11 Most Dangerous Cities in West Virginia
- Beckley
- South Charleston
- Charleston
- Nitro
- Wheeling
- Parkersburg
- Vienna
- Huntington
- Moorefield
- Morgantown
- Bluefield
Beckley
The most dangerous city in West Virginia is Beckley. With a population of 16,749, Beckley is located in Raleigh County and is home to the West Virginia University Institute of Technology, as well as annexes of Concord University and the University of Charleston. Crime rates in Beckley are 263% higher than the national average, giving residents a 1 in 12 chance of becoming a victim of crime. The main issue contributing to this high crime rate is drug activity.
South Charleston
South Charleston, a city in Kanawha County, West Virginia, is considered a dangerous city with crime rates 127% higher than the national average. With a population of 13,175, it is serviced by Interstate 64, U.S. Route 60, U.S. Route 119, West Virginia Route 601, and West Virginia Route 214, and lies adjacent to the Kanawha River. Residents face a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a victim of crime, with larceny, theft, and burglary being the most common offenses.
Charleston
Next on our list of the most dangerous cities in West Virginia is Charleston. Located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers, Charleston is the capital and most populous city of West Virginia with a population of 47,129. Yeager Airport and the University of Charleston are in the city. Charleston's crime rates are 104% higher than the national average, giving you a 1 in 22 chance of becoming a victim of crime. Murder, rape, and burglaries are the most common crimes here.
Nitro
Nitro is also one of the worst cities in West Virginia due to its high crime rate. Nitro is located in Kanawha and Putnam counties in West Virginia and is home to 6,458 people. Named after a World War I era nitrocellulose plant, Nitro has crime rates 80% higher than the national average. Residents have a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim of crime, with larceny being the most common offense. Because of this, it's advisable to avoid Nitro if you are in West Virginia.
Wheeling
Wheeling, established as a town in 1795, lies along the Ohio River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It has a population of 26,391 and was West Virginia’s first state capital. Unfortunately, crime rates in Wheeling are 57% higher than the national average, with residents having a 1 in 28 chance of becoming a victim. The main issues in Wheeling are assaults and frauds.
Parkersburg
Parkersburg, located at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers, is known for its high crime rates, which are 68% higher than the national average. With a population of 29,193, residents have a 1 in 26 chance of becoming a victim of crime, with assault, threatening violence, and battery being the most common. Despite its dangers, Parkersburg attracts thousands of foodies and wine lovers each year to the annual Taste of Parkersburg event downtown.
Vienna
Vienna is a city in Wood County, West Virginia, located along the Ohio River and next to Parkersburg. With a population of 10,506, it ranks number seven on our list of most dangerous cities in West Virginia. Vienna's crime rates are 64% higher than the national average, giving residents a 1 in 27 chance of becoming a victim of crime. The most common crime in Vienna is larceny, contributing significantly to its high crime rate.
Huntington
Huntington is one of the worst cities in West Virginia for drugs, having suffered heavily since the beginning of the opioid epidemic. Huntington is located in Cabell and Wayne counties in West Virginia. It has a population of 45,746. It serves as a crucial rail-to-river transfer point for the marine transportation industry and is home to the Port of Huntington Tri-State, the second-busiest inland port in the United States. However, crime rates in Huntington are 48% higher than the national average, with a 1 in 30 chance of becoming a victim of crime, mainly due to assaults and robberies.
Moorefield
Moorefield, a town and the county seat of Hardy County, West Virginia, is the 9th most dangerous city on our list. With a population of 2,495, it is the fourth-oldest town in West Virginia. Moorefield's crime rates are 28% higher than the national average, giving residents a 1 in 34 chance of becoming a victim of crime. Motor vehicle theft, arson, larceny, and burglary are the most common crimes here.
Morgantown
Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County and serves as its county seat. It has a population of 30,277 and is home to West Virginia University, the largest institution of higher education in the state. Morgantown's crime rates are 17% higher than the national average, with residents having a 1 in 37 chance of becoming a victim of crime. Suicide and shootings are the most common issues in this city.
Bluefield
Bluefield, a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, wraps up our list of most dangerous cities in the state. With a population of 9,408, it sits at the crossroads of U.S. routes 19, 460, 21, and 52. While its overall crime rates are 36% lower than the national average, violent crimes are alarmingly 276% higher. Residents face a 1 in 68 chance of becoming a crime victim. Drug abuse and poverty remain prevalent issues in this community.