Is Charleston or Dothan Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charleston is safer than Dothan (Safety Score 11/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,665 per 100,000 versus 3,678 for Dothan — 0% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dothan has a 46% lower rate.
Charleston — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dothan — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, WV
Dothan, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Dothan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,664.7 | 3,677.9 | -13.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.8 | 912.8 | -368.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.0 | 7.0 | +6.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.4 | 68.7 | -10.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.1 | 53.3 | +0.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 417.3 | 783.8 | -366.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,119.9 | 2,765.1 | +354.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 655.1 | 364.6 | +290.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,281.0 | 2,268.7 | +12.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 183.8 | 131.8 | +52.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Dothan safer?
Charleston is safer with a total crime rate of 3,665 per 100K vs 3,678 for Dothan — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 544.8 per 100K while Dothan has 912.8. Charleston has lower violent crime.
About Charleston, WV
Charleston, WV, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers. Once a major hub for the salt and coal industries, its population is around 47,000. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 46,252, Charleston has a total crime rate of 3,664.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Dothan, AL
Dothan, Alabama, the "Peanut Capital of the World," is a city in Houston County with a population of around 70,000. It serves as a regional hub for commerce and healthcare in the Wiregrass Region of southeast Alabama. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 71,318, Dothan has a total crime rate of 3,677.9 per 100,000 residents.