Petersburg, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Last updated: May 7, 2026
Higher crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated May 2026
Summary: Petersburg, VA Crime Rate (2026)
Petersburg, VA has a crime safety grade of D- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is 221% above the national average. Petersburg has higher crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) & local law enforcement agencies. Last updated: May 7, 2026.
Is Petersburg Safe?
No — Petersburg has high crime rates
Exercise extra caution. Avoid walking alone at night and stay in well-lit areas.
Petersburg has a crime rate that is 221% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 79.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 79
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
232% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 15
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
269% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Petersburg 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
|
335 | +235% | High | |
|
Assault
|
329 | +229% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
326 | +226% | High | |
|
Rape
|
371 | +271% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
321 | +221% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
343 | +243% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
343 | +243% | High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Petersburg Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Petersburg Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Petersburg zip codes.
Petersburg Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Petersburg, VA?
Petersburg, VA has a crime safety grade of D- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 221% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 79 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 15 chance for property crime. Petersburg has higher crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Petersburg, VA safe to live in?
Petersburg has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Petersburg is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Petersburg?
The estimated violent crime rate in Petersburg is 1,264.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 232% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 79 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 16.7 per 100K (235% above average); aggravated assault at 882.5 per 100K (229% above average); robbery at 241.1 per 100K (226% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Petersburg?
The estimated property crime rate in Petersburg is 6,765.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 269% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 15 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 865.4 per 100K (221% above average); larceny/theft at 4,806.8 per 100K (243% above average); vehicle theft at 1,093.1 per 100K (243% above average).
How does Petersburg crime compare to the national average?
Petersburg's overall crime rate is 221% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (271% above average), while burglary is 221% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Petersburg has higher crime than 99% of them.
Is Petersburg safe to visit?
Visitors to Petersburg should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 269% 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 Petersburg crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Petersburg's crime rate is 221% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Petersburg?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Petersburg, with an estimated rate of 4,806.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 243% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (6,765 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (1,265 per 100K) in Petersburg, which is consistent with national trends.