Palestine, 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 Palestine Safe?
Yes — Palestine is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Palestine has a crime rate that is 53% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 582.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 582
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
55% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 200
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
73% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Palestine 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
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
30 | -70% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
42 | -58% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
20 | -80% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
22 | -78% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Palestine Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Palestine Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Palestine zip codes.
Palestine Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Palestine, WV?
Palestine, 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 582 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 200 chance for property crime. Palestine has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Palestine, WV safe to live in?
Palestine 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 Palestine is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Palestine?
The estimated violent crime rate in Palestine is 171.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 55% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 582 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.2 per 100K (57% below average); aggravated assault at 133.4 per 100K (50% below average); robbery at 22.0 per 100K (70% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Palestine?
The estimated property crime rate in Palestine is 501.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 73% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 200 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 145.8 per 100K (46% below average); larceny/theft at 285.5 per 100K (80% below average); vehicle theft at 69.9 per 100K (78% below average).
How does Palestine crime compare to the national average?
Palestine's overall crime rate is 53% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (46% below average), while larceny/theft is 80% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Palestine has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Palestine safe to visit?
Palestine is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 73% 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 Palestine crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Palestine'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 Palestine?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Palestine, with an estimated rate of 285.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 80% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (501 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (172 per 100K) in Palestine, which is consistent with national trends.