Crime in Virginia


in the U.S. state of Virginia has generally decreased from 2008 to 2014.

Summary

Overall, there were 177,060 crimes reported in 2014 in Virginia, including 338 murders and homicides.
In 2012 Virginia had the 3rd-lowest rape rate by state after New Jersey and New York.
The state has significantly lower crime rates than demographically similar neighboring states Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

By location

Hampton Roads

had the highest crime rate by region in the state.

Richmond

In 2012, Richmond had 42 murders, a murder rate of 20.2 per 100,000.
In 2007 the FBI Uniform Crime Reports ranked Richmond as the 5th worst city for violent crimes with populations of 100,000 to 250,000. Today Richmond is not in the top 25 of violent crime or murder.

Capital punishment laws

is applied in this state. Both the electric chair and lethal injection are used to execute prisoners.
State and federal officials may opt to send violent criminals to face trial in Virginia rather than their current state due to Virginia judges being more willing to carry out execution.