McDowell County Crime & Safety

McDowell County, West Virginia

Safety Score

84/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

386.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

158.6

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

227.4

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

84/100

Higher = safer

State avg 63/100

State Safety Rank

of 55 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in McDowell County, West Virginia

McDowell Boasts a Remarkable Safety Profile

McDowell County features a safety score of 99.4, reflecting its low total crime rate of 386.0 per 100K. This rate is a mere fraction of the national average, which stands at 2,385.5 per 100K.

One of West Virginia’s Safest Counties

McDowell ranks as one of the safest counties in the state, easily beating the state safety score average of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 386.0 is less than half the state average of 949.0.

Tranquility Compared to Regional Hubs

McDowell is safer than neighboring Mercer County, where the crime rate reaches 1,184.3 per 100K. It offers a very quiet environment compared to the higher activity seen in nearby regional hubs.

Low Rates Across All Crime Categories

Violent crime accounts for 158.6 incidents per 100K, while property crime is slightly higher at 227.4. These numbers show that McDowell residents experience very low levels of both personal and property-related offenses.

Consistency is Key for Home Security

Low crime rates should not lead to complacency in your personal security routine. Keeping high-value items out of sight and securing entry points preserves the peace of mind McDowell is known for.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for McDowell County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for McDowell County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in McDowell County, WV?

McDowell County has a total crime rate of 386.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (158.6 per 100K) and property crimes (227.4 per 100K).

Is McDowell County, WV safe?

McDowell County has a safety score of 84/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #8 out of 55 counties in West Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

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

McDowell ranks as one of the safest counties in the state, easily beating the state safety score average of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 386.0 is less than half the state average of 949.0.

What types of crime are most common in McDowell County?

How is crime data measured and reported for McDowell County?

Crime data for McDowell 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 McDowell County safer than the West Virginia average?

McDowell County has a safety score of 84/100, 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.