Jefferson County Crime & Safety

Jefferson County, West Virginia

Safety Score

70/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

708.1

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

94.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

613.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

70/100

Higher = safer

State avg 63/100

State Safety Rank

#29

of 55 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Jefferson County, West Virginia

Jefferson County Leads with Low Crime Rates

Jefferson County presents a very safe profile with a total crime rate of only 708.1 per 100,000 residents. This figure is vastly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns an impressive safety score of 98.9, reflecting its status as one of the safest regions in the United States.

A Top Safety Performer in West Virginia

With a total crime rate of 708.1, Jefferson County is significantly safer than the West Virginia state average of 949.0. Its safety score of 98.9 also beats the state average of 98.5. Nine reporting agencies work together to keep the Eastern Panhandle's crime levels consistently low.

Safer than Most Regional Peers

Jefferson County’s rate of 708.1 is significantly lower than more urbanized counties like Marion or Harrison. Even compared to nearby agricultural counties, Jefferson maintains a highly competitive safety standing. Its position as a gateway to the state is marked by remarkably low incident reports.

Minimal Violent Crime Across the County

Violent crime in Jefferson County is extremely rare, with a rate of 94.8 compared to the national average of 369.8. Property crime stands at 613.3, which is also a fraction of the national 2,015.7 average. This data indicates that residents face very little risk of both theft and physical harm.

Keep Your Community Safe and Secure

While crime rates are low, Jefferson residents can maintain this safety by utilizing smart home technology like doorbell cameras. Keeping vehicles locked and valuables out of sight prevents the opportunistic property crimes that do occur. Constant communication with the nine local law enforcement agencies ensures the county remains a safe haven.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Jefferson County, WV?

Jefferson County has a total crime rate of 708.1 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (94.8 per 100K) and property crimes (613.3 per 100K).

Is Jefferson County, WV safe?

Jefferson County has a safety score of 70/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #29 out of 55 counties in West Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

How does Jefferson County crime compare to the West Virginia average?

What types of crime are most common in Jefferson County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Jefferson County?

Crime data for Jefferson County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

Why is Jefferson County safer than the West Virginia average?

Jefferson County has a safety score of 70/100, which is above the West Virginia average of 63/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.