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Safest Cities in West Virginia: Ranking the Best for Safety in 2025

Alicia1/15/2025
safest cities in west virginia

When it comes to safety, West Virginia has a bit of a mixed reputation for itself. There are some cities and towns in the state that are relatively safe, while others have crime rates that are much higher than average. Whether you want to move to or within West Virginia, you should know the options for the safest cities.

The top 10 safest cities in West Virginia for 2025 will be explored in this article — from safety statistics and rankings — to identify the safest city in West Virginia. We will, moreover, provide insights into statewide crime trends and advice for keeping safe.

Is West Virginia Safe?

West Virginia is moderately high for property crime (it is relative to national figures) and low for violent crime relative to national figures. Recent surveys find that 60 percent of West Virginians say they feel safe living there.

But almost a quarter know it firsthand, having been the victims of property crime in the past year. Of all crimes committed, property crimes dominate statewide — 16 percent come in the form of burglaries, compared to 14 percent nationally.

Top 10 Safest Cities in West Virginia

A comparison of safety across West Virginia found some cities better than others in terms of crime rates and feelings of security, according to recent data. The most recent FBI Uniform Crime Reports can enable us to present you with the top 10 safest towns in West Virginia 2025:

Wellsburg

With fewer than 2,500 residents, the crime rate is the state's lowest in Wellsburg. It is one of the safest cities in West Virginia. , Wellsburg had 39 offenders who committed violent crimes and 859 who committed property crime law violations. By far, the most prevalent offense in Wellsburg is property crime, which includes theft and burglary.

Weirton

Weirton has a population of around 18,500, far safer than other cities of its size. Per 100,000 people, Weirton reported 49 violent crimes and 895 property crimes, data show. As with any other safe West Virginian city, Weirton also takes the biggest hit from property offenses, including theft through larceny and burglary.

Charles Town

West Virginia's third safest city is Charles Town, which has a permanent population of about 6,000 in the city proper. The previous year, the murder rate in Charles Town rose 30 percent. The rate of violent crimes and property crimes also rose.

Madison

Unlike violent crime, Madison is West Virginia's safest city. Though the town has less than 3,000 residents, the year saw zero violent crimes but more property crimes. Residents are not worried about their safety. The good thing is that residents experience fewer than 1,700 crimes of property theft. Plus, there are no aggravated assaults, robberies, or murders.

Hinton

West Virginia's safest small city is the town of Hinton, where about 2,500 people live. Hinton totaled just 41 violent crimes and 1,572 property crimes per 100,000 people. Hinton is not at risk of murder or manslaughter either, like Madison.

Weston

Although Weston is safer than most, where most people can't find much crime, there are also property crimes. 278 violent crimes and 152 property crimes occurred per 100,000 people in Weston. Weston itself records slightly more aggravated assaults than similarly sized equals, consuming it upwards the violent crime rate.

Point Pleasant

Point Pleasant has a moderate property and violent crime for its 4,100 or so residents. Point Pleasant had 97 violent crimes. Residents experienced 1,478 property crimes per 100,000 people. The town of Point Pleasant had no murders, but aggravated assault happens more often than in the nation.

Ranson

Ranson has one of the lowest crime rates among the safest cities. It has almost 5,300 residents. Ranson had a violent crime rate of about 283 per 100,000 persons. Plus, the property crime rate was 510 per 100,000 persons. Although Ranson has the national average of violent offenses, it has fewer aggravated assaults and robberies than most towns its size.

Kenova

Kenova, with a population of just over 3,000, has somewhat higher property crime rates than expected, with fewer than you'd expect by its size for violent crimes. , people in Kenova experienced 201 violent crimes and 1,276 property crimes per 100,000 people. We do have violent disputes more often than our national average.

Oak Hill

With more than 8,000 within city limits, Oak Hill is West Virginia's 10th safest city. According to data from Oak Hill, it had 157 violent crimes and 1,779 property crimes for every 100,000 people. The Appalachian Fayette County town of Oak Hill follows local patterns that are lower on violent crime and higher on property offense as inmates live in close quarters in what used to be a coal town.

How We Determine the Safest City in West Virginia

To determine the safest cities in West Virginia, we relied on the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report released. The UCR includes official data on violent crimes (homicide, rape, robbery, assault) and property crimes (burglary, theft, vehicle theft, arson) as reported by local law enforcement.

Crime rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow for comparison across cities of varying populations. We considered both violent and property crime rates for our safest cities ranking.

West Virginia Crime Rate in Cities: Key Stats

While West Virginia has pockets of safety, some statewide crime trends impact public safety for those living or moving here. Here is the crime rate in West Virginia:

  • 54% of West Virginians report feeling safe in their home state (US 45%).
  • 22% of respondents said they had a personal experience with property crime in the 12 months prior to the survey (US 27%)—that's a dramatic 44% drop year over year.
  • Burglaries account for 16% of all property crimes statewide, compared to 14% nationwide.
  • More than 8 in 10 survey respondents (85%) use some form of property protection (US 75%), with security cameras and firearms used most often.
  • 47% of West Virginians said they added or increased security measures in the 12 months prior to the survey (US 35%).

How to Find the Safest Places to Live in West Virginia

If you're preparing for a move to West Virginia, keep these tips in mind when evaluating potential hometowns:

  • Research the most recent crime data available from local law enforcement and the FBI
  • Monitor neighborhood social media groups and local news for emerging crime trends
  • Ask locals about their experiences walking alone at night and where they avoid
  • Look at factors like unemployment, poverty, education rates, and median incomes
  • Consider small towns and cities away from high-poverty urban neighborhoods
  • Prioritize secure housing with neighborhood watch participation

How to Stay Safe While Living in West Virginia's Cities

While many West Virginian cities provide good levels of safety, risks still remain. Use these tips to secure your home and stay safe regardless of where you reside in the state:

1. Invest in a good home security system

With property crime prevalent statewide, a security system acts as a first line of defense. Systems with 24/7 monitoring provide the fastest response when break-ins occur. Outdoor cameras also deter potential burglars and help police investigate criminal incidents faster.

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2. Collaborate with neighborhood organizations

Areas with active Neighborhood Watch groups see crime drop by as much as 30%. Get to know community leaders and participate in local events. Strong neighborhood bonds promote public safety for all residents.

3. Stay alert while driving

Larceny from vehicles causes thousands in damages statewide each year. Always lock your car and keep valuables out of sight. Park only in well-lit areas under surveillance when possible. Stay aware of your surroundings when walking to and from your vehicle as well.

4. Prepare emergency plans

Discuss evacuation routes, communication plans, and shelter options with your household. Make copies of key documents and medical records to take with you if necessary. Having emergency protocols in place allows for quick response during unsafe situations.

5. Engage with local law enforcement

Develop relationships with patrol officers who regularly work in your neighborhood. Tip lines also provide anonymous ways to report suspicious or criminal activity in your area when warranted. Being cooperative with the police makes everyone safer.

FAQs

What is the safest town in West Virginia to live in?

Based on the most recent crime statistics, Wellsburg ranks as the overall safest town in West Virginia. With just 2,500 residents, Wellsburg saw 39 violent crimes and 859 property crimes per 100,000 people in 2019.

Where is the best place to live in West Virginia?

The best places to live in West Virginia combine affordable housing, employment opportunities, outdoor recreation, and public safety. Top-ranked areas, according to livability, include Morgantown, Bridgeport, Charleston, Martinsburg/Berkeley County, and Teays Valley.

What are the cons of living in West Virginia?

While much of West Virginia provides a good quality of life at low costs, some downsides exist. The state lags in healthcare access and educational achievement on most national rankings. West Virginia also has pockets of poverty and unemployment, especially in former coal towns.

Conclusion

While no community is completely immune from crime, West Virginia does have several cities that rank among the nation’s safest. Understanding statewide crime trends provides context on public safety concerns facing residents. Yet drilling down into data for individual cities shows that many parts of West Virginia still enjoy security and peace of mind. By selecting one of West Virginia’s safest cities and taking safety measures in your daily life, you can expect minimal concern over violent disputes or offenses within your community.

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Editor from Reolink. Interested in new technology trends and willing to share tips about home security. Her goal is to make security cameras and smart home systems easy to understand for everyone.