| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Morgantown/100k people | Kentucky/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 7 | n/a (estimate) | 284 | 1,563 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 40.5 | 6.1 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 3 | n/a | 121.6 | 32.4 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 35.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 2 | n/a | 81.1 | 139.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 6 | n/a (estimate) | 243 | 213 | 359 |
| Burglary | 1 | n/a | 40.5 | 193.6 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 930.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 226.2 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1 | n/a (estimate) | 41 | 1,350 | 1,760 |
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 86.6% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 6 violent crimes reported in Morgantown, equivalent to 243 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 32.3%. Additionally, Morgantown recorded 1 property crimes, amounting to 41 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 97.7%.
Morgantown proudly maintains an impressively low crime rate, registering at a mere 284, which sharply contrasts with the national average of 2119. This stark contrast firmly positions Morgantown as one of the most secure residential destinations throughout the entire United States. The total crime rate takes into account the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 people, offering an invaluable assessment of the area's safety suitability for living.
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 1 murders were reported, equating to 41 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.
Property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have exhibited a consistent decrease of about 50% since 1990, with a minor upturn observed in recent years. According to the latest crime data, Morgantown maintains a property crime rate of 41 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of 1760. This serves as a strong indication of the status of Morgantown as a secure and desirable place to reside, emphasizing its commitment to safety and well-being within the community.
The United States experiences some of the highest vehicle theft rates in the world, with about 300 vehicle thefts per 100,000 people. In fact, only a small percentage (about 10%) of cities were lucky enough to report no stolen vehicles at all. Morgantown was one of those cities, as it had no reported vehicle thefts in the most recent crime report.
AreaVibes surveyed 7 local residents in Morgantown to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 57% of people answered that there was very little crime in Morgantown and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 43% 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.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Morgantown a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Morgantown crime rate is 87% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.02 crimes per day - 0.02 violent crimes and 0 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime rates in Morgantown has decreased by 41.7% 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 increased by 200%, while property crime has decreased by 90%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Morgantown.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Morgantown crime rates. In Morgantown, the poverty rate stands at 32.3%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Morgantown crime rates. The population density in Morgantown is 845.6 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.
In Morgantown, the median home price stands at $155,602, diverging from the national average of $326,622. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.
| Item | Morgantown | Kentucky | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 5 | 5,359 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.1 | 2.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Kentucky /100K | National /100K |
| Kentucky | 9,099 | 222 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Caneyville, KY | 575 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Beaver Dam, KY | 3,671 | 86 | 258 | 344 |
| Rochester, KY | 170 | 208 | 1,318 | 1,525 |
| Woodbury, KY | 54 | 238 | 1,506 | 1,743 |
| McHenry, KY | 324 | 306 | 1,940 | 2,246 |
| Morgantown, KY | 2,813 | 243 | 41 | 284 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Burnettown, SC | 2,813 | 31 | 958 | 989 |
| Sterlington, LA | 2,814 | 232 | 1,026 | 1,259 |
| Williamson, WV | 2,812 | 110 | 514 | 625 |
| Fort Hall, ID | 2,812 | 106 | 337 | 442 |
| Abbeville, GA | 2,812 | 205 | 1,051 | 1,256 |
| Morgantown, KY | 2,813 | 243 | 41 | 284 |
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