Wetzel County Crime & Safety

Wetzel County, West Virginia

Safety Score

74/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

630.6

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

346.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

284.1

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

74/100

Higher = safer

State avg 63/100

State Safety Rank

#20

of 55 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Wetzel County, West Virginia

Wetzel County Exceeds National Safety Standards

Wetzel County enjoys a safety score of 99.0, driven by a total crime rate of only 630.6 per 100,000. This rate is nearly four times lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Residents live in one of the safer jurisdictions in the country according to 2022 statistics.

Outperforming the West Virginia Average

Wetzel County's total crime rate of 630.6 per 100,000 is much lower than the state average of 949.0. The county's safety score of 99.0 also beats the state average of 98.5. Five reporting agencies contribute to this data, illustrating a strong commitment to public safety.

Wetzel County Leads Regional Safety Trends

Wetzel County maintains a lower total crime rate (630.6) than neighbors like Wood County (2211.9). This makes Wetzel a regional standout for overall low crime activity. Despite being smaller, its safety metrics are among the most favorable in the northern part of the state.

The Balance of Crime in Wetzel

Uniquely, Wetzel’s violent crime rate of 346.5 per 100,000 is higher than the state average of 213.9, though still below the national average. Conversely, its property crime rate is exceptionally low at 284.1 per 100,000. This data suggests that while property is very secure, interpersonal safety requires more attention.

Focus on Personal and Home Safety

With property crime rates being very low, Wetzel residents are already in a strong position. Improving home lighting and maintaining neighborhood watch programs can help address broader safety concerns. Awareness of your surroundings remains the most effective way to stay safe.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Wetzel County, WV?

Wetzel County has a total crime rate of 630.6 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (346.5 per 100K) and property crimes (284.1 per 100K).

Is Wetzel County, WV safe?

Wetzel County has a safety score of 74/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #20 out of 55 counties in West Virginia for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Wetzel County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Wetzel County?

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

Wetzel County has a safety score of 74/100, 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.