Violent
Property
Total
Wheeling, WV Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 25,951
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Wheeling, West Virginia Safe?
Wheeling has a safety score of 45/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,974.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Wheeling ranks #6 out of 12 cities in West Virginia and #2381 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 20th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 80% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Wheeling is aggravated assault, at 874.7 per 100K — 2.7x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Wheeling's total crime rate decreased by 1.6%.
Wheeling Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 255 | 982.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 14 | 54.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 14 | 54.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 227 | 874.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 517 | 1,992.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 145 | 558.8 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 343 | 1,321.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 29 | 111.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Wheeling vs West Virginia Average
How does Wheeling's crime rate compare to the West Virginia state average?
| Metric | Wheeling | West Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 982.6 | 498.5 | +97.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,992.2 | 2,991.1 | -33.4% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.8 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,974.8 | 3,489.6 | -14.8% |
Wheeling Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Wheeling, West Virginia.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25,951 | 2,974.8 | 982.6 | 1,992.2 |
| 2023 | 26,104 | 3,022.5 | 992.2 | 2,030.3 |
| 2022 | 26,244 | 3,658.0 | 1,246.0 | 2,412.0 |
| 2021 | 26,081 | 2,856.5 | 1,039.1 | 1,817.4 |
| 2020 | 26,222 | 3,493.3 | 1,258.5 | 2,234.8 |
| 2019 | 26,562 | 3,128.5 | 952.5 | 2,176.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wheeling, West Virginia safe?
Wheeling has a safety score of 45/100. With a total crime rate of 2,974.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Wheeling is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Wheeling, West Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Wheeling has a violent crime rate of 982.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,992.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Wheeling compare to the national average?
Wheeling's total crime rate of 2,974.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 25,951.
What types of crime are most common in Wheeling?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Wheeling include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Wheeling safe to visit?
Like any city, Wheeling has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 45/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.