Preston County Crime & Safety

Preston County, West Virginia

Safety Score

79/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

496.9

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

55.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

441.4

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

79/100

Higher = safer

State avg 63/100

State Safety Rank

#12

of 55 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Preston County, West Virginia

Preston County Safety Outpaces the Nation

Preston County holds a strong safety score of 99.2. Its total crime rate of 496.9 per 100,000 residents is nearly five times lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This makes it one of the more secure places to live in the country.

Strong Public Safety Performance in West Virginia

Preston County's safety score of 99.2 is well above the state average of 98.5. At 496.9 crimes per 100,000 people, the county’s crime rate is almost half the West Virginia average of 949.0. Eight reporting agencies coordinate to keep these numbers consistently low.

Preston County Safety versus Local Neighbors

Preston County is safer than neighboring Nicholas County, which reports a rate of 995.0 per 100,000. It is roughly equal in safety to Putnam County, which reports a crime rate of 488.3. This regional consistency provides a secure corridor for local residents.

Violent Crime remains Remarkably Low

The violent crime rate is just 55.5 per 100,000, far below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is more common at 441.4, yet still represents a low risk compared to most U.S. counties. Residents primarily deal with non-violent property incidents.

Effective Ways to Secure Preston Homes

Property crimes at 441.4 per 100,000 are the main area where residents can take action. Simple measures like dusk-to-dawn lighting and smart locks are effective deterrents. Regular home security checks help maintain the county's reputation for safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Preston County, WV?

Preston County has a total crime rate of 496.9 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (55.5 per 100K) and property crimes (441.4 per 100K).

Is Preston County, WV safe?

Preston County has a safety score of 79/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #12 out of 55 counties in West Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Preston County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Preston County?

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

Preston County has a safety score of 79/100, 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.