Is Chesapeake Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Chesapeake, Virginia might have one of the best locations for people who want to escape, engage, and explore a variety of landscapes from one starting point.

The city is just south of Norfolk and 22 miles from the beach.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina can easily be a day trip, and the historical sites of the Virginia commonwealth are around every corner.

From the Great Bridge Battlefield to the Great Outdoors, everything is attainable in this comfortable suburb.

The Visit Chesapeak VA app is your starting point to explore all the options in this versatile community.

You’ll even realize there’s nothing dismal about the Great Dismal Swamp.

Whether you want to ride the Intracoastal waterway or ride the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, Coastal Virginia offers a lot of options for outdoor enthusiasts.

There’s also a rich agritourism industry here, with fresh grown foods and farm-to-table meals that will have you ordering seconds.

Each season brings a different vibe to the region, and you can explore haunted habitats or ride a horse-drawn carriage through a brilliant holiday light display.

Warnings & Dangers in Chesapeake

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Chesapeake is toeing the line between low and medium risk, with increasing violent crime rates, but still not high enough to put it in the "Top 25 Most Dangerous Lists." Meanwhile, other categories fall below national averages. It is a safer community, at least by crime data, than Norfolk to the north.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Hampton Roads Transit is the public bus and light rail system in the area that goes between Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach. Taxis and rideshares are easy to find. Rental cars are available as well. Note that there are a lot of drawbridges and tunnels in the Chesapeake and Coastal Virginia area, so always plan extra time for delays. Any option is a low risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

With just 10 pickpockets reported in 2020, there's a low risk. You should always use extra caution on public transportation or in crowded tourist areas. When visiting outdoor areas, lock your car and roll the windows up before parking. Avoid leaving any personal items inside.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The biggest concern in this region is hurricanes and associated flooding, storm surge, and wind damage. Severe thunderstorms are possible, too, with tornado potential, but those aren't as common as in the Midwest and South. Winter storms can also create travel problems. Since there's a year-round threat, there's a medium risk here.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The robbery rate is actually 40% lower than the national average here, and 30% of robberies happen in public places, which does lower the risk. Avoiding dark streets or alleys and limiting travel alone at night will help reduce the risk further.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

As a major port on the eastern seaboard with a strong military presence, and a large population in the metro region, there's a medium risk here. That risk also goes with an increased security presence, so there's nothing to be overly worried about as long as you report any suspicious activity you might see.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The risk is low here that tourists will be targeted for scams, but I do want to mention a new scam that is happening here - but could happen anywhere. It involves a stranger asking to use your mobile phone to make a call for some kind of emergency. Once you hand over the phone, the person gets into your CashApp account and makes a transfer of funds to another account - an account they control. You've been robbed without realizing it.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women will love the outdoor adventures, spas, and shopping areas of Chesapeake. There's no risk here that makes it more dangerous for women as long as they use all the basic safety smarts they know by heart.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report shows all standards of the EPA were met or exceeded during the previous year. You should follow the city's social media accounts if you are visiting during or after floods because that's one way water quality can be compromised.

Safest Places to Visit in Chesapeake

VisitChesapeake.com is the tourism website for this region which will also help you know you are in the right state, as several states have cities named Chesapeake.

The Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum will give you a history lesson from the Revolutionary War with brilliant views of the water, a giant bridge, and nature.

December visitors shouldn’t miss the reenactment of the battle over a two-day event.

I’m going to give away a little secret about the Great Dismal Swamp, which is another popular tourist attraction rooted in history.

I’m sure the workers at the visitor’s center are tired of answering this question, though it is a good one!

Why is it named the Great Dismal Swamp?

Was it just a salty pioneer?

Someone who doesn’t like swamps?

Colonel William Byrd first called it “Dismal,” which simply means swamp or land covered in shallow water.

However, he DID go on to write, “the foul damps ascend without ceasing, corrupt the air, and render it unfit for respiration.”

A few years later, future president George Washington had a different perspective, calling it a “glorious paradise.”

Decide for yourself when you visit, but bring bug spray.

Lots of bug spray.

From the swamp, take the African American Heritage Driving Tour to learn about the influence and sacrifices throughout this region, including a community where black people could live a life of freedom.

There are six stops on the trail, and it’s a very educational and interesting excursion.

The Chesapeake Arboretum spans nearly 50 acres, with an 18th-century farmhouse near the entrance.

Explore the wooded trails, stop to smell the antique rose garden, or get your hands dirty with a gardening class.

While you have far too many parks to choose from than I can cover in this article, one of the largest in Chesapeake is the nearly 800-acre Northwest River Park and Campground.

Biking, hiking, birding, kayaking, fishing – all of these are options.

You can go for a hike on horseback or on foot.

Paddleboats are available for rent.

The park also has SkyWatch events to explore the galaxy through clear skies and no light pollution.

For those who would rather see the skies in a climate-controlled environment free of mosquitos, visit the Chesapeake Planetarium.

Bergey’s Breadbasket is a great place for eating homemade goodies while exploring a petting zoo.

(Ok, wash your hands between each activity.)

Ice cream is churned here, and you can also pick fresh-cut flowers.

It’s a farm experience without getting too dirty.

Mount Pleasant Farms is one of several regional options to enjoy “You-Pick-Em” style farming.

From strawberries to pumpkins, check with your preferred farm location to see what’s in season.

Pick up fresh eggs (VERY fresh) and other products or unique gift items.

NOTE:

The above list of items is specifically in Chesapeake, and I didn’t mention the great attractions in surrounding cities.

You can review the list of other locations on our website to get hyperlocal information.

For research purposes, Great Bridge, Greenbrier, Western Branch, Deep Creek, and Hickory are all neighborhoods in the city of Chesapeake.

Places to Avoid in Chesapeake

The closer you get to Norfolk, the higher the crime rates will go.

However, that’s primarily an industrial area and not a place where tourists are likely to be wandering around anyway.

The truth about Chesapeake is it’s the epitome of suburban sprawl.

There are a lot of outdoor activities, but should a rainy day pop up, you’re limited to a handful of museums and the mall.

Even the tourism bureau lists places like Macy’s department store as a “Rainy Day Activity.”

If you don’t like driving over bridges, you’re not going to like this region.

There are a lot of bridges and delays that come from drawbridges being raised to make way for water traffic.

Fentress Airfield is in the southeast section of the city and can produce a lot of jet noise.

While no section of this area is safe from the ongoing air travel, staying close to Fentress will mean more noise.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Chesapeake

So... How Safe Is Chesapeake Really?

Chesapeake is one of many cities in America seeing an increase in homicides.

While it’s not shattering any records, it is seeing a higher than average growth rate of homicides.

On the flip side, more than half of the homicides were either justifiable or domestic in nature.

“This is the bulk of the increase of homicides that we have experienced,” Police spokesperson Leo Kosinski stated.

“We plan to continue to partner with members of the community to bring awareness to the dangers of domestic violence, and develop solutions.”

Aside from that, the violent and property crime rates are just slightly above state and national averages.

The risks of being a victim of crime break down like this:

• Violent Crime: 1 in 245
• Robbery: 1 in 2,227
• Theft: 1 in 67

45% of all thefts were car break-ins.

This is another great reminder to not leave personal items in the car and always lock up when you park.

30% of robberies were in public places.

Half of the violent crimes happened against strangers, and half happen in private homes.

While this is a highly suburban area, there are still shootings that can and do happen outside of the community center or even shooting at a hotel thought to be self-defense.

However, this isn’t as risky as a city such as Chicago, Atlanta, or New York.

Using basic safety steps will go a long way here.

You just might find yourself heading to Norfolk or Virginia Beach to find more activities to do, and you should research those cities before you go.

How Does Chesapeake Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

A U.S. Travel or Work Visa, plus a valid passport, will be required to enter the U.S. for non-citizens. You'll need to plan ahead for that, as you can't just get a visa quickly. You can travel between the cities and states in America without showing a visa at the border, but you will need it for your return flight home.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar will be the only currency you can use here, and it's advised to exchange currency before you go. If you choose not to, there are still banks that can help in Chesapeake.

Weather

You'll get all four seasons here, so dress accordingly. Spring and fall can have temperatures that greatly fluctuate throughout the day, so packing various layers will be helpful. Bring comfortable walking shoes, especially for the outdoor areas. You don't want to explore the swamp in flip-flops or sandals. Did I mention how much you'll need bug spray? Bring sunscreen too.

Airports

Norfolk International Airport is 15 miles from Chesapeake, and that's going to take anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes on the highway, depending on traffic.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a wise investment, especially in a place so prone to hurricanes. Even a tropical storm north or south of this region can lead to long air delays.

Chesapeake Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Virginia - Safety by City