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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, South Charleston, WV has a Safety Score of 2/100 — higher crime than 98% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 6,008.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,916 of 2,971 US cities and #11 of 12 in West Virginia.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is South Charleston, West Virginia Safe?
South Charleston, a Kanawha Valley city, is home to the Mound, an ancient Adena burial site. Situated along the Kanawha River, it has historically been a hub for chemical manufacturing.
South Charleston has a safety score of 2/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 6,008.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
South Charleston ranks #11 out of 12 cities in West Virginia and #2916 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 2nd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 98% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in South Charleston is larceny-theft, at 5,061.8 per 100K — 3.1x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, South Charleston's total crime rate increased by 14.7%, with violent crime declining 13.3%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
South Charleston Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 64 | 488.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 3 | 22.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 22.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 58 | 442.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 723 | 5,519.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 37 | 282.5 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 663 | 5,061.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 23 | 175.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
South Charleston vs West Virginia Average
How does South Charleston's crime rate compare to the West Virginia state average?
| Metric | South Charleston | West Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 488.6 | 498.5 | -2.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,519.9 | 2,991.1 | +84.5% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.8 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 6,008.6 | 3,489.6 | +72.2% |
South Charleston Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for South Charleston, West Virginia.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13,098 | 6,008.6 | 488.6 | 5,519.9 |
| 2023 | 12,946 | 5,237.1 | 563.9 | 4,673.3 |
| 2022 | 13,138 | 5,350.9 | 631.8 | 4,719.1 |
| 2021 | 11,884 | 5,562.1 | 446.0 | 5,116.1 |
| 2020 | 11,898 | 6,253.2 | 437.1 | 5,816.1 |
| 2019 | 12,094 | 6,523.9 | 339.0 | 6,184.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Charleston, West Virginia safe?
South Charleston has a safety score of 2/100, meaning it has less crime than about 2% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 6,008.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, South Charleston is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in South Charleston, West Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, South Charleston has a violent crime rate of 488.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 5,519.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does South Charleston compare to the national average?
South Charleston's total crime rate of 6,008.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 13,098 residents.
What types of crime are most common in South Charleston?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in South Charleston include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is South Charleston safe to visit?
Like any city, South Charleston has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 2/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.