Virginia Beach is widely known for its coastline, strong school systems, and family-friendly neighborhoods. It is also one of the safest large cities in Virginia when crime data is viewed as a whole. Still, like any city with a large population and heavy tourism, crime patterns vary significantly by location and opportunity.
This report breaks down what the latest Virginia Beach crime trends actually show and what residents can do to protect their homes without overreacting to citywide statistics.
Virginia Beach consistently reports lower crime rates than both the Virginia and national averages, particularly for violent crime.
| Crime Factor | Virginia Beach Trend |
|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | Well below state and national averages |
| Property crime | Majority of reported incidents |
| Crime distribution | Highly localized |
| Residential neighborhood risk | Generally low |
| High-risk areas | Commercial and tourist-heavy zones |
For residents, this means crime is highly localized, not evenly distributed across the city.
| Area | Crime Intensity | Notes |
| Red Mill | 🟢 Low | Residential, limited through traffic |
| Great Neck | 🟢 Low | Higher security adoption, stable neighborhoods |
| Kempsville | 🟡 Moderate | Density and commuter traffic |
| Town Center | 🔴 Elevated | Retail, nightlife, parking decks |
| Oceanfront | 🔴 Elevated | Tourism-driven theft and vehicle break-ins |
| Bayside | 🟡 Moderate | Transitional residential zones |
See Richmond Crime Rates for 2025: Crime Trends and Smart Security Tips – Updated
Violent crime in Virginia Beach is relatively rare. The odds of becoming a victim of violent crime are approximately 1 in 1,000, significantly lower than the Virginia average.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Odds of violent crime | ~1 in 1,000 |
| Share of total incidents | Small percentage |
| Most common types | Assault, robbery |
| Trend direction | Declining |
| Random residential incidents | Rare |
Most violent incidents occur between known parties or in nightlife-heavy zones, not random residential areas.
Property crime remains the most common issue for Virginia Beach residents.
| Property Crime Type | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Vehicle break-ins | Common |
| Theft from unlocked cars | Common |
| Package theft | Moderate |
| Opportunistic burglary | Moderate |
The chance of experiencing property crime is roughly 1 in 60, with incidents clustering around parking areas, apartment complexes, and commercial corridors.
Several factors help keep crime rates lower than average:
| Perception | Reality |
|---|---|
| Crime is rising everywhere | Crime is localized |
| Violent crime is the main threat | Property crime is more common |
| Safety requires extreme measures | Basic deterrence is effective |
| Risk is unavoidable | Risk is manageable |
Virginia Beach also benefits from long-term investments in technology and targeted patrols, particularly in areas with seasonal population spikes.
Crime prevention data consistently shows that visible security measures reduce targeting.
Homes with visible cameras and alarms are statistically far less likely to be selected for opportunistic crimes.
Criminal behavior continues to trend toward:
That makes deterrence and visibility more important than ever.
Johns Brothers Security provides professional home security solutions throughout Virginia Beach, including alarm systems, cameras, and smart security integrations.
If you want to understand how crime trends apply to your specific neighborhood and what security options make sense for your home, a local assessment can help you stay ahead of potential risks.
Schedule a free home security consultation today.
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