Athens, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Athens Safe?
Yes — Athens is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Athens has a crime rate that is 53% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 577.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 577
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
54% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 184
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
70% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Athens Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
40 | -60% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
36 | -64% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
25 | -75% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
20 | -80% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Athens Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Athens Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Athens zip codes.
Athens Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Athens, WV?
Athens, WV has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 53% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 577 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 184 chance for property crime. Athens has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Athens, WV safe to live in?
Athens is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Athens is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Athens?
The estimated violent crime rate in Athens is 173.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 54% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 577 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.0 per 100K (60% below average); aggravated assault at 127.1 per 100K (53% below average); robbery at 32.2 per 100K (56% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Athens?
The estimated property crime rate in Athens is 544.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 70% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 184 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 135.4 per 100K (50% below average); larceny/theft at 346.8 per 100K (75% below average); vehicle theft at 62.2 per 100K (80% below average).
How does Athens crime compare to the national average?
Athens's overall crime rate is 53% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (50% below average), while vehicle theft is 80% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Athens has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Athens safe to visit?
Athens is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 70% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Athens crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Athens's crime rate is 53% below the national average, making it safer the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Athens?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Athens, with an estimated rate of 346.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 75% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (544 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (173 per 100K) in Athens, which is consistent with national trends.