| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Portsmouth/100k people | Virginia/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 4,482 | n/a (estimate) | 4,613 | 1,788 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 36 | n/a | 37.1 | 4.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 35 | n/a | 36.0 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 163 | n/a | 167.8 | 33.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 497 | n/a | 511.5 | 152.2 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 731 | n/a (estimate) | 752 | 218 | 359 |
| Burglary | 412 | n/a | 424.1 | 108.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,837 | n/a | 2,920.1 | 1,315.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 502 | n/a | 516.7 | 145.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 3,751 | n/a (estimate) | 3,861 | 1,570 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Portsmouth is 117.7% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Portsmouth, there were 731 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 752 per 100,000 individuals, 109.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 3751 property crimes, amounting to 3861 per 100,000 residents, 119.4% higher than the U.S. average.
Having a crime rate of 4613 per 100,000 residents, Portsmouth experiences a crime rate that is 117.69% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Portsmouth contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.
Portsmouth ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 752 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Portsmouth stand at 1 in every 133 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Portsmouth is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 36 murders in Portsmouth, which equates to 37 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Portsmouth being a very dangerous place to live.
With a property crime rate of 3861 crimes per 100,000 people, Portsmouth unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Portsmouth is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 26, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Portsmouth faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 502 vehicle thefts, translating to 517 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Portsmouth in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 194.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Portsmouth residents. Out of the respondents (133 in total), 17% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Portsmouth were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 83% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Portsmouth, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Portsmouth presents a total crime rate that is 118% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Portsmouth experiences an average of 12.28 daily crimes, comprising 2 violent incidents and 10.28 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime rates in Portsmouth has increased by 1.4% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Portsmouth is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has didn't change by 0%, while property crime has increased by 1.6%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Portsmouth.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Portsmouth crime rates. In Portsmouth, the poverty rate stands at 15.7%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
Portsmouth has a population density of 2948.7 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Portsmouth crime rates.
Portsmouth has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 3.52 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.
| Item | Portsmouth | Virginia | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 341 | 8,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.5 | 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 |
| Carrollton, VA | 6,533 | 131 | 943 | 1,074 |
| Chesapeake, VA | 251,202 | 339 | 1,744 | 2,084 |
| Hampton, VA | 138,888 | 248 | 2,882 | 3,130 |
| Norfolk, VA | 250,142 | 469 | 3,772 | 4,242 |
| Portsmouth, VA | 98,194 | 752 | 3,861 | 4,613 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Sandy, UT | 98,208 | 106 | 648 | 754 |
| Roswell, GA | 98,234 | 160 | 1,021 | 1,181 |
| Riverview, FL | 98,341 | 229 | 1,220 | 1,449 |
| Hesperia, CA | 98,419 | 520 | 1,426 | 1,945 |
| Brockton, MA | 98,714 | 599 | 1,346 | 1,945 |
| Portsmouth, VA | 98,194 | 752 | 3,861 | 4,613 |
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