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D

Is Richmond, Virginia Safe?

Population 237,257 · Safer than 16% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Richmond has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 267.9 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,991 per 100K.

Richmond Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricRichmondVirginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate380.9320.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2298.52045.21,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate264.0--268.2
Theft Rate1991.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate572.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

267.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

381/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2299/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Richmond

Violent crime in Richmond is close to the national average. The rate of 380.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2298.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,991 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Richmond Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault264
098% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery71
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary448
01.7x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,991
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft572
01.8x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Richmond Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Richmond
380.9
State
320.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Richmond
2298.5
State
2045.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Richmond Safety

Is Richmond safe?
Not especially. Richmond earns a D with a crime rate of 267.9 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 Richmond?
267.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 380.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2298.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Richmond safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Richmond's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,991 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Richmond?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Richmond generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Richmond police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Richmond?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Richmond's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Richmond compare to other cities in Virginia?
Below average for the state. Richmond ranks behind about 76% of Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Richmond to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Richmond?
Bad. A D grade and 267.9 per-thousand rate put Richmond below 84% of US cities. Violent crime at 381 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Richmond?
380.9 per 100,000, which is 5% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (264), robbery (71), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Virginia

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

C-
See crime rates in Norfolk231,013 pop · Grade C-
C-
See crime rates in Chesapeake255,332 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in Newport News183,230 pop · Grade D+
D
See crime rates in Alexandria160,662 pop · Grade D
D-
See crime rates in Hampton137,315 pop · Grade D-
D-
See crime rates in Suffolk104,699 pop · Grade D-
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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