Portsmouth city Crime & Safety

Portsmouth city, Virginia

Safety Score

1/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

5815.1

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

881.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

4934.1

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

1/100

Higher = safer

State avg 39/100

State Safety Rank

#130

of 131 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Portsmouth city, Virginia

Portsmouth Faces High Local Crime Rates

Portsmouth city has a safety score of 90.8, which is lower than the national average. The total crime rate of 5,815.1 per 100K is more than double the national average of 2,385.5.

Safety Trends vs Virginia Benchmarks

Portsmouth's crime rate is more than three times the Virginia state average of 1,728.8 per 100K. Single-agency data indicates that the city faces significant public safety challenges compared to the state average score of 97.3.

A Stark Contrast to Neighboring Poquoson

Compared to Poquoson city’s rate of 721.2, Portsmouth sees over eight times the amount of total crime per 100K. This creates a stark safety contrast between adjacent jurisdictions in the same region.

Property Crime Dominates Local Statistics

Property crime is the primary driver of these statistics, reaching 4,934.1 per 100K. Violent crime also remains elevated at 881.0, which is nearly four times the Virginia average.

Enhanced Home Security for Portsmouth Residents

Residents should prioritize comprehensive home security to mitigate the risks of property crime. Using monitored alarm systems and security cameras is essential for urban safety in this high-activity area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Portsmouth city, VA?

Portsmouth city has a total crime rate of 5815.1 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (881.0 per 100K) and property crimes (4934.1 per 100K).

Is Portsmouth city, VA safe?

Portsmouth city has a safety score of 1/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #130 out of 131 counties in Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

How does Portsmouth city crime compare to the Virginia average?

What types of crime are most common in Portsmouth city?

Property crime is the primary driver of these statistics, reaching 4,934.1 per 100K. Violent crime also remains elevated at 881.0, which is nearly four times the Virginia average.

How is crime data measured and reported for Portsmouth city?

Crime data for Portsmouth city comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Portsmouth city?

Portsmouth city has a safety score of 1/100, which is below the Virginia average of 39/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.