| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Hopewell/100k people | Virginia/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 553 | n/a (estimate) | 2,421 | 1,788 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 6 | n/a | 26.3 | 4.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 5 | n/a | 21.9 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 5 | n/a | 21.9 | 33.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 71 | n/a | 310.8 | 152.2 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 87 | n/a (estimate) | 381 | 218 | 359 |
| Burglary | 32 | n/a | 140.1 | 108.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 323 | n/a | 1,414.0 | 1,315.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 111 | n/a | 485.9 | 145.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 466 | n/a (estimate) | 2,040 | 1,570 | 1,760 |

The Hopewell crime rates are 14.2% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 87 violent crimes in Hopewell (381 per 100,000 people), which is 6.1% higher than the national average and there were a total of 466 property crimes (2040 per 100,000 residents) which is 15.9% higher than average.
When assessing the overall crime rate in Hopewell per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes, underscores the close alignment of reported Hopewell crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.
The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Hopewell is very close to the national average of all cities that reported crime. Hopewell reported 381 violent crimes, while the average of all cities was 359.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Hopewell is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 6 murders in Hopewell, which equates to 26 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Hopewell being a very dangerous place to live.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Hopewell is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Hopewell reported a total of 111 vehicle thefts, resulting in 486 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 206, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Hopewell residents. Out of the respondents (20 in total), 15% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Hopewell were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 85% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To determine if Hopewell is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Hopewell has a total crime rate that is 14% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 1.52 daily crimes (0.24 violent daily crimes and 1.28 daily property crimes) in Hopewell.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Hopewell. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Hopewell has increased by 10.6%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 16%, while property crime has increased by 9.7%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Hopewell.
In Hopewell, the current unemployment rate stands at 5.3%, diverging from the national average of 4.9%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Hopewell crime rates.
Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower Hopewell crime rates. For instance, in Hopewell, the population density stands at 2252.1 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
The median home price in Hopewell is $222,508, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
| Item | Hopewell | Virginia | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 78 | 8,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.4 | 3.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Virginia /100K | National /100K |
| Virginia | 25,766 | 352 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Prince George, VA | 1,686 | 74 | 530 | 604 |
| Matoaca, VA | 2,802 | 107 | 770 | 877 |
| Enon, VA | 4,373 | 165 | 1,187 | 1,351 |
| Chester, VA | 22,686 | 233 | 1,678 | 1,910 |
| Charles City, VA | 27 | 252 | 1,816 | 2,068 |
| Bensley, VA | 6,198 | 254 | 1,831 | 2,085 |
| Ettrick, VA | 5,172 | 257 | 1,854 | 2,112 |
| Hopewell, VA | 23,190 | 381 | 2,040 | 2,421 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Christiansburg, VA | 23,191 | 224 | 2,597 | 2,821 |
| Waukee, IA | 23,183 | 142 | 640 | 782 |
| Greenfield, IN | 23,175 | 278 | 1,224 | 1,502 |
| Garden City, NY | 23,173 | 160 | 722 | 882 |
| Highland, IN | 23,168 | 98 | 1,595 | 1,694 |
| Hopewell, VA | 23,190 | 381 | 2,040 | 2,421 |