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D-

Is Suffolk, Virginia Safe?

Population 104,699 · Safer than 12% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Suffolk faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 88% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,785 per 100K.

Suffolk Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSuffolkVirginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate405.2320.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2460.22045.21,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate251.0--268.2
Theft Rate1785.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate541.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

286.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

405/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2460/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Suffolk

Violent crime in Suffolk is close to the national average. The rate of 405.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2460.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,785 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Suffolk Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault251
094% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery84
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary439
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,785
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft541
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Suffolk Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Suffolk
405.2
State
320.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Suffolk
2460.2
State
2045.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Suffolk Safety

Is Suffolk safe?
Not especially. Suffolk earns a D- with a crime rate of 286.5 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 Suffolk?
286.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 405.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2460.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Suffolk safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Suffolk's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,785 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Suffolk?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Suffolk generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Suffolk police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Suffolk?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Suffolk's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Suffolk compare to other cities in Virginia?
Below average for the state. Suffolk ranks behind about 87% of Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Suffolk 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 Suffolk?
Bad. A D- grade and 286.5 per-thousand rate put Suffolk below 88% of US cities. Violent crime at 405 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Suffolk?
405.2 per 100,000, which is 11% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (251), robbery (84), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

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View all Virginia city safety grades

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

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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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