CCCityCheck
SafetyCostCitiesProvidersSearch
C+

Murder in Portsmouth, Virginia (2026)

6.1 per 100K · 7% above national avg · Grade C+

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Quick Answer

Portsmouth has a murder rate of 6.1 per 100K, which is 7% above the national average of 5.7. Grade: C+. Your odds of being affected: approximately 1 in 16,393 per year.

In 2026, the murder rate in Portsmouth, Virginia is 6.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 7% above the national average of 5.7. That puts Portsmouth's murder close to the national average. Based on FBI UCR data.

Murder Rate: Portsmouth vs State and National Averages

Portsmouth
6.1
Virginia Avg
6.1
National Avg
5.7

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

Your Odds: Murder in Portsmouth

1 in 16,393

Approximate chance of being affected by murder in Portsmouth in a given year, based on the rate of 6.1 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 Portsmouth

C+
Violent Crime425.5/100K · 17% above avg
B-
Property Crime1996.4/100K · 9% above avg
C
Assault359.6/100K · 34% above avg
C
Robbery101.8/100K · 61% above avg

Murder in Nearby Virginia Cities

CityGradeRate
Roanoke
C
7.6
Suffolk
C+
7.5
Lynchburg
B-
5.4
Hampton
C
8.1
Harrisonburg
C
7.6
Leesburg
C+
6.9

Frequently Asked Questions About Murder in Portsmouth

How bad is murder in Portsmouth?
As of 2026, Portsmouth's murder rate of 6.1 per 100K is 7% above the national average. It ranks behind 52% of US cities for murder.
What is the murder rate in Portsmouth?
As of 2026, 6.1 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 Portsmouth?
Crime rates in Portsmouth have been stable overall. Murder has not shown significant movement.
How does Portsmouth's murder compare to Virginia?
Portsmouth performs better than most Virginia cities on murder. Its rate of 6.1 per 100K is close to the national average when compared nationally.
What are the odds of being a victim of murder in Portsmouth?
Based on the rate of 6.1 per 100,000, approximately 1 in 16,393 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 Portsmouth safe from murder?
Portsmouth is about average for murder. The rate of 6.1 per 100K is close to the national average. Awareness and normal precautions go a long way.
Back to Portsmouth 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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities