South Boston, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 98% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is South Boston Safe?
No — South Boston has high crime rates
Take precautions: avoid walking alone at night and keep valuables secured.
South Boston has a crime rate that is 172% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 94.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 94
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
180% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 15
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
275% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
South Boston 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
|
293 | +193% | High | |
|
Assault
|
284 | +184% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
264 | +164% | High | |
|
Rape
|
280 | +180% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
247 | +147% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
364 | +264% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
348 | +248% | High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
South Boston Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
South Boston Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific South Boston zip codes.
South Boston Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in South Boston, VA?
South Boston, VA has a crime safety grade of D as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 172% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 94 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 15 chance for property crime. South Boston has higher crime than 98% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is South Boston, VA safe to live in?
South Boston has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting South Boston is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in South Boston?
The estimated violent crime rate in South Boston is 1,064.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 180% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 94 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 14.7 per 100K (193% above average); aggravated assault at 760.8 per 100K (184% above average); robbery at 195.2 per 100K (164% above average).
What is the property crime rate in South Boston?
The estimated property crime rate in South Boston is 6,876.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 275% 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 665.1 per 100K (147% above average); larceny/theft at 5,101.4 per 100K (264% above average); vehicle theft at 1,110.2 per 100K (248% above average).
How does South Boston crime compare to the national average?
South Boston's overall crime rate is 172% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (264% above average), while burglary is 147% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, South Boston has higher crime than 98% of them.
Is South Boston safe to visit?
Visitors to South Boston should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 275% 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 South Boston crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. South Boston's crime rate is 172% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in South Boston?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in South Boston, with an estimated rate of 5,101.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 264% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (6,877 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (1,065 per 100K) in South Boston, which is consistent with national trends.