Is Charleston or Parkersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Parkersburg is safer than Charleston (Safety Score 13/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,481 per 100,000 versus 3,665 for Charleston — 5% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Parkersburg has a 100% lower rate.
Charleston — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Parkersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, WV
Parkersburg, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Parkersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,664.7 | 3,480.8 | +183.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.8 | 263.8 | +281.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.0 | 0.0 | +13.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.4 | 65.9 | -7.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.1 | 20.8 | +33.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 417.3 | 173.5 | +243.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,119.9 | 3,217.1 | -97.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 655.1 | 315.8 | +339.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,281.0 | 2,720.8 | -439.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 183.8 | 180.5 | +3.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Parkersburg safer?
Parkersburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,481 per 100K vs 3,665 for Charleston — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 544.8 per 100K while Parkersburg has 263.8. Parkersburg 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 Parkersburg, WV
Parkersburg, a city in Wood County, sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers. Once a key stop on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, it has a dwindling population of just under 30,000 residents. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 28,815, Parkersburg has a total crime rate of 3,480.8 per 100,000 residents.