Chatham, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 34% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Chatham Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Chatham has a crime rate that is 3% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 243.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 243
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
8% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 192
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
72% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Chatham 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
|
97 | -3% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
109 | +9% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
100 | -0% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
121 | +21% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
106 | +6% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
0 | -100% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
74 | -26% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Chatham Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Chatham Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Chatham zip codes.
Chatham Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Chatham, VA?
Chatham, VA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 3% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 243 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 192 chance for property crime. Chatham has lower crime than 34% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Chatham, VA safe to live in?
Chatham has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Chatham is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Chatham?
The estimated violent crime rate in Chatham is 411.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 8% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 243 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.9 per 100K (3% below average); aggravated assault at 292.1 per 100K (9% above average); robbery at 73.6 per 100K (0% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Chatham?
The estimated property crime rate in Chatham is 520.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 72% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 192 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 284.7 per 100K (6% above average); larceny/theft at 0.0 per 100K (100% below average); vehicle theft at 236.0 per 100K (26% below average).
How does Chatham crime compare to the national average?
Chatham's overall crime rate is 3% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (21% above average), while larceny/theft is 100% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Chatham has lower crime than 34% of them.
Is Chatham safe to visit?
Visitors to Chatham should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 72% below 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 Chatham crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Chatham's crime rate is 3% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Chatham?
Aggravated assault is the most common crime in Chatham, with an estimated rate of 292.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 9% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (521 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (411 per 100K) in Chatham, which is consistent with national trends.