The most dangerous cities in Virginia, according to different sources, are Portsmouth, Emporia, Galax, South Boston, Norfolk, Richmond, Fredericksburg, Danville, Petersburg, and Roanoke. These cities have high rates of violent crimes like murder, rape, robbery, and serious assault, as well as property crimes like burglary and auto theft. It is crucial to note that crime rates fluctuate over time, and not all sections of these cities may be equally dangerous. Visitors and residents should use caution and remain aware of their surroundings in these places.
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Most Dangerous Cities in Virginia 2024
The 10 most dangerous cities in Virginia based on the latest available data are:
1. Portsmouth
Portsmouth is rated Virginia’s most dangerous city, with a high crime rate, particularly in property crime (19.29%). The city saw a considerable amount of crimes in 2022, including 36 murders. Portsmouth’s crime rate declined from 29.24 per 1,000 residents in 2020 to 26.11 in 2021.
Crime Grade’s crime map shows that the south of Portsmouth City has a greater rate of crime, while the west has less occurrences of crime.
2. Emporia
Even with its modest population, Emporia is regarded as one the most dangerous cities in Virginia. It has a violent crime rate of 3.47 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 179 per 1,000 households. The city has a murder rate of one per 100,000 residents, a poverty rate of 26.97 percent, and an average family income of $46,692.
Visitors and residents should be aware of their surroundings and take appropriate precautions when in the region. Law enforcement is working with local communities to raise awareness, while the Justice Department is cracking down on criminal organizations in the city. According to Niche, the safest neighborhoods in Emporia are the ones around Greensville County High School and the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office.
3. Galax
Franklin, Roanoke, and Fredericksburg are most dangerous cities in Virginia, as measured by crime per 1000 population. According to the Populationu website, Franklin is Virginia’s most dangerous city, with 40.76 incidents per 1000 population, followed by Roanoke (33.22) and Fredericksburg (31.97).
Furthermore, Galax is ranked as one of Virginia’s most dangerous cities, with a high crime rate, notably in property crimes, and a violent crime rate of 2.833 per 1000 population in 2021. The crime map from CrimeGrade.org reveals that Galax has a greater crime rate than other cities of the same size, but it is safer than the Virginia state average and the national average.
According to the AreaVibes website, Galax has one of the highest property crime rates in the country, with 3818 incidents per 100,000 people, placing it in the bottom 10% of American cities that record crime. According to the available statistics, Galax is one of Virginia’s most dangerous cities.
4. South Boston
South Boston is regarded as one of the most dangerous cities in Virginia. With a population of approximately 8,000 people, the neighborhood has seen significant levels of poverty and unemployment, resulting in an increase in crime, particularly violent property crime.
According to Populationu, South Boston has a violent crime rate of 27.1 per 1000 people, which is higher than the national average. According to the available statistics, South Boston is one of Virginia’s most dangerous cities.
5. Norfolk
Norfolk, according to several sources, including Populationu and House Grail, is one among Virginia’s most dangerous cities. It has a population of approximately 242,000 people and a violent crime rate of 22.22 per 1000 citizens in 2021.
Norfolk has a higher crime rate than the national average, ranking as the 16th most dangerous city in Virginia in 2022. In 2021, Norfolk saw 63 killings, 74 kidnappings, 248 sex offenses, 83 rapes, 6 arsons, 1,082 motor vehicle thefts, 282 robberies, and 876 drug/narcotic offenses. According to the available evidence, Norfolk is one of Virginia’s most dangerous cities.
6. Richmond
Richmond is known as one of the most dangerous cities in Virginia. Richmond has a high crime rate, according to several sites, including A-Z Animals, Populationu, and PropertyClub. It is considered Virginia’s most dangerous city, with a murder rate of 15.9% and a total crime rate of 3,270 per 100,000 population in 2022.
In 2022, Richmond recorded 7,703 property and violent crimes, including 90 murders, 267 robberies, 534 assaults, and 711 burglaries. According to the available evidence, Richmond is one of Virginia’s most dangerous cities.
7. Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is considered as one of the most dangerous cities in Virginia. It has a total crime rate of 3,129 per 100,000 population, with a one-in-33 chance of becoming a victim of any crime.
According to Populationu, Fredericksburg has a violent crime rate of 31.97 per 1000 people, which is greater than the national average. According to the available evidence, Fredericksburg is one of Virginia’s most dangerous cities.
8. Danville
Danville is known as one of the most dangerous cities in Virginia. It has a population of approximately 38,834 and a high crime rate, with a murder rate of one per 1000 people and a violent crime rate of 1.95 per 1000 people in 2021. The city has also seen a 20% surge in crime.
According to PropertyClub, Danville’s total crime rate is 3,118 per 100,000 population, which is 37% higher than the national average. In 2022, there were 1,406 crimes reported, including six murders, thirty robberies, and 107 assaults. According to the available evidence, Danville is one of Virginia’s most dangerous cities.
9. Petersburg
Petersburg is considered as one of the most dangerous cities in Virginia. With a high murder rate and a substantial number of violent crimes, it has been labeled the “most dangerous city” in Virginia. In 2021, the city had a violent crime rate of 4.15% per 1000 people, ranking top in the state with 53.5 killings per 100,000 people, considerably outpacing neighboring Virginia cities.
Petersburg also boasts the fourth-highest and second-highest homicide rates in the state, making it one of Virginia’s most dangerous areas. According to the available evidence, Petersburg is one of Virginia’s most dangerous cities.
10. Roanoke
Roanoke is considered as one of the most dangerous cities in Virginia. It has a population of approximately 99,175 and a high crime rate, with 3,295 total crimes reported in 2021. In 2021, the city’s violent crime rate was 33.22 per 1000 population, with 17 homicides, 19 kidnappings, 136 sex offenses, 64 rape cases, 26 arsons, 356 motor vehicle thefts, 71 robberies, and 1,064 drug/narcotic offenses.
Roanoke is also ranked as the fifth most dangerous city in Virginia, with a murder rate of one per thousand people and a violent crime rate of 58 per 670 people. According to the available evidence, Roanoke is one of Virginia’s most dangerous cities.
Conclusion | Most Dangerous City In Virginia
The most dangerous cities in Virginia face difficult problems such as crime, poverty, and inequality in society. However, teamwork and innovation have the ability to bring about positive change and safer communities.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )
10 most dangerous cities in Virginia based on the latest available data are:
- Portsmouth
- Emporia
- Galax
- South Boston
- Norfolk
- Richmond
- Fredericksburg
- Danville
- Petersburg
- Roanoke
Virginia has the 8th lowest per capita crime rate in the US.
With the combined efforts of Louisa County government officials, citizens, and law enforcement, the County of Louisa remains one of the safest places to live in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States.
The most common criminal offenses in Virginia include petit theft, shoplifting, grand larceny, DUI, reckless driving, trespassing, and assault.
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