Parkersburg, WV Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parkersburg, WV safe?

By the numbers, Parkersburg earns an overall crime grade of A-, which places it among the safer mid-sized cities in West Virginia. That grade reflects a favorable balance between violent and property crime rates relative to comparable communities. The city's population density of 974 people per square mile is relatively low, which generally correlates with fewer opportunity-based crimes. That said, no city is crime-free, and pockets of higher activity do exist — particularly in commercial corridors and certain downtown-adjacent blocks. Residents who regularly consult the Parkersburg crime map and stay engaged with neighborhood watch programs consistently report feeling secure in their day-to-day routines.

What is the crime rate in Parkersburg?

Parkersburg's A- overall crime grade signals that crime rates here are meaningfully below the national average for cities of similar size. Property crimes — including theft and vehicle break-ins — account for the largest share of reported incidents citywide, a pattern typical of communities with a 22.1% poverty rate and a 7.2% unemployment rate, both of which are economic stress indicators linked to opportunistic offenses. Violent crime, while present, contributes a much smaller proportion of total incidents and tends to be concentrated in specific zip codes rather than spread evenly across all neighborhoods. The city's median home value of $89,846 and median rent of $671 reflect an affordable housing market that attracts a stable, long-term resident base — a demographic factor associated with lower crime turnover.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Parkersburg?

While granular block-level grades shift with each reporting period, the crime map consistently shows that residential areas away from the highest-density commercial zones carry lighter incident concentrations. Neighborhoods on the city's southern and western edges, including areas near the Southside corridor, tend to record lower shares of both property and violent crime reports. The historic district and riverfront areas attract steady foot traffic and community investment, which research links to natural crime deterrence. For the most current neighborhood-level breakdown — including which areas are trending toward improvement — filtering the interactive crime map by incident type and date range gives the clearest picture. The A- citywide grade means that even average-performing neighborhoods here compare favorably to many peer cities nationally.

Is Parkersburg a good place to live?

For households weighing cost of living against safety, Parkersburg presents a compelling case. A median home value of $89,846 and median rent of just $671 per month make it one of the more affordable markets in the region, while the A- crime grade confirms that affordability does not come at the expense of safety. The city's median household income of $37,933 and a poverty rate of 22.1% do reflect economic challenges that the community is actively working to address — and those indicators are worth weighing alongside the crime data. On the positive side, Parkersburg's position along the Ohio River supports outdoor recreation, its historic downtown anchors a growing local economy, and a population of roughly 68,217 keeps the community intimate enough for genuine neighborhood connections. Families and professionals who prioritize low housing costs, manageable commutes, and an above-average safety profile frequently cite Parkersburg as a strong fit.

How does Parkersburg's crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?

Parkersburg's A- overall crime grade positions it favorably within West Virginia, a state where several larger urban centers carry notably higher crime burdens. The city's combination of relatively low population density (974 per sq mi), active community policing, and stable long-term residency patterns helps keep both violent and property crime rates in check. While the 7.2% unemployment rate and 22.1% poverty rate are above national medians — factors that nationally correlate with elevated crime risk — Parkersburg's actual crime outcomes outperform what those economic indicators alone might predict, suggesting that community cohesion and local enforcement strategies are making a measurable difference.