Morgantown, WV Crime Rates: Stats & Map

C

17%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

22%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

25%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Morgantown_{/100k people}	West Virginia_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	799	n/a (estimate)	2,729	1,508	2,324
Murder	6	n/a	20.5	4.6	6.3
Rape	19	n/a	64.9	44.4	40.0
Robbery	8	n/a	27.3	10.0	66.1
Assault	51	n/a	174.2	218.9	268.2
Violent crime	84	n/a (estimate)	287	278	370
Burglary	41	n/a	140.0	190.2	269.8
Theft	648	n/a	2,213.2	951.2	1,401.9
Vehicle theft	26	n/a	88.8	88.7	282.7
Property crime	715	n/a (estimate)	2,442	1,230	1,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Morgantown, WV

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Morgantown is 17.4% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 84 violent crimes reported in Morgantown, equivalent to 287 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 22.4%. Additionally, Morgantown recorded 715 property crimes, amounting to 2442 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 25%.

While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Morgantown stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Morgantown, a total of 6 murders were reported, equating to 20 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Morgantown?

AreaVibes surveyed 31 local residents in Morgantown to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 65% of people answered that there was very little crime in Morgantown and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 35% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Morgantown a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Morgantown is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Morgantown has an overall crime rate that is 17% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 2.19 daily occurrences, comprising 0.23 violent crimes and 1.96 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Morgantown as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Morgantown Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Morgantown has decreased by 4.3% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Morgantown is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 5.6%, while property crime has decreased by 4.2%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Morgantown.

Potential Causes for Crime in Morgantown

The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Morgantown, 87.5% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.

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 Morgantown, the cost of living is 6.1% lower than the national average.

The quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in Morgantown stands at $215,000, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.

Morgantown crime map

The Morgantown crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Morgantown 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 Morgantown crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Morgantown 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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Crime Quick Facts

Morgantown crime rates are 17% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in Morgantown are 22% lower than the national average
In Morgantown you have a 1 in 37 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Morgantown is safer than 32% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Morgantown has increased by 2%

Morgantown, WV Crime Quiz

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Daily Crime In Morgantown (per 100,000 people)

The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Morgantown, per 100,000 residents. In Morgantown, the total number of daily crimes is 1.81 times more than the West Virginia average and 1.17 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Morgantown are 1.03 times more than the West Virginia average and 1.29 times less than the national average. For property crime, Morgantown has a daily crime rate that is 1.99 times more than the West Virginia average and 1.25 times more than the daily national average.

How Safe is Morgantown (higher is better)

How safe is Morgantown, West Virginia compared to other cities in West Virginia and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Morgantown is safer than 35% of the cities in West Virginia and 32% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in West Virginia and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Morgantown. Overall, Morgantown is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Morgantown

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Morgantown is 1 in 349

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Morgantown is 1 in 41

The chance of being a victim of crime in Morgantown is 1 in 37

Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Morgantown? If you reside in Morgantown, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 349. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 41 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Morgantown, is 1 in 37.

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

The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Morgantown is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Morgantown has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have not changed in Morgantown, while property crimes in Morgantown have increased by 2%. Total crime has increased by 2% year over year.

Morgantown police department

Item	Morgantown	West Virginia	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	77	1,642	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	2.5	3.0	3.3

There are a total of 77 Morgantown police officers. This results in 2.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 16.1% less than the West Virginia average and 21.8% less than the National average.

Sex offenders in West Virginia

State	Total offenders	West Virginia_/100K	National_/100K
West Virginia	4,917	266	266

There are a total of 4,917 sex offenders in West Virginia. This yields a total of 266 sex offenders in West Virginia per 100,000 residents which is equal the national average.

Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Point Marion, PA	1,331	89	89	178
Star City, WV	2,086	86	379	464
Barrackville, WV	1,284	87	387	474
Pleasant Valley, WV	3,165	97	427	524
Cheat Lake, WV	9,559	98	432	529
Kingwood, WV	3,067	103	455	558
Cassville, WV	1,042	106	470	576
Morgantown, WV	30,953	287	2,442	2,729

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
San Pablo, CA	30,959	737	2,422	3,159
Danville, IL	30,969	1,756	4,821	6,577
Miami Lakes, FL	31,021	128	777	905
Fair Oaks, CA	30,882	467	2,188	2,654
Los Altos, CA	30,878	67	1,206	1,273
Morgantown, WV	30,953	287	2,442	2,729

Source: The Morgantown, WV crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. 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.