B+
34%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
45%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
32%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleWilliamsburg/100k peopleVirginia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime226n/a (estimate)1,4041,7882,119
Murder1n/a6.24.85.0
Rape7n/a43.527.837.5
Robbery4n/a24.833.160.6
Assault20n/a124.2152.2256.1
Violent crime32n/a (estimate)199218359
Burglary10n/a62.1108.7229.2
Theft180n/a1,118.21,315.91,272.1
Vehicle theft4n/a24.8145.1258.8
Property crime194n/a (estimate)1,2051,5701,760

Williamsburg crime map

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The Williamsburg crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Williamsburg 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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An Overview of Crime Rates in Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg crime rate is lower than the national average by 33.8%. Specifically, there were 32 violent crimes in Williamsburg, equivalent to 199 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 44.6%. Furthermore, Williamsburg recorded 194 property crimes, amounting to 1205 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 31.5%.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Williamsburg?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Williamsburg residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 51 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 80% of Williamsburg residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 20% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Williamsburg a Safe Place to Live?

Is Williamsburg a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Williamsburg has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 34%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.62 daily incidents, encompassing 0.09 violent crimes and 0.53 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Williamsburg as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Williamsburg Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Williamsburg crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Williamsburg has decreased by 7.4% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 31.9% and property crime has decreased by 1.5%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Williamsburg

Williamsburg has a population density of 1719.3 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 Williamsburg crime rates.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Williamsburg, the cost of living is 18.73% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Williamsburg, the average monthly rent stands at $1,757, while the national average is $1,444 per month.

Compare Williamsburg, VA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Williamsburg crime rates are 34% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Williamsburg are 45% lower than the national average
      • In Williamsburg you have a 1 in 72 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Williamsburg is safer than 47% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Williamsburg has decreased by 14%

      Williamsburg, VA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Williamsburg (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Williamsburg for every 100,000 residents. The Williamsburg total amount of daily crime is 1.27 times less than the Virginia average and 1.51 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Williamsburg, is 1.10 times less than the Virginia average, and it is 1.81 times less than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Williamsburg has a daily crime average that is 1.30 times less than the Virginia average and 1.46 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Williamsburg (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Williamsburg, Virginia compared to other areas of Virginia, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Williamsburg safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Williamsburg is safer than 54% of Virginia cities, and 47% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in Virginia, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Williamsburg. At this time, Williamsburg sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Williamsburg

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Williamsburg is 1 in 504
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Williamsburg is 1 in 83
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Williamsburg is 1 in 72
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Williamsburg, Virginia? If you reside in Williamsburg, then there is a 1 in 504 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 83. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 72 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Williamsburg.

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

        An ideal indicator of whether Williamsburg is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Williamsburg has decreased by 25% and the rate of property crime in Williamsburg has decreased by 12%. The total crime rate in Williamsburg has decreased by 14% year to year.

        Williamsburg police department

        Item Williamsburg Virginia National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)418,827558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.83.23.3
        There are a total of 41 Williamsburg police officers. This results in 2.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 12.8% less than the Virginia average and 13.7% 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
        Rushmere, VA1,02465472537
        Gloucester Courthouse, VA3,06088630718
        Yorktown, VA29488634722
        Gloucester Point, VA10,7152231,6031,825
        Surry, VA3372581,8592,118
        Newport News, VA184,1347362,4163,152
        Williamsburg, VA15,3711991,2051,404

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Alpine, CA15,3702591,1061,364
        Kilgore, TX15,3883392,1962,535
        Sterling, IL15,3513191,3331,653
        Vandalia, OH15,3931681,7711,939
        Jackson, MO15,346821,0351,117
        Williamsburg, VA15,3711991,2051,404
        Source: The Williamsburg, VA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. 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.