Cape Charles, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 90% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Cape Charles Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Cape Charles has a crime rate that is 62% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 172.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 172
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
53% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 47
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
17% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Cape Charles Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
163 | +63% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
146 | +46% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
164 | +64% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
179 | +79% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
126 | +26% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
97 | -3% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
137 | +37% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Cape Charles Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Cape Charles Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Cape Charles zip codes.
Cape Charles Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Cape Charles, VA?
Cape Charles, VA has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 62% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 172 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 47 chance for property crime. Cape Charles has higher crime than 90% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Cape Charles, VA safe to live in?
Cape Charles has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Cape Charles is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Cape Charles?
The estimated violent crime rate in Cape Charles is 580.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 53% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 172 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.2 per 100K (63% above average); aggravated assault at 390.9 per 100K (46% above average); robbery at 121.4 per 100K (64% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Cape Charles?
The estimated property crime rate in Cape Charles is 2,137.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 17% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 47 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 340.2 per 100K (26% above average); larceny/theft at 1,362.3 per 100K (3% below average); vehicle theft at 435.2 per 100K (37% above average).
How does Cape Charles crime compare to the national average?
Cape Charles's overall crime rate is 62% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (79% above average), while larceny/theft is 3% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Cape Charles has higher crime than 90% of them.
Is Cape Charles safe to visit?
Visitors to Cape Charles should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 17% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Cape Charles crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Cape Charles's crime rate is 62% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Cape Charles?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Cape Charles, with an estimated rate of 1,362.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 3% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,138 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (581 per 100K) in Cape Charles, which is consistent with national trends.