WV · 2 cities
Dangerous neighborhoods in West Virginia
West Virginia recorded 282 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2023, 27% below the national rate and down 11% since 2022. We cover Charleston and Huntington. Each guide breaks down the specific blocks, transit points and hours where a little more attention pays off.
Charleston
HuntingtonFBI data · 2023
Most dangerous cities in West Virginia, ranked
The 2 West Virginia cities we cover, ordered by their official violent crime rate: murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 residents. 2 of 2 run above the state average of 282. A high citywide rate doesn't make a whole city unsafe: crime clusters in a few areas, and each guide above shows where.
| # | City | Violent per 100k | Property per 100k | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntington2025 | 670 | 3,366 | 44,500 |
| 2 | Charleston | 608 | 3,820 | 46,390 |
| West Virginia average | 282 | 1,241 | ||
| US average | 386 |
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, offenses reported by each city's police department per 100,000 residents; most cities use 2023 data, and a small year next to a name marks a different latest complete year. Only cities with a neighborhood guide are included, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. How we rank cities.
West Virginia crime: frequently asked questions
What is the most dangerous city in West Virginia?
Of the 2 West Virginia cities in our ranking, Huntington has the highest violent crime rate: 670 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.5 times the state average. Charleston comes next. Even in Huntington, crime is concentrated in a few areas, and our Huntington guide shows which ones.
Is West Virginia safe to visit?
For most visitors, yes, with ordinary precautions. West Virginia recorded 282 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2023, 27% below the national rate of 386. Crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods and hours rather than spread evenly, so knowing where those areas are matters more than the statewide figure; our 2 city guides cover them block by block.
Is crime going up or down in West Virginia?
Violent crime in West Virginia went from 298 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2022 to 265 in 2025, down 11%. Property crime went from 1,336 to 1,085 over 2022–2025, down 19%.
Where do these crime figures come from?
From the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which collects the offenses reported by each police department. Rates are offenses per 100,000 residents, so cities of different sizes can be compared, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. Our methodology explains the details.