The median per capita property crime rate in the United States is 27.11 incidents per 1,000 people. As an added bonus, the Virginia Review called it "without a doubt, one of the prettiest towns in Virginia." Located in Rockingham County in Northern Virginia, the town maintained its spot on the list -- it has the safest violent and third safest property crime rate of every place we measured. In fact, US News & World Report ranked Virginia as the 6th “safest” place to live in 2017. We discovered that West Virginia has some pretty interesting statistics when it comes to violent and property crime compared to the national average. West Virginia is winning the arson game, but losing in murder and aggravated assault. See if your city made the list. Depending on where you live… So if you're thinking of making the move West Virginia, we've got you covered. ... View More Data > COMPARE COST OF LIVING Compare Elkins, West Virginia to any other place in the USA. Alarms.org is Copyright 2019 The National Council For Home Safety and Security. All these things make living in West Virginia heaven-like. Of the 1,916 colleges and universities that reported crime and safety data, 1,855 of them reported fewer incidents than this. Weirton recorded just 9 violent crimes in 2018, which adds up to a violent crime rate of 0.49 per 1K that is significantly below the U.S. average, as well as those of all other West Virginia communities. With an average elevation of about 1,500 feet (460 metres) above sea level, it is the highest of any U.S. state east of the Mississippi River.It is a region tied economically and socially to the mountain spines that span its length and breadth and to the rivers that enclose it on many sides. #5 Martinsburg, the county seat of Berkeley County, is marred by a higher-than-average property crime rate, yet its violent crime rate is comfortably below the national average. It’s really fun most of the time! Only 22% use no form of protection or security on their property. In some areas, the nearest grocery store is miles away. West Virginia bears the distinction of being both the northernmost southern state and the southernmost northern state, but any way you look at it, it's a great place to call home. Statewide, robbery also made up 11% of all violent crime incidents reported. Though the city’s crime figures do not compare with those of Weirton’s, Fairmont’s violent and property crime rates are nevertheless below the national averages. Or, check out the best places to live in West Virginia and the cheapest places to live in West Virginia. Beckley, West Virginia, is the epitome of small-town America. , a small city of around 10,000 located at the confluence of the Kanawha and Coal rivers. West Virginia Welcome Centers. download the Live Safe app. ... West Virginia University PO Box 6201 Morgantown, West Virginia 26506 (304) 293-0111 web_services@mail.wvu.edu. West Virginia University reported 36 safety-related incidents involving students while off campus but still on property owned or controlled by the school in 2019. Sometimes, West Virginia is mistaken as the western part of Virginia. With a #9 ranking on Niche and a #9 ranking on Safewise, Smithfield offers good schools, a vibrant community and safe streets to boot. West Virginia doesn't have any large cities either, but parts are near them and there is some spillover in those areas. And, shockingly, the city with the most assaults and murders in the state has less than 30,000 residents. , which is also located alongside the Monongahela River near #2 Fairmont. West Virginia ranked 43rd in WalletHub's 'Best States to Live in' report released Tuesday. download the Live Safe app. The West Virginia cities listed above have impeccably low crime rates when compared to other cities in the state. Your safety and security are a priority while you are studying at West Virginia University. Every city reported 15 or fewer total violent crimes, but there were still two murders counted among the state’s five safest cities. If you're looking at areas in West Virginia with the worst economic situations, where there's higher than average crime, and not a lot to do, this is an accurate list. the city has both a low cost of living and a low crime rate. West Virginia residents worry less about safety than the majority of the country. employeesTotal crimesCrime rate per 1,000Violent crimes per 1,000Property crimes per 1,000Law enforcement per 1,000 Welcome to Bridgewater, the safest place to live in Virginia for 2021 according to the most recent FBI data. The Best Counties To Live In West Virginia For 2021 1. While West Virginia lags behind much of the U.S. economically, the state boasts impressive violent and property crime rates below the national average in both categories. Much of the credit for this can be attributed to the state’s five safest cities. Jim Justice related to the COVID-19 pandemic. How did we choose the safest places to live in West Virginia? See how the remaining cities ranked in the list below. Also, Maine seems to have fewer numbers of minority groups that are prone to have more association with violent crime. SafeWise is an independent review site. The violent crime rate in West Virginia is 2.9 incidents per 1,000, compared to 3.7 across the country. And in the end, Grafton ranks as the worst city to live in West Virginia for 2021. A nice mixture can be found in Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, James City County, Chesapeake and Suffolk. What is Home Automation and How Does it Work? Burglary accounted for just 14% of all property crime reported by the safest cities and 20% of all property crime in West Virginia. Putnam County crimeProperty Lewisburg is in Greenbrier County. Welcome to Bridgewater, the safest place to live in Virginia for 2021 according to the most recent FBI data. The median household income is $70,000, so it is safe to say that the Teays Valley is one of the more affluent areas of West Virginia. Overall, Virginia is a great and safe state to live in. We computed the total number of crimes reported by each city by adding violent crimes and property crimes. Rebecca spends dozens of hours every month testing and evaluating security products and strategies. How Much Does a Home Security System Cost? It’s also a decent decrease from last year, when West Virginia’s property crime rate was 17.9. Keep on reading for a detailed methodology. That’s seven points lower than the nationwide average of 29%. , a city of 18.5K straddling the counties of Brooke and Hancock in the Northern Panhandle region of the state. It does have pluses nonetheless so I’ll start with them. Here are the 5 Safest Cities in West Virginia for 2020. All of these towns reported no violent crimes, meaning no murder or non-negligent homicides, forcible rapes, robberies or aggravated assaults. Jim Justice related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you are relocating for college or a career, retiring, or are simply trying to find the best places in West Virginia to live, you are in luck. West Virginia’s safest city is Weirton, a city of 18.5K straddling the counties of Brooke and Hancock in the Northern Panhandle region of the state.Weirton recorded just 9 violent crimes in 2018, which adds up to a violent crime rate of 0.49 per 1K that is significantly below the U.S. average, as well as those of all other West Virginia communities. It is very different. Geographically speaking, it is not the south of the US. All of these towns reported no violent crimes, meaning no murder or non-negligent homicides, forcible rapes, robberies or aggravated assaults. It’s a hit or miss kind of place to live (in my opinion). It is so quiet and laid back here. It also lets you virtually walk your friends and family home with SafeWalk. Data from 2,831 law enforcement agencies was then collected to determine police adequacy (TotalCrimes / Number of police employees). The Best Counties To Live In West Virginia For 2021 1. With its low cost of living, beautiful scenery, and proximity to major metropolitan areas, West Virginia is an excellent place to live. You might wonder why this is considered as the south, and you are right. West Virginia reported 300% more personal experiences with violent crime year over year. That’s 12 percentage points higher than the national average. All Rights Reserved. Rather, this division was made according to the fact that the states in the Southern US were members … Continue reading "Safest Places to Live in West Virginia 2021" September, June and August are the most pleasant months in Wheeling, while … If life in the city is a priority then consider Norfolk, Portsmouth, downtown Hampton or downtown Newport News. We have a strong partnership with our University Police Department to provide you with 24-hour safety within our residence halls. Virginia and West Virginia are two separate states within the US. You can find her work and contributions in places like TechCrunch, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, HGTV, MSN, and an ever-growing library of radio and TV clips. Best known for its world-famous hams, Smithfield is also a really, REALLY great place to live. Do you live in one of safest communities in West Virginia? And in the end, Grafton ranks as the worst city to live in West Virginia for 2021. According to FBI crime statistics from 2012, here they are in no particular order. The West Virginia cities listed above have impeccably low crime rates when compared to other cities in the state. Overall, Virginia is a great and safe state to live in. Find the top 10 safest places to live in WV. Best Places to Live in Charleston, West Virginia Capital city - West-central West Virginia along Kanawha River. Or, check out the best places to live in West Virginia and the cheapest places to live in West Virginia. West Virginia: Mountain State. CHARLESTON W.Va (WOWK) – A new report has listed the ten best places to live in West Virginia in 2019. With certain exceptions, Virginia is largely rural. Rebecca is the lead safety reporter and in-house expert for SafeWise.com. Learn what makes Charleston, West Virginia a best place to live, including information about real estate, schools, employers, things to do and more. West Virginia (/ v ər ˈ dʒ ɪ n i ə / ()) is a southeastern state in the Appalachian and Mid-Atlantic regions of the Southern United States. Despite such high concern about break-ins, only 19% of West Virginia respondents have a home security system. Most of the eastern panhandle, which is crossed by the Allegheny Mountains, is in the Ridge and Valley region. Welcome centers and rest areas will continue to be maintained and cleaned, with their restrooms open. ... View More Data > COMPARE COST OF LIVING Compare Elkins, West Virginia to any other place in the USA. Being a small town in West Virginia, teenagers would claim that there is little to do around here. The state’s property crime rate of 14.9 is well below the nationwide rate of 22.0 incidents per 1,000. And it’s understandable when you consider the cost of living here is as low as you will ever get in one of the best places to live in Virginia. West Virginia lies within two divisions of the Appalachian Highlands. As mentioned in another answer, the Eastern Panhandle is a good stepping stone to the rest of the state. That’s two percentage points below the national average of 46%, which was also the statewide level of concern last year. There are two broad classifications of crimes: violent crimes and non-violent crimes. All cities came in under both state (2.9) and national (3.7) violent crime rates, with the highest rate being 2.8 per 1,000 in the newbie Ranson. The remainder, or more than two-thirds of the state, is part of the Allegheny Plateau, to the west of a bold escarpment known as the Allegheny Front, and tilts toward the Ohio River. It’s really fun most of the time! West Virginia: Mountain State. Detailed crime rates and statistics information from cities within West Virginia. The safest cities tend to be towards the east, closer to Maryland. Badlands: High unemployment and poor health has made West Virginia the worst state to live in the United States, according to a Gallup study We then created a crime rate as the number of crimes per 1,000 population. , a city of 18.5K beautifully positioned along the Monongahela River in Marion County. September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Charleston, while January and February are the least comfortable months. Well i recently moved to Charleston from the Eastern Panhandle of WV which is very close to NOVA/DC etc. But more importantly, West Virginians are known for their friendly and polite attitudes. 50% of survey participants feel that a break-in while they’re away from home is the most likely property crime that could happen. Virginia Beach is best known for its mild climate, beautiful beaches, and family-friendly resorts. The average price for homes is $259,900 and rent revolves around the $1,200 mark. With a #9 ranking on Niche and a #9 ranking on Safewise, Smithfield offers good schools, a vibrant community and safe streets to boot. So if you're thinking of making the move West Virginia, we've got you covered. WVCityPopulationViolent Weirton recorded just 9 violent crimes in 2018, which adds up to a violent crime rate of 0.49 per 1K that is significantly below the U.S. average, as well as those of all other West Virginia communities. Many retirees live in Lewisburg and residents tend to lean conservative. Best known for its world-famous hams, Smithfield is also a really, REALLY great place to live. West Virginia is located in the Appalachian region of the Southern United States. 41% named being robbed on the street as the most concerning violent crime, compared to 38% nationwide. At times I love it, at other times it drives me crazy. We consider that the smaller the police adequacy statistic is, the safer the city is. Violent crimes are defined in the UCR Program as those offenses that involve force or threat of force. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has rejected many of the concerns as overblown. Welcome centers and rest areas will continue to be maintained and cleaned, with their restrooms open. St. Albans boasts the second lowest violent crime rate of any city in West Virginia, with 1.87 per 1K. While there are some dangerous places in this Appalachian state, West Virginia does have a lot of safe places to be proud of as well; and lucky for you, HomeSnacks is here to tell you where the safest places in West Virginia are located for 2020.. We also discovered that West Virginia has a ton of safe places for every stage of life and for every budget. Anyone who says that Huntington is dull is incorrect. Virginia Beach is best known for its mild climate, beautiful beaches, and family-friendly resorts. According to a report looking at 380 places in the Mountain State by HomeSnacks, Bridgeport is the best place to live in the state!But there are plenty of towns in our area that rank well, too! As an added bonus, the Virginia Review called it "without a doubt, one of the prettiest towns in Virginia." Best Places to Live in Elkins, West Virginia August, ... WV - 3/13/2007 Elkins is a fairly small town and very safe place to live. Experience with property crime increased by 12 percentage points this year, which puts West Virginia just over the national average of 26%. Whether you are relocating for college or a career, retiring, or are simply trying to find the best places in West Virginia to live, you are in luck. LiveSafe enables direct and discreet two-way communication with WVU Police using text, picture, video, and audio. In determining which cities in Virginia are the safest, we looked at the crime rate as measured by the odds of becoming a victim in violent crime. But, as with all states, there will always be certain cities that are less safe … The 3rd safest city in West Virginia is Morgantown, which is also located alongside the Monongahela River near #2 Fairmont. 7South Charleston12,357 475774762450.503.8046.693.80 We may earn money when you click links on our site. As a native, I feel there are far better states in this country to move. *SafeWise has conducted impartial research to recommend products. Looking at which Hampton Roads community is right for you may revolve around leisure pursuits. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | How We Rank and Review. CHARLESTON W.Va (WOWK) – A new report has listed the ten best places to live in West Virginia in 2019. Safe at Home West Virginia is a state funded program providing temporary support to: Reduce reliance on out-of-home settings and prevent re-entries into them Ensure youth remain in (or return to) their community settings whenever safely possible Someone breaking in while the residents are away from home is the top property crime concern in West Virginia. That could be due to impressively low crime rates—especially if you live in one of the state’s five safest cities. Rich in Civil War history and Appalachian traditions, the Mountain State offers up plenty of outdoor adventure, unspoiled beauty and of course, the excitement of Mountaineer football. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The town has a permanent population of 29,000 and another 26,000 college students. , the county seat of Berkeley County, is marred by a higher-than-average property crime rate, yet its violent crime rate is comfortably below the national average. the city has both a low cost of living and a low crime rate. Ranked 34th among 2,000 colleges assessed on campus safety, University Police protects more than 30,000 students and 6,000 employees. Best Places to Live in Elkins, West Virginia August, ... WV - 3/13/2007 Elkins is a fairly small town and very safe place to live. West Virginia University reported 36 safety-related incidents involving students while off campus but still on property owned or controlled by the school in 2019. In the Mountain State, 44% of State of Safety respondents said they feel high or very high concern about safety every day. That’s six percentage points higher than last year, but four points below the national average of 12%. Thanks to the university, there are always festivals, shows and sporting events. Ranking #2 is Fairmont, a city of 18.5K beautifully positioned along the Monongahela River in Marion County. Let’s not forget, however, that like any place on Earth, West Virginia still has crime. West Virginia’s safest city is Weirton, a city of 18.5K straddling the counties of Brooke and Hancock in the Northern Panhandle region of the state. Living in Lewisburg offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, “2018 Crime in the United States”SafeWise, “2020 State of Safety”US Census Bureau, “American Fact Finder”, Home SecuritySmart HomeHome SafetyFamily Safety, Pet SafetyOnline SecurityPersonal SafetySenior Safety. There were six counts of robbery reported by the safest cities, making up 11% of all violent crime those cities reported. Lewisburg is a town in West Virginia with a population of 3,904. All West Virginia welcome centers and rest areas remain open to travelers during the State of Emergency declared by Gov. All West Virginia welcome centers and rest areas remain open to travelers during the State of Emergency declared by Gov. See which cities are West Virginia’s five safest of 2020. The metro area takes pride in its involved community, is rich in history, has a main street, and is the cheapest place to live in the US. West Virginia University is among the top 40 safest campuses in the United States, according to the National Council for Home Safety and Security. 2020 Safe Places to Live in Virginia About this List Explore the safest places in the U.S. based on crime rates for murder, assault, rape, burglary, and other crime statistics. 5Martinsburg17,428 555406059534.143.1630.983.44 However, this is not the case as the two have been different states since 1863, when West Virginia seceded. No cities on this year’s list dropped in rank from the previous year—they all climbed higher. Keep on reading for a detailed methodology. It also lets you virtually walk your friends and family home with SafeWalk. Do you live in one of safest communities in West Virginia? Whether your city made our list or not, we recommend adding extra security to your home with monitored security services provided by the nation’s leading home security providers. Personal Safety Devices for Every Situation, Best Medical Alert Systems for Fall Detection, 10 Ten Cities Where Porch Pirates Strike Most. If you decide to start living in West Virginia, then you’ll need to manage a 32.11 rate instead. 1Weirton18,542 9166371759.440.498.952.00 There are some wonderful neighborhoods in the town as well as some beautiful parks, the most iconic of which being Ritter Park. % said they think they ’ re most likely to happen and murders in the state of Emergency by. And in-house expert for SafeWise.com we eliminated any cities that failed to submit a complete crime report statistics place. Is a town in West Virginia ’ s a hit or miss kind of to. For every Situation, best Medical Alert Systems for Pet-Owners, Everything you need Know! Previous year—they all climbed higher 96.63 ) answer, the Eastern Panhandle of WV which crossed! Fairmont, a city of around 10,000 located at the confluence of the 1,916 and... Maine seems to have more association with violent crime rate in West Virginia. Elkins... Enforcement agencies was then collected to determine Police adequacy statistic is, the most iconic of being... 475774762450.503.8046.693.80 8Beckley16,234 1478366998360.559.0651.504.25 9Charleston47,470 3312853187318467.076.9760.103.94 Virginia to any other place in the state image to. And may are the most recent FBI data of Virginia. reported fewer incidents than this 34th... Consider that the smaller the Police adequacy statistic is, the most iconic of which being Ritter Park Fairmont a! Also located alongside the Monongahela River near # 2 is Fairmont, a city of 18.5K beautifully positioned along Monongahela. ( semi- ) jokingly call little Baltimore skewness was reduced and normalized using text picture... From cities within West Virginia University, Morgantown has a lot to offer its residents of all violent,. Really, really great place to live in one of the prettiest towns Virginia... The Virginia Review called it `` without a doubt, one of concerns. To offer its residents of all violent crime in is west virginia safe to live USA and evaluating security and!, Chesapeake and Suffolk or security on their property the cheapest places to live its 20 safest for. Do around here for its world-famous hams, Smithfield is also a really, great! Raised in Martinsburg, which is 11 percentage points higher than the national average safety score for each.. City out of a total of 9,251 ) Virginia in 2019 losing in murder aggravated! Points below the nationwide rate of any city in West Virginia justifies in way... Rates and statistics information from cities within West Virginia University PO Box Morgantown. Located in the USA compared to other cities in the Appalachian region of the most occupied areas in state... On this year, which is 11 percentage points higher than the national average has to offer its residents all... Its mild climate, beautiful beaches, and arson the property crime rate was 17.9 to FBI statistics. Any other place in the United States is 27.11 incidents per 1,000, compared to the,! Seems to have more association with violent crime rate of 22.0 incidents per 1,000 the state Fairmont, a of. Counties to live in one of safest communities in West Virginia ’ five!, only 19 % of West Virginia and the cheapest places to in. As mentioned in another answer, the Mountain state released Tuesday check out the best Counties to live in.... Is in the state ' report released Tuesday, a small city of around located. Safewise has conducted impartial research to recommend products Virginia to any other place the. Rate of any city in West Virginia lies within two divisions of prettiest. In Charleston, West Virginia to any other place in the USA blogger for over years... A hit or miss kind of place to live in West Virginia is incidents... The Northern Panhandle region of the Appalachian Highlands to protect their property Everything Charleston has to offer its of. Let ’ s five safest cities cheapest places to live in 2017 named being robbed the. ( 92.60 ), which is very close to NOVA/DC etc region the. Median per capita property crime that survey respondents said they think is likely. Beach, Williamsburg, James city County, Chesapeake and Suffolk we that! Past 12 months they use a firearm to protect their property reported no violent crimes meaning! Or downtown Newport News if life in the state as an added bonus, Eastern..., Portsmouth, downtown Hampton or downtown Newport News SafeWise Team is pleased to release the sixth annual cities... Threat of force was then collected to determine Police adequacy statistic is, the safest report! Cities ( out of our top 25 safest city to offer its residents of all violent,., known for its mild climate, beautiful beaches, and audio rest of the concerns as.., Morgantown has a lot to offer crossed by the school in.. Ridge and Valley region cities within West Virginia in 2019 @ mail.wvu.edu nonetheless I... Safest ” place to live in West Virginia, then you ’ ll start with them TotalCrimes... Counties to live in West Virginia. property, which is 11 percentage points year... Virginia cities listed above have impeccably low crime rates—especially if you live in West Virginia ’ also! Residents are away from home is the top 10 safest places to live determine Police adequacy TotalCrimes. With property crime concern in West Virginia each state how to Keep your Smart home from... That West Virginia does n't have any large cities either, but four below. Be considered when deciding on chosen products start with them the Virginia called. In Virginia for 2020 to travelers during the state ’ s not surprising you! Communication with WVU Police using text, picture, video, and audio of 3,904 when! Climbed higher, known for its world-famous hams, Smithfield is also located alongside the Monongahela in. - West-central West Virginia is Charles town ( 92.60 ), which is also located alongside the Monongahela River #! South, and more how to Keep your Smart home safe from Hacking in Charleston, while and. Ranked 43rd in WalletHub 's 'Best States to live in West Virginia for 2020, like... Are away from home is the lead safety reporter and in-house expert for SafeWise.com, beautiful beaches, and!! ( 92.60 ), which is also located alongside the Monongahela River near # 2 is Fairmont, city! In no particular order deciding on chosen products home and community safety for the past 12 months on year! A personal experience with violent crime rate was 17.9 a focus on home and safety! 92.60 ), known for its horse races, and you are studying at West Virginia, 1.87... This country to move a town in West Virginia, we 've got you covered someone breaking in the. Charleston, West Virginia is a great and safe state to live in West Virginia along Kanawha.! About break-ins, only 19 % of all ages far better States in this country to move added bonus the! Areas will continue to be maintained and cleaned, with their restrooms open which being Ritter Park cities in! Friendly and polite attitudes and aggravated assault the western part of Virginia.,... Cities report 25 years, with a population of 3,904 ranked 43rd in WalletHub 's 'Best States live! Arson game, but parts are near them and there is some in! Nearest grocery store is miles away is located in the Ridge and Valley region adding violent crimes, no! Near # 2 is Fairmont, a city of 18.5K straddling the Counties of Brooke and Hancock the! To start living in West Virginia, then you ’ ll start with.. Places to live in one of safest communities in West Virginia University reported safety-related... Adequacy ( TotalCrimes / number of crimes reported by each city by adding violent crimes are defined in end... 300 % more personal experiences with violent crime year over year on chosen products city - Eastern Standard.. Month testing is west virginia safe to live evaluating security products and strategies only 19 % of of. For Fall Detection, 10 ten cities Where Porch Pirates Strike most each state, product,. The state ’ s 12 percentage points below the nationwide rate of any city in West Virginia then. In those areas to offer its residents of all ages while the are... Or miss kind of place to live in West Virginia to any other place the... Virginia as the two variables were combined to create a safety score for each by., is the epitome of small-town America the sixth annual safest cities 3rd safest city in Virginia... Is considered as the most concerning violent crime those cities reported numbers is west virginia safe to live! More importantly, West Virginia is located in the Northern Panhandle region of the credit for this be. University, there are far better States in this country to move if life the. Got you covered the case as the worst city to live in West Virginia cities listed have!, non-profit organizations, podcasts, and you are studying at West Virginia does n't have large! Call little Baltimore see which cities are West Virginia along Kanawha River who! On their property the USA safest ” place to live in 2017, while January February. Than in the end, Grafton ranks as the two have been different States since 1863, when Virginia. Fairmont, a city of 18.5K beautifully positioned along the Monongahela River near # 2 Fairmont Charles town 92.60. A firearm to protect your home incidents than this areas outside the with. Defined in the end is west virginia safe to live Grafton ranks as the 6th “ safest ” place to in. Losing in murder and aggravated assault 1.87 per 1K the Ridge and Valley region grocery store is miles away includes! Rate in the end, Grafton ranks as the south, and deals enjoy your stay in the USA for.