Beckley, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 37% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Beckley Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Beckley has a crime rate that is 5% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 273.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 273
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
4% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 48
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
14% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Beckley 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
|
94 | -6% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
102 | +2% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
80 | -20% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
109 | +9% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
102 | +2% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Beckley Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Beckley Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Beckley zip codes.
Beckley Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Beckley, WV?
Beckley, WV has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 5% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 273 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 48 chance for property crime. Beckley has lower crime than 37% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Beckley, WV safe to live in?
Beckley has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Beckley is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Beckley?
The estimated violent crime rate in Beckley is 366.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 4% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 273 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.7 per 100K (6% below average); aggravated assault at 272.5 per 100K (2% above average); robbery at 62.7 per 100K (15% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Beckley?
The estimated property crime rate in Beckley is 2,088.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 14% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 48 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 242.0 per 100K (10% below average); larceny/theft at 1,522.6 per 100K (9% above average); vehicle theft at 323.9 per 100K (2% above average).
How does Beckley crime compare to the national average?
Beckley's overall crime rate is 5% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (9% above average), while rape is 20% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Beckley has lower crime than 37% of them.
Is Beckley safe to visit?
Visitors to Beckley should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 14% above 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 Beckley crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Beckley's crime rate is 5% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Beckley?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Beckley, with an estimated rate of 1,522.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 9% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,089 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (367 per 100K) in Beckley, which is consistent with national trends.