Richmond city Crime & Safety

Richmond city, Virginia

Safety Score

4/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

3820.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

362.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

3457.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

4/100

Higher = safer

State avg 39/100

State Safety Rank

#122

of 131 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Richmond city, Virginia

Richmond City faces significant safety hurdles

Richmond City reports a total crime rate of 3,820.0 per 100,000, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a safety score of 94.0. As a major urban center, it experiences more frequent incidents than surrounding rural counties.

Crime rates exceed state averages

The city's safety score of 94.0 is lower than the Virginia average of 97.3. Its total crime rate of 3,820.0 is more than double the state average of 1,728.8 per 100,000. These figures, reported by a single agency, highlight the unique challenges of the state's capital city.

Urban crime vs. neighboring counties

Richmond City's crime rate of 3,820.0 is vastly higher than Prince William's 1,650.6. It is also more than six times the rate of neighboring Richmond County. This sharp contrast emphasizes the higher density of crime typical in large urban environments.

High property crime defines the landscape

Property crime is the primary driver of Richmond's rate, sitting at 3,457.7 per 100,000 residents. The violent crime rate of 362.3 is also higher than the state average of 229.7, but property crimes occur nearly ten times as often. Theft and burglary remain the most common safety concerns.

Prioritizing security in the city

With a property crime rate of 3,457.7, city residents should invest in monitored alarm systems. Visible cameras and secure entry points are highly effective in dense urban neighborhoods. Always ensure vehicles are locked and valuables are removed to prevent common opportunistic thefts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Richmond city, VA?
Richmond city has a total crime rate of 3820.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (362.3 per 100K) and property crimes (3457.7 per 100K).
Is Richmond city, VA safe?
Richmond city has a safety score of 4/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #122 out of 131 counties in Virginia for safety (1 = safest).
How does Richmond city crime compare to the Virginia average?
The city's safety score of 94.0 is lower than the Virginia average of 97.3. Its total crime rate of 3,820.0 is more than double the state average of 1,728.8 per 100,000. These figures, reported by a single agency, highlight the unique challenges of the state's capital city.
What types of crime are most common in Richmond city?
Property crime is the primary driver of Richmond's rate, sitting at 3,457.7 per 100,000 residents. The violent crime rate of 362.3 is also higher than the state average of 229.7, but property crimes occur nearly ten times as often. Theft and burglary remain the most common safety concerns.
How is crime data measured and reported for Richmond city?
Crime data for Richmond 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 Richmond city?
Richmond city has a safety score of 4/100, 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.

Counties with Similar Safety Profile

Data Sources

Crime data sourced from the FBI Crime Data Explorer (UCR) and County Health Rankings. Safety scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Not legal or security advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.