| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Bluefield/100k people | West Virginia/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 139 | n/a (estimate) | 1,477 | 1,508 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 21.3 | 4.6 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 2 | n/a | 21.3 | 44.4 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 10.0 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 127 | n/a | 1,349.5 | 218.9 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 131 | n/a (estimate) | 1,392 | 278 | 370 |
| Burglary | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 190.2 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 8 | n/a | 85.0 | 951.2 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 88.7 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 8 | n/a (estimate) | 85 | 1,230 | 1,954 |
The Bluefield crime rates are 36.5% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 131 violent crimes in Bluefield (1392 per 100,000 people), which is 276.4% higher than the national average and there were a total of 8 property crimes (85 per 100,000 residents) which is 95.7% lower than average.
Bluefield has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 1392 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Bluefield falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 72 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Bluefield stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Bluefield, there were a total of 2 murders, translating to 21 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
In 1991, property crime rates in the United States soared to over 5,140 crimes per 100,000 people. In the years since, the U.S. property crime rate has continued to decline with the most recent year reporting only 1954 property crimes. In Bluefield, the property crime rate was even less than the national average with a rate of 85, cementing it as one of the safest places to live with regards to property crime.
The United States grapples with some of the world's most elevated vehicle theft rates, reaching around 300 vehicle thefts per 100,000 individuals. Remarkably, only a limited proportion, approximately 10%, of cities have been fortunate enough to remain unscathed by reports of stolen vehicles. In the most recent crime report, Bluefield emerged as one such city, recording zero reported vehicle thefts, affirming its status as a secure and vigilant community.
What do the local residents think about crime in Bluefield? Well, based on a recent survey of 11 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 45% of Bluefield residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 55% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Bluefield 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, Bluefield has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 36%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.38 daily incidents, encompassing 0.36 violent crimes and 0.02 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Bluefield as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Bluefield. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Bluefield has increased by 25.2%. Violent crimes have increased by 26%, while property crimes have increased by 14.3%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Bluefield crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Bluefield has an unemployment rate of 4.9%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Bluefield, the cost of living is 19.17% lower than the national average.
High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Bluefield are $695, compared to a national average of $949 per month.
| Item | Bluefield | West Virginia | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 24 | 1,642 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.3 | 3.0 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | West Virginia /100K | National /100K |
| West Virginia | 4,917 | 266 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Athens, WV | 991 | 105 | 466 | 572 |
| Gratton, VA | 1,003 | 78 | 568 | 647 |
| Brush Fork, WV | 1,025 | 129 | 572 | 702 |
| Pocahontas, VA | 242 | 0 | 772 | 772 |
| Bluewell, WV | 2,740 | 145 | 643 | 789 |
| Springville, VA | 1,198 | 130 | 939 | 1,068 |
| Princeton, WV | 5,740 | 265 | 1,172 | 1,437 |
| Bluefield, WV | 9,776 | 1,392 | 85 | 1,477 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Paris, KY | 9,776 | 88 | 1,189 | 1,278 |
| Peru, IL | 9,777 | 82 | 1,379 | 1,460 |
| Rifle, CO | 9,771 | 377 | 1,960 | 2,337 |
| Ingleside, TX | 9,768 | 353 | 1,793 | 2,146 |
| Baker City, OR | 9,786 | 263 | 2,349 | 2,612 |
| Bluefield, WV | 9,776 | 1,392 | 85 | 1,477 |
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