The 10 Safest Cities In West Virginia For 2021

The 10 Safest Cities In West Virginia For 2021

Built along the Ohio River, across the water from Ohio, New Martinsville sits in a rural region in the northwest part of West Virginia. It may look like your stereotypical small town, with a population of just 5,114 residents. However, New Martinsville has a special distinction: it ranks number 1 on the list of West Virginia's safest communities.

Over the course of a year, the town reported just 14 property crimes. This includes 5 burglaries. Violence is almost unheard of in New Martinsville. The area saw just 2 violent crimes in a year. That leads to a per-capita rate of 39/100k people, the third safest pace in West Virginia.

Economically speaking, New Martinsville has a median income of $43953. The median home price is $96000 and the unemployment rate is 6.84%.

Winfield, West Virginia, was named after a famous general - Mexican-American War hero Winfield Scott. Despite this connection to a bloody armed conflict, though, the town is far from a violent place. In fact, it's the number 2 safest location in West Virginia.

Officially incorporated in 1868, Winfield retains some of its historic charm. Visitors can check in at the James W. Hoge House to get a look at life in the area during the 19th century. These days, though, safety represents the key draw. The town had just 12 property crimes and 0 violent crimes during a year. In a population of 2,378, these figures equate to a total crime rate of 504/100k people.

Winfield is located along the Kanawha River, about a half hour's drive from the state capital of Charleston. Its median income comes in at $45964 and its median home price hovers at $127155.

3. Oak Hill

Slap a fluorescent orange safety jacket on this little village in West Virginia's southern coalfields and call them safe. Our third safest city, Oak Hill, is known for its scenic location, low taxes, and job opportunities. after all, it is the home to West Virginia's booming coal mining industry.

'The Hill' is a family friendly, safe Fayette County town just North of the Summit Bechtel Reserve that boasts convenient restaurants and stores and an occasional summer festival or two. It's a great place to raise a family. Word on the street is that young professionals are starting to take notice and move their direction. So don't wait, because the word is out.

Located in central Lewis County, Weston ranks as the fourth safest city in West Virginia. Weston is a bit of an oddity in terms of safety; the city actually had more violent crimes than property crimes in 2019. Weston had a property crime rate about 15 times lower than the national average, giving the city the safest rate in West Virginia. With a property crime rate so low, it's unlikely that anyone will pull a heist at the the Museum of American Glass in Weston.

5. Weirton

Weirton is the ideal destination when you're trying find that true West Virginia feel with small city vibes. This is definitely one of the reasons it has held strong from last year to be our fifth safest city in "the WV".

It might not be Beverly Hills, but this little town with a vibrant downtown scene, unforgettable summer festivals, and year-round fun is just as notable and just as safe. Probably why it's one of the most populous towns in West Virginia's northern panhandle region. This city, on the Ohio River, is known for its low crime and A+ education rating. There is a sense of true community in this little village in Hancock County.

Weirton is the kind of place where packages from Amazon won't get stolen from your front porch when you're not home. But, hey, what do you expect from this safe city that is "The Gateway to the Valley."

Located in the northern part of the state, just across the Ohio River from Ohio, Wellsburg ranks as the sixth safest place in the Mountain State. Wellsburg had just one violent crime in 2019, giving the city a violent crime rate ten times lower than the national average. So you don't need to take self-defense classes before going for a jog at Brooke Hills Park.

Wellsburg also had the eighth safest rate of property crime in the state, with only 22 instances occurring all year. Wellsburg also got solid scores on our snackability scale for affordability, jobs, and amenities, making it an all-around sweet place to call home.

Williamson, West Virginia, is a coal and railroad town. In fact, the town's most famous building is the Coal House, a structure made of 65 tons of coal.

The community has other benefits as well, ones far more important than a building made of fossil fuel. Williamson stands as the number 7 safest population center in West Virginia.

There were only 2 property crimes during a year. Given the area's population of 2,694, that leads to a per-capita rate of 74/100k people. Violent crime is almost as rare. Williamson suffered just 6 such violations in a year.

Sitting along the Tug Fork River, on the border with Kentucky, Williamson has a median income of $45964 and an unemployment rate of 7.65%.

No points for guessing how White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, originally drew tourists. That's right: it's water. And the area's famous springs eventually led to the building of The Greenbriar, a luxury resort and well-known golf destination.

And when big shots arrive to hit the links, they can walk around town sure that their wallets are safe. White Sulphur Springs stands as the number 8 safest communities in West Virginia. The town had 12 property crimes in a year, including just 3 burglaries.

As far as violence is concerned, the safety record as even better. A year saw just 5 such events. In a population of 2,395, that equates to a per-capita rate of 208/100k people.

White Sulphur Springs has a median income of $45964. The median home price sits at $127155.

Where West Virginia State Road 9 meets West Virginia State Road 340 is Charles Town. This town, known for its bootlegging stories from the late 1800s, is our ninth safest city in West Virginia 2021.

All bootlegging aside, Charles Town is also known for its safe, family friendly atmosphere. There is a ton of stuff to do in this little town of 6,000 residents in the tiny tip of Jefferson County. They have a boat load of places to shop and dine, and their immaculate parks provide the backdrop for safe, friendly games of basketball, volleyball, and tennis for all ages.

So grab the fam, pack up the pick-up, and get moving so you don't miss out on any of their safe, family friendly, activities scheduled for 2021.

Summersville, West Virginia, suffered a devastating fire during the Civil War, the result of arson set by a Confederate agent. Don't worry, though. Those kinds of acts aren't an issue in modern-day Summersville. In fact, it ranks as the number 10 safest places to live in West Virginia.

The town saw 107 property crimes during a year. Given the area's population of 3,292, this leads to a per-capita rate of 3,250/100k people, the 16th safest healthiest pace in the state.

Situated in the center of the state, Summerville has other charming attractions as well. It boasts abundant outdoor activities at the Summersville Lake State Wildlife Area and hosts an annual Potato Festival.

Where Are The 10 Safest Cities In West Virginia For 2021?