223.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Portsmouth safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Portsmouth's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,795 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Portsmouth?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Portsmouth generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Portsmouth police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Portsmouth?
Crime rates have held steady in Portsmouth, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Portsmouth compare to other cities in Virginia?
Below average for the state. Portsmouth ranks behind about 77% of Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Portsmouth to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Portsmouth?
Bad. A D grade and 262.3 per-thousand rate put Portsmouth below 82% of US cities. Violent crime at 400 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Portsmouth?
399.9 per 100,000, which is 10% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (321), robbery (94), and murder (5.0) 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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