C-
37%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
27%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
49%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleHampton/100k peopleVirginia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime4,410n/a (estimate)3,1761,9302,324
Murder21n/a15.17.36.3
Rape45n/a32.430.240.0
Robbery86n/a61.938.466.1
Assault223n/a160.6158.1268.2
Violent crime375n/a (estimate)270234370
Burglary274n/a197.3124.6269.8
Theft3,387n/a2,439.41,410.41,401.9
Vehicle theft374n/a269.4160.7282.7
Property crime4,035n/a (estimate)2,9061,6961,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Hampton, VA

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Hampton crime rate is higher than the national average by 36.7%. Specifically, there were 375 violent crimes in Hampton, equivalent to 270 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 27%. Furthermore, Hampton recorded 4035 property crimes, amounting to 2906 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 48.7%.

While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Hampton ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Hampton, there were a total of 21 murders, translating to 15 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Hampton?

What do the local residents think about crime in Hampton? Well, based on a recent survey of 86 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 29% of Hampton residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 71% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Hampton a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Hampton a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Hampton crime rate is 37% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 12.08 crimes per day - 1.03 violent crimes and 11.05 property crimes.

Has Crime in Hampton Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Hampton has increased by 15.4%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Hampton, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 1.8%, while property crime has increased by 17.3%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Hampton is a safe place to live.

Hampton Neighborhood Crime Rates

There are more than 10 different neighborhoods in the Hampton area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Hampton include Foxhill, Northampton and Magruder Area. While Downtown, Greater Wythe and Mercury Central have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.

Potential Causes for Crime in Hampton

Hampton has a poverty rate of 15.3, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.

In Hampton, 85% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

Hampton has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 2.73 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.

Hampton crime map



The Hampton crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Hampton as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Hampton crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Hampton crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Crime Quick Facts

  • Hampton crime rates are 37% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Hampton are 27% lower than the national average
  • In Hampton you have a 1 in 32 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Hampton is safer than 30% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Hampton has increased by 12%

Hampton, VA Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Hampton (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Hampton on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Virginia and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Hampton (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Virginia, are 1.65 times more than the state average and 1.37 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Hampton on a daily basis are 1.15 times more than than Virginia average and 1.37 times less than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Hampton are 1.71 times more than the daily state average and 1.49 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Hampton (higher is better)

        Is Hampton safe in comparison to other cities in the state of Virginia as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Hampton to other cities in the state and across the country, Hampton is 27% safer than other cities of Virginia and 30% safer than other cities in the nation. Hampton has a ranks below average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Hampton

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Hampton is 1 in 371
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Hampton is 1 in 35
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Hampton is 1 in 32
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Hampton? If you reside in Hampton, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 371. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 35 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Hampton, is 1 in 32.

        Year Over Year Crime In Hampton (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Hampton, Virginia (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Hampton has decreased by 5%, the amount of property crime in Hampton has increased by 14%, and the total amount of crime in Hampton has increased by 12% year over year.

        Hampton police department

        Item Hampton Virginia National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)3778,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.73.23.3
        There are a total of 377 Hampton police officers. This results in 2.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 15.1% less than the Virginia average and 15.9% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Virginia

        State Total offenders Virginia /100K National /100K
        Virginia25,766352266
        There are a total of 25,766 sex offenders in Virginia. This yields a total of 352 sex offenders in Virginia per 100,000 residents which is 32% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Poquoson, VA12,121165479644
        Yorktown, VA28695685780
        Smithfield, VA8,4922271,0881,314
        Carrollton, VA6,3401791,2971,476
        Newport News, VA179,5826102,3022,911
        Norfolk, VA244,3007034,8725,575
        Portsmouth, VA94,9618754,8815,757
        Hampton, VA135,1692702,9063,176

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        West Valley City, UT135,6104412,8693,310
        Warren, MI134,1884891,6582,147
        Columbia, SC134,0575992,8563,454
        Gainesville, FL133,6113592,1722,531
        Coral Springs, FL133,3701691,0201,188
        Hampton, VA135,1692702,9063,176
        Source: The Hampton, VA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.