Putnam County Crime & Safety

Putnam County, West Virginia

Safety Score

79/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

488.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

69.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

418.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

79/100

Higher = safer

State avg 63/100

State Safety Rank

#11

of 55 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Putnam County, West Virginia

Putnam County Stands High for National Safety

Putnam County maintains a high safety score of 99.2 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 488.3 per 100,000 is about 20% of the national average of 2,385.5. These figures demonstrate a consistently low-crime environment for the local population.

Public Safety Leader in West Virginia

With a crime rate of 488.3, Putnam County is significantly safer than the West Virginia average of 949.0. Its 99.2 safety score beats the state average of 98.5. Eight local agencies work to ensure the county remains a secure place for families.

Putnam County Safety Relative to Neighbors

Putnam County’s rate of 488.3 per 100,000 is slightly better than Preston County's 496.9. It also outperforms Morgan County’s rate of 527.9. The county serves as a regional benchmark for maintaining low crime statistics.

Low Rates for Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime is extremely low at just 69.8 per 100,000 residents. Property crime stands at 418.5, which is also well below national levels. This means that serious crimes are quite rare for most Putnam County citizens.

Simple Security Habits for Putnam Residents

While property crime is low at 418.5 per 100,000, basic home protection is still recommended. Installing a home alarm system or video doorbell can provide an extra layer of defense against theft. Community vigilance keeps Putnam County one of the safest in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Putnam County, WV?

Putnam County has a total crime rate of 488.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (69.8 per 100K) and property crimes (418.5 per 100K).

Is Putnam County, WV safe?

Putnam 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 #11 out of 55 counties in West Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Putnam County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Putnam County?

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

Putnam 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.