Lester, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Lester Safe?
Yes — Lester is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Lester has a crime rate that is 47% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 446.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 446
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
41% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 132
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
59% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Lester 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
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
31 | -69% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Lester Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Lester Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Lester zip codes.
Lester Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Lester, WV?
Lester, WV has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 47% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 446 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 132 chance for property crime. Lester has lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Lester, WV safe to live in?
Lester 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 Lester is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Lester?
The estimated violent crime rate in Lester is 224.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 41% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 446 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.8 per 100K (44% below average); aggravated assault at 150.1 per 100K (44% below average); robbery at 48.3 per 100K (35% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Lester?
The estimated property crime rate in Lester is 759.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 59% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 132 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 149.9 per 100K (44% below average); larceny/theft at 434.0 per 100K (69% below average); vehicle theft at 175.8 per 100K (45% below average).
How does Lester crime compare to the national average?
Lester's overall crime rate is 47% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (31% below average), while larceny/theft is 69% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lester has lower crime than 87% of them.
Is Lester safe to visit?
Lester is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 59% 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 Lester crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Lester's crime rate is 47% below the national average, making it safer the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Lester?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lester, with an estimated rate of 434.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 69% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (760 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (224 per 100K) in Lester, which is consistent with national trends.