| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Summersville/100k people | West Virginia/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 58 | n/a (estimate) | 1,748 | 1,411 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 30.1 | 48.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 9.7 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 8 | n/a | 241.1 | 185.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 9 | n/a (estimate) | 271 | 249 | 359 |
| Burglary | 4 | n/a | 120.6 | 178.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 42 | n/a | 1,265.8 | 905.1 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 3 | n/a | 90.4 | 78.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 49 | n/a (estimate) | 1,477 | 1,162 | 1,760 |

The Summersville crime rates are 17.5% 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 9 violent crimes in Summersville (271 per 100,000 people), which is 24.5% lower than the national average and there were a total of 49 property crimes (1477 per 100,000 residents) which is 16.1% lower than average.
In the latest reported crime year, Summersville recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.
Is Summersville 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, Summersville has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 18%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.16 daily incidents, encompassing 0.02 violent crimes and 0.13 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Summersville as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Summersville has decreased by 15.9% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Summersville 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 increased by 125%, while property crime has decreased by 24.6%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Summersville.
Summersville has a poverty rate of 16.1, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.
Summersville has a population density of 767.4 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Summersville crime rates.
In Summersville, the cost of living is 13.31% lower than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.

Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Summersville | West Virginia | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 18 | 1,642 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 5.0 | 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 |
| Ansted, WV | 1,358 | 108 | 504 | 612 |
| Craigsville, WV | 2,132 | 113 | 527 | 640 |
| Camden-on-Gauley, WV | 205 | 339 | 1,582 | 1,921 |
| Clay, WV | 737 | 382 | 1,780 | 2,162 |
| Nettie, WV | 507 | 386 | 1,800 | 2,186 |
| Fenwick, WV | 97 | 392 | 1,831 | 2,224 |
| Summersville, WV | 3,443 | 271 | 1,477 | 1,748 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Arbuckle, CA | 3,443 | 302 | 1,292 | 1,594 |
| Carthage, NY | 3,443 | 259 | 1,171 | 1,430 |
| Three Rivers, OR | 3,443 | 112 | 811 | 923 |
| Lowville, NY | 3,442 | 248 | 1,120 | 1,368 |
| Cutten, CA | 3,444 | 229 | 979 | 1,208 |
| Summersville, WV | 3,443 | 271 | 1,477 | 1,748 |