Safest cities in West Virginia

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Known as the 'Mountain State,' West Virginia is renowned for its rugged landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Located in the Appalachian region of the United States, West Virginia offers a diverse geography that includes the Appalachian Mountains, rolling hills, and scenic rivers. The state's economy is supported by industries such as energy, tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture. Charleston, the state capital, is a cultural and economic hub known for its historic sites, vibrant arts scene, and beautiful waterfront. West Virginia is also famous for its outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, white-water rafting, and exploring its numerous state parks and natural reserves.

Low crime rates are essential for maintaining a high quality of life, making the safest cities in West Virginia highly desirable. Safety fosters a sense of community and stability, allowing residents to thrive in a secure environment. Factors contributing to the safety of West Virginia's cities include strong law enforcement, active community policing, and engaged local governments. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring a transparent and reliable measure of safety. This emphasis on security allows residents to enjoy West Virginia's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to live and work.

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New Martinsville Population: 5,260 139 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 59 Property Crime / 100k: 79 chance of being a victim: 1 in 721

New Martinsville proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in West Virginia. With only 139 crimes per 100,000 people, New Martinsville has a crime rate that is 95% lower than the West Virginia average. This equates to an average of 0.02 crimes per day and a 1 in 721 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Weirton Population: 19,099 468 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 138 Property Crime / 100k: 331 chance of being a victim: 1 in 214

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Weirton comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in West Virginia with a crime rate of 468 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 0 counts of burglary, 331 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 83 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 44 counts of rape and 11 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Weirton, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Elkins Population: 7,267 881 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 478 Property Crime / 100k: 403 chance of being a victim: 1 in 114

With a population of 7,267 and a total crime rate of 881 per 100,000 residents, Elkins is the 3rd safest city in West Virginia. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 93% lower than the West Virginia average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Ranson Population: 5,367 917 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 69 Property Crime / 100k: 848 chance of being a victim: 1 in 109

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Ranson is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 917, 94% lower than the West Virginia average. This amounts to 0.15 crimes per day and a 1 in 109 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Ranson a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Grafton Population: 5,209 924 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 924 chance of being a victim: 1 in 108

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Grafton consistently ranks high in safety. In Grafton, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 924, which is 95% lower than the state average.

Charles Town Population: 6,151 1,308 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 74 Property Crime / 100k: 1,234 chance of being a victim: 1 in 76

Charles Town has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in West Virginia. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 1,308 crimes per 100,000 people, 92% lower than the West Virginia average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 321 reports of burglary, 852 reports of theft, 62 reports of vehicle theft, 37 reports of assault, 12 reports of robbery, 25 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Hurricane Population: 6,350 1,362 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 59 Property Crime / 100k: 1,303 chance of being a victim: 1 in 73

Hurricane ranks as the seventh safest city in West Virginia and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 73 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.25 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Hurricane’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in West Virginia.

Keyser Population: 5,081 1,488 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 248 Property Crime / 100k: 1,240 chance of being a victim: 1 in 67

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Keyser is the 8th safest city in West Virginia. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 95% lower than the West Virginia average, reporting a total of 1,488 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Bluefield Population: 10,163 1,517 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 480 Property Crime / 100k: 1,037 chance of being a victim: 1 in 66

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Bluefield is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in West Virginia, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,517 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 91% lower than the state average.

Buckhannon Population: 5,599 1,556 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 319 Property Crime / 100k: 1,237 chance of being a victim: 1 in 64

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in West Virginia, is Buckhannon. With a low rate of crime that included 0 burglaries, 1,237 thefts, 0 vehicle thefts, 279 assaults, 0 robberies, 40 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 95% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in West Virginia

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	New Martinsville	5,260	59	79	139
2	Weirton	19,099	138	331	468
3	Elkins	7,267	478	403	881
4	Ranson	5,367	69	848	917
5	Grafton	5,209	0	924	924
6	Charles Town	6,151	74	1,234	1,308
7	Hurricane	6,350	59	1,303	1,362
8	Keyser	5,081	248	1,240	1,488
9	Bluefield	10,163	480	1,037	1,517
10	Buckhannon	5,599	319	1,237	1,556
11	Bridgeport	8,970	138	1,458	1,596
12	Fairmont	19,106	520	1,323	1,843
13	Dunbar	7,317	311	1,810	2,122
14	Morgantown	31,653	210	1,960	2,170
15	Oak Hill	8,559	155	2,065	2,220
16	St. Albans	10,386	225	2,089	2,313
17	Clarksburg	16,166	372	2,220	2,592
18	Wheeling	27,630	983	1,992	2,975
19	Vienna	10,635	154	3,309	3,463
20	Parkersburg	30,536	260	3,217	3,477
21	Charleston	48,539	543	3,120	3,663
22	Nitro	6,688	157	3,774	3,931
23	Huntington	47,371	800	3,602	4,403
24	South Charleston	12,935	489	5,520	6,009
25	Beckley	16,865	605	7,912	8,517

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in West Virginia is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included West Virginia cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.