Gay, 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 Gay Safe?
Yes — Gay is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Gay has a crime rate that is 54% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 463.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 463
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
43% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 177
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
69% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Gay 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
|
35 | -65% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
74 | -26% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
21 | -79% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
23 | -77% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Gay Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Gay Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Gay zip codes.
Gay Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Gay, WV?
Gay, WV has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 54% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 463 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 177 chance for property crime. Gay has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Gay, WV safe to live in?
Gay 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 Gay is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Gay?
The estimated violent crime rate in Gay is 216.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 463 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 1.7 per 100K (65% below average); aggravated assault at 141.2 per 100K (47% below average); robbery at 48.5 per 100K (34% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Gay?
The estimated property crime rate in Gay is 565.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 69% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 177 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 204.0 per 100K (24% below average); larceny/theft at 288.5 per 100K (79% below average); vehicle theft at 73.2 per 100K (77% below average).
How does Gay crime compare to the national average?
Gay's overall crime rate is 54% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (24% below average), while larceny/theft is 79% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Gay has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Gay safe to visit?
Gay is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 69% 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 Gay crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Gay's crime rate is 54% below the national average, making it safer the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Gay?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Gay, with an estimated rate of 288.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 79% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (566 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (216 per 100K) in Gay, which is consistent with national trends.