How Safe or Dangerous Is West Virginia in 2024?
West Virginia Safety Scores, out of 100 points (2023)
West Virginia's 57/100 safety score from overall crime demonstrates it as a state with safety that could be more consistent, often fluctuating.
- Overall Crime (safety score): 57
- Violent Crime (safety score): 54
- Property Crime (safety score): 64
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from overall crime, this state is somewhat safer (+7 pts higher), somewhat safer from violent crime (+6 pts higher), and safer from property crime (+11 pts higher).
Where Does West Virginia Rank in Safety Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Crime (safety ranking): 11th
- Violent Crime (safety ranking): 15th
- Property Crime (safety ranking): 13th
In the case of the 50 states in America (and D.C.) with recorded crime data, West Virginia state is ranked 11th in overall safety from overall crime, making it a much safer state comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of violent and property crime, West Virginia is ranked 15th on safety from violent crime, meaning it's a safer state for this category of crime. With respect to safety from property crime, this state is positioned 13th and is a safer state relative to others.
Is West Virginia Becoming Safer or More Dangerous?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Crime (Year-on-Year): no change
- Violent Crime (Year-on-Year): no change
- Property Crime (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from overall crime, this state in 2023 is the same in terms of overall safety levels (unchanged), the same in terms of safety levels from violent crime (unchanged), and slightly more dangerous from property crime (-1 pts lower).
What Is the Likelihood of Becoming a Crime Victim in West Virginia in 2024?
- Overall Crime: Minor
- Violent Crime: Low
- Property Crime: Minor
In West Virginia, the overall risk of becoming a victim of crime is minor. Specifically, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is low, and the risk of becoming a victim of property crime is minor.
What Are the Overall Crime Trends in West Virginia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Overall Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Crime | |
|---|---|
| WV State | 57 |
| U.S. Avg. | 50 |
Safety from Overall Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WV State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 57 | 50 |
| 2022 | 57 | 46 |
| 2021 | 52 | 45 |
| 2020 | 49 | 44 |
| 2019 | 51 | 45 |
| 2018 | 55 | 44 |
| 2017 | 47 | 42 |
Investigating West Virginia, with a crime rate focus discerns that for overall crime, the state’s status now, contrasted with the pre-pandemic period, is somewhat safer (+6 pts higher), slightly safer now from violent crime (+4 pts higher), and safer now from property crime (+11 pts higher).
Nationwide U.S. crime reports suggest that in dealing with overall crime, the U.S. now, compared to the pre-pandemic years, is somewhat safer (+6 pts higher), slightly safer now from violent crime (+4 pts higher), and somewhat safer now from property crime (+9 pts higher).
Learn more about West Virginia's violent crime and property crime in our detailed sections.
Violent Crime: How Safe or Dangerous Is West Virginia in 2024?
Safety Scores from Violent Crime, out of 100 points (2023)
With a 54/100 safety score from violent crime, West Virginia's safety is generally average, with highs and lows.
- Overall Violent Crime (safety score): 54
- Murder (safety score): 40
- Rape (safety score): 50
- Robbery (safety score): 89
- Aggravated Assault (safety score): 50
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from violent crime, this state is somewhat safer (+6 pts higher), similar from murder (no difference), somewhat more dangerous from rape (-5 pts lower), considerably safer from robbery (+31 pts higher), and somewhat safer from aggravated assault (+7 pts higher).
How Does West Virginia Rank in Violent Crime Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Violent Crime (safety ranking): 15th
- Murder (safety ranking): 20th
- Rape (safety ranking): 30th
- Robbery (safety ranking): 5th
- Aggravated Assault (safety ranking): 21st
Out of the 50 states in America (and D.C.), based on the most recent crime data, West Virginia state is ranked 15th in overall safety from violent crime, making it a comparatively safer state. In terms of individual categories of violent crime, West Virginia is ranked 20th on safety from murder, meaning it's a slightly safer state for this type of crime. With respect to safety from rape, this state is positioned 30th and is a slightly more dangerous state relative to others. Regarding safety from robbery, this state comes in at 5th place, indicating that it's a considerably safer state, and for safety from aggravated assault, it's ranked 21st, making it a slightly safer state.
Is Violent Crime Increasing or Decreasing in West Virginia?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores from Violent Crime (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Violent Crime (Year-on-Year): no change
- Murder (Year-on-Year): -5 percentage points
- Rape (Year-on-Year): +6 percentage points
- Robbery (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
- Aggravated Assault (Year-on-Year): +3 percentage points
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from violent crime, this state in 2023 is the same in terms of overall safety levels (unchanged), somewhat more dangerous from murder (-5 pts lower), somewhat safer from rape (+6 pts higher), slightly more dangerous from robbery (-1 pts lower), and slightly safer from aggravated assault (+3 pts higher).
What Is the Likelihood of Experiencing Violent Crime in West Virginia in 2024?
- Overall Violent Crime: Low
- Murder: Moderate
- Rape: Low
- Robbery: Negligible
- Aggravated Assault: Low
In West Virginia, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is low. Beware of Murder.
What Are the Violent Crime Trends in West Virginia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Violent Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Violent Crime | |
|---|---|
| WV State | 54 |
| U.S. Avg. | 48 |
Safety from Violent Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WV State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 54 | 48 |
| 2022 | 54 | 43 |
| 2021 | 48 | 41 |
| 2020 | 45 | 42 |
| 2019 | 49 | 44 |
| 2018 | 55 | 44 |
| 2017 | 47 | 43 |
Studying crime patterns in West Virginia indicates that for violent crime, the state compared to the pre-pandemic years, is slightly safer (+4 pts higher), slightly more dangerous now from murder (-1 pts lower), slightly safer now from rape (+4 pts higher), safer now from robbery (+10 pts higher), and somewhat safer now from aggravated assault (+7 pts higher).
When analyzing overall violent crime in the U.S., it's apparent that, compared to pre-pandemic figures, the nation currently, is slightly safer (+4 pts higher), slightly more dangerous now from murder (-1 pts lower), somewhat safer now from rape (+9 pts higher), safer now from robbery (+11 pts higher), and still on par with the 2017-2019 period in terms of safety from aggravated assault (unchanged).
What Are the Murder Trends in West Virginia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Murder: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Homicide | |
|---|---|
| WV State | 40 |
| U.S. Avg. | 40 |
Safety from Murder (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WV State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 40 | 40 |
| 2022 | 45 | 33 |
| 2021 | 35 | 30 |
| 2020 | 31 | 32 |
| 2019 | 38 | 41 |
| 2018 | 47 | 42 |
| 2017 | 39 | 40 |
What Are the Rape Trends in West Virginia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Rape: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Rape | |
|---|---|
| WV State | 50 |
| U.S. Avg. | 55 |
Safety from Rape (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WV State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 50 | 55 |
| 2022 | 44 | 49 |
| 2021 | 33 | 47 |
| 2020 | 41 | 51 |
| 2019 | 43 | 45 |
| 2018 | 49 | 45 |
| 2017 | 45 | 47 |
What Are the Robbery Trends in West Virginia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Robbery: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Robbery | |
|---|---|
| WV State | 89 |
| U.S. Avg. | 58 |
Safety from Robbery (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WV State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 89 | 58 |
| 2022 | 90 | 56 |
| 2021 | 89 | 56 |
| 2020 | 82 | 53 |
| 2019 | 83 | 50 |
| 2018 | 84 | 48 |
| 2017 | 69 | 43 |
What Are the Aggravated Assault Trends in West Virginia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Aggravated Assault: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Aggravated Assault | |
|---|---|
| WV State | 50 |
| U.S. Avg. | 43 |
Safety from Aggravated Assault (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WV State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 50 | 43 |
| 2022 | 47 | 41 |
| 2021 | 47 | 41 |
| 2020 | 39 | 40 |
| 2019 | 43 | 43 |
| 2018 | 45 | 44 |
| 2017 | 40 | 43 |
Property Crime: How Safe or Dangerous Is West Virginia in 2024?
Safety Scores from Property Crime, out of 100 points (2023)
With its 64/100 safety score from property crime, West Virginia offers satisfactory safety and a moderate rate of property crimes.
- Overall Property Crime (safety score): 64
- Burglary (safety score): 61
- Larceny (safety score): 69
- Auto Theft (safety score): 72
- Arson (safety score): 41
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from property crime, this state is safer (+11 pts higher), slightly safer from burglary (+3 pts higher), safer from larceny (+12 pts higher), considerably safer from auto theft (+33 pts higher), and slightly more dangerous from arson (-4 pts lower).
How Does West Virginia Rank in Property Crime Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Property Crime (safety ranking): 13th
- Burglary (safety ranking): 21st
- Larceny (safety ranking): 5th
- Auto Theft (safety ranking): 6th
- Arson (safety ranking): 31st
Across the 50 states in America (and D.C.), where crime figures are documented, West Virginia state is ranked 13th in overall safety from property crime, making it a comparatively safer state. In terms of individual categories of property crime, West Virginia is ranked 21st on safety from burglary, meaning it's a slightly safer state for this type of crime. With respect to safety from larceny, this state is positioned 5th and is a considerably safer state relative to others. Regarding safety from auto theft, this state comes in at 6th place, indicating that it's a considerably safer state, and for safety from arson, it's ranked 31st, making it a slightly more dangerous state.
Is Property Crime Increasing or Decreasing in West Virginia?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores from Property Crime (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Property Crime (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
- Burglary (Year-on-Year): -3 percentage points
- Larceny (Year-on-Year): +3 percentage points
- Auto Theft (Year-on-Year): -4 percentage points
- Arson (Year-on-Year): -5 percentage points
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from property crime, this state in 2023 is slightly more dangerous overall (-1 pts lower), slightly more dangerous from burglary (-3 pts lower), slightly safer from larceny (+3 pts higher), slightly more dangerous from auto theft (-4 pts lower), and somewhat more dangerous from arson (-5 pts lower).
What Is the Likelihood of Experiencing Property Crime in West Virginia in 2024?
- Overall Property Crime: Minor
- Burglary: Minor
- Larceny: Minor
- Auto Theft: Slight
- Arson: Moderate
In West Virginia, the risk of becoming a victim of property crime is minor. Beware of Arson.
What Are the Property Crime Trends in West Virginia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Property Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Property Crime | |
|---|---|
| WV State | 64 |
| U.S. Avg. | 53 |
Safety from Property Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WV State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 64 | 53 |
| 2022 | 65 | 51 |
| 2021 | 60 | 53 |
| 2020 | 57 | 49 |
| 2019 | 56 | 48 |
| 2018 | 55 | 45 |
| 2017 | 48 | 41 |
West Virginia's crime rate studies suggest that for property crime, the state compared to the pre-pandemic years, is safer (+11 pts higher), safer now from burglary (+17 pts higher), somewhat safer now from larceny (+8 pts higher), somewhat safer now from auto theft (+7 pts higher), and slightly safer now from arson (+1 pts higher).
When comparing current U.S. crime data to pre-pandemic levels, it's observed that, in terms of overall property crime, America now, is somewhat safer (+9 pts higher), safer now from burglary (+19 pts higher), somewhat safer now from larceny (+8 pts higher), more dangerous now from auto theft (-12 pts lower), and somewhat safer now from arson (+6 pts higher).
What Are the Burglary Trends in West Virginia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Burglary: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Burglary | |
|---|---|
| WV State | 61 |
| U.S. Avg. | 58 |
Safety from Burglary (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WV State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 61 | 58 |
| 2022 | 64 | 54 |
| 2021 | 61 | 53 |
| 2020 | 53 | 48 |
| 2019 | 50 | 44 |
| 2018 | 46 | 39 |
| 2017 | 34 | 32 |
What Are the Larceny Trends in West Virginia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Larceny: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Larceny | |
|---|---|
| WV State | 69 |
| U.S. Avg. | 57 |
Safety from Larceny (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WV State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 69 | 57 |
| 2022 | 66 | 54 |
| 2021 | 64 | 57 |
| 2020 | 64 | 54 |
| 2019 | 62 | 50 |
| 2018 | 62 | 49 |
| 2017 | 59 | 47 |
What Are the Auto Theft Trends in West Virginia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Auto Theft: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Auto Theft | |
|---|---|
| WV State | 72 |
| U.S. Avg. | 39 |
Safety from Auto Theft (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WV State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 72 | 39 |
| 2022 | 76 | 44 |
| 2021 | 70 | 48 |
| 2020 | 66 | 49 |
| 2019 | 67 | 52 |
| 2018 | 67 | 51 |
| 2017 | 60 | 50 |
What Are the Arson Trends in West Virginia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Arson: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Arson | |
|---|---|
| WV State | 41 |
| U.S. Avg. | 45 |
Safety from Arson (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WV State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 41 | 45 |
| 2022 | 46 | 40 |
| 2021 | 33 | 50 |
| 2020 | 30 | 33 |
| 2019 | 38 | 42 |
| 2018 | 42 | 39 |
| 2017 | 38 | 35 |
The assessments presented on this website, including those related to crime, safety, cost of living, and other location characteristics (e.g., states, cities, towns, villages, neighborhoods, areas, landmarks), are based on various sources and our internal research methods. These assessments are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete and should not be used as the sole basis for making any decisions.