Violent
Property
Total
Morgantown, WV Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 30,510
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Morgantown, West Virginia Safe?
Morgantown has a safety score of 60/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,173.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Morgantown ranks #3 out of 12 cities in West Virginia and #1908 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 36th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 64% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Morgantown is murder, at 13.1 per 100K — 2.1x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.1x the national rate.
Year over year, Morgantown's total crime rate decreased by 14.8%, with violent crime declining 38.5%.
Morgantown Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 65 | 213.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 4 | 13.1 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 18 | 59.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 19.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 36 | 118.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 598 | 1,960.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 35 | 114.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 552 | 1,809.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 11 | 36.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Morgantown vs West Virginia Average
How does Morgantown's crime rate compare to the West Virginia state average?
| Metric | Morgantown | West Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 213.0 | 498.5 | -57.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,960.0 | 2,991.1 | -34.5% |
| Murder Rate | 13.1 | 6.8 | +91.9% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,173.1 | 3,489.6 | -37.7% |
Morgantown Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Morgantown, West Virginia.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30,510 | 2,173.1 | 213.0 | 1,960.0 |
| 2023 | 30,331 | 2,551.8 | 346.2 | 2,205.7 |
| 2022 | 29,279 | 2,735.8 | 290.3 | 2,445.4 |
| 2021 | 31,079 | 2,689.9 | 286.4 | 2,403.6 |
| 2020 | 30,775 | 2,313.6 | 214.5 | 2,099.1 |
| 2019 | 31,281 | 1,777.4 | 214.2 | 1,563.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morgantown, West Virginia safe?
Morgantown has a safety score of 60/100. With a total crime rate of 2,173.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Morgantown is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Morgantown, West Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Morgantown has a violent crime rate of 213.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,960.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Morgantown compare to the national average?
Morgantown's total crime rate of 2,173.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 30,510.
What types of crime are most common in Morgantown?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Morgantown include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Morgantown safe to visit?
Like any city, Morgantown has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 60/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.