Safest Cities in West Virginia 2024
Average Crime Rate
National Average
Combined Population
Overview: Safest Cities in West Virginia
These 5 cities have the lowest crime rates in West Virginia, based on 2024 FBI data. The safest cities average just 3,340 crimes per 100,000 residents — -21% below the national average of 2,752.
The top 3 safest cities are Morgantown (WV, crime rate: 2,173), Wheeling (WV, crime rate: 2,975), and Parkersburg (WV, crime rate: 3,481).
Full Rankings
| # | City | State | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morgantown | WV | 30,510 | 2,173.1 | 213.0 | 1,960.0 | 60/100 |
| 2 | Wheeling | WV | 25,951 | 2,974.8 | 982.6 | 1,992.2 | 45/100 |
| 3 | Parkersburg | WV | 28,815 | 3,480.8 | 263.8 | 3,217.1 | 36/100 |
| 4 | Charleston | WV | 46,252 | 3,664.7 | 544.8 | 3,119.9 | 33/100 |
| 5 | Huntington | WV | 44,860 | 4,404.8 | 802.5 | 3,602.3 | 19/100 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest city in West Virginia?
Morgantown, WV is the safest city in West Virginia with a total crime rate of 2,173.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024.
How are the safest cities determined?
Cities are ranked by total crime rate (violent + property crime) per 100,000 residents using 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Only cities with 25,000+ residents are included.
What crime rate is considered safe?
Cities on this list average 3,340 crimes per 100,000 residents, well below the national average of 2,752. Generally, a rate under 2,000 per 100K is considered low.