Norfolk, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 86% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Norfolk Safe?
Norfolk has a crime rate that is 44% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 181.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 181
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
46% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 32
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
69% higher than national average
Norfolk 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
|
147 | +47% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
145 | +45% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
149 | +49% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
139 | +39% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
128 | +28% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
161 | +61% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
155 | +55% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Norfolk Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Norfolk Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Norfolk zip codes.
Norfolk Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Norfolk, VA?
Norfolk, VA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 44% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 181 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 32 chance for property crime. Norfolk has higher crime than 86% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Norfolk, VA safe to live in?
Norfolk 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 Norfolk is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Norfolk?
The estimated violent crime rate in Norfolk is 554.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 46% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 181 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.3 per 100K (47% above average); aggravated assault at 389.7 per 100K (45% above average); robbery at 110.4 per 100K (49% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Norfolk?
The estimated property crime rate in Norfolk is 3,101.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 69% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 32 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 344.8 per 100K (28% above average); larceny/theft at 2,263.4 per 100K (61% above average); vehicle theft at 493.3 per 100K (55% above average).
How does Norfolk crime compare to the national average?
Norfolk's overall crime rate is 44% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (61% above average), while burglary is 28% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Norfolk has higher crime than 86% of them.
Is Norfolk safe to visit?
Visitors to Norfolk should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 69% 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 Norfolk crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Norfolk's crime rate is 44% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Norfolk?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Norfolk, with an estimated rate of 2,263.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 61% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,102 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (554 per 100K) in Norfolk, which is consistent with national trends.