It is one of the first questions people ask before moving to Richmond: is it safe? The honest answer is mixed. Richmond’s overall crime fell in 2025, but its violent crime rate is higher than the Virginia average, and safety varies a lot from one neighborhood to the next. This guide explains what the numbers show, why different sources disagree, and how to check the specific area you are considering.
Updated November 2026.
What 2025 Police Data Shows
At its year-end briefing in January 2026, the Richmond Police Department reported the following, as covered by WTVR and WRIC:
- Major crime: down 12% in 2025, from 10,265 reports to 9,037.
- Homicides: 54 in both 2024 and 2025, which police described as the lowest number in eight years.
- Non-fatal shootings: down 15%, to their lowest level in 10 years.
- Violent crime: up 8% despite the overall drop.
- Other changes: carjackings and residential robberies fell sharply, while commercial robberies rose.
These figures come from news coverage of the briefing. For complete numbers, check the Richmond Police Department’s crime incident data and annual reports.
How Richmond Compares With Virginia and the US
FBI-based figures compiled by AreaVibes put Richmond’s 2024 violent crime rate at about 337 per 100,000 residents. Virginia’s rate was about 218 and the national rate about 359. That puts Richmond well above the state average and a little below the national figure.
Treat any single number with caution. Other crime websites report rates for Richmond ranging from about 220 to more than 600 per 100,000, because they use different years, definitions and population estimates. For the most reliable view, use the Virginia State Police annual Crime in Virginia report and the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer.
Safety Varies by Neighborhood
A citywide rate hides large differences. Two blocks can feel completely different, and a rate for the whole city includes downtown and areas that most newcomers would never choose to live in. Residents often judge a neighborhood by factors such as:
- How well lit and maintained the streets are
- Whether people are out walking, with active shops, parks and restaurants
- How busy it is at night as well as in the daytime
- Whether the buildings have secure entrances and good lighting
- How quickly the landlord or management fixes problems
Our guides to the best neighborhoods in Richmond, the most talked-about neighborhoods and the most walkable neighborhoods can help you narrow the choices.
The Suburbs
Many people who want a quieter setting choose the suburbs around the city. Henrico and Chesterfield have their own police departments, and Hanover County is served by its sheriff’s office, so crime data is reported separately for each. Check the numbers for the area you are considering instead of assuming. See our guides to Midlothian vs Henrico and Glen Allen, Chesterfield and Mechanicsville.
How to Check a Specific Address
- Look at official data: Check the police department’s published crime data or map for the area, and look at the trend over several years, not one month.
- Visit at different times: Walk the block on a weekday morning, a weeknight and a weekend evening.
- Talk to neighbors: Ask people who live there what they like and what concerns them.
- Look closely at the property: Check lighting, locks, entrances, parking and security cameras.
- Ask the landlord or agent about break-ins, package theft and parking issues in the building.
- Check the commute and surroundings: Consider where you will park and how you will get home late.
Practical Safety Tips for New Residents
- Change or re-key the locks when you move in, or ask the landlord to.
- Test smoke detectors and door locks in your first week.
- Get renters insurance: See our first apartment checklist.
- Keep valuables out of parked cars and lock them every time.
- Keep valuables and documents with you on moving day: See what not to pack when moving.
- Meet your neighbors, and sign up for neighborhood alerts if your area has them.
- Know the weather risks too: Read Richmond flooding and weather risks.
So, Is Richmond Safe?
It depends on where you live and how you live there. Richmond is a real city with real city crime, and its violent crime rate is above the state average. At the same time, overall crime fell in 2025, and many neighborhoods are lively, walkable and well liked by residents. The best approach is to research the specific area, visit in person and compare more than one option. For the broader picture, read whether Richmond is a good place to live and the cost of living in Richmond.
When you have chosen your neighborhood, our Richmond movers can handle the move.
Ready for a straight answer on your move? Call Cavalier Moving at (804) 404-8048 or request a free estimate. We are open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richmond, VA a dangerous city?
Its violent crime rate is above the Virginia average, but overall crime fell in 2025 and safety varies widely by neighborhood. Research the specific area you are considering.
Did crime go up or down in Richmond in 2025?
According to the Richmond Police Department’s year-end briefing, major crime fell 12% in 2025 and homicides held at 54, while violent crime rose 8%.
Which parts of Richmond are the safest?
There is no single answer, and rankings vary by source and year. Compare official crime data for specific neighborhoods and visit them at different times of day.
Are the Richmond suburbs safer than the city?
Often the crime rates are lower in the suburbs, but each locality has its own police department and numbers. Check the data for the specific suburb.
Where can I find reliable crime statistics?
Use the Richmond Police Department’s published data, the Virginia State Police Crime in Virginia report and the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, and compare the same year and area.