Paw Paw, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Paw Paw Safe?
Yes — Paw Paw is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Paw Paw has a crime rate that is 51% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 592.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 592
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
56% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 169
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
68% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Paw Paw 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
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
35 | -65% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
40 | -60% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
27 | -73% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
24 | -76% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Paw Paw Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Paw Paw Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Paw Paw zip codes.
Paw Paw Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Paw Paw, WV?
Paw Paw, WV has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 51% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 592 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 169 chance for property crime. Paw Paw has lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Paw Paw, WV safe to live in?
Paw Paw 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 Paw Paw is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Paw Paw?
The estimated violent crime rate in Paw Paw is 168.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 56% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 592 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.1 per 100K (57% below average); aggravated assault at 127.8 per 100K (52% below average); robbery at 25.7 per 100K (65% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Paw Paw?
The estimated property crime rate in Paw Paw is 592.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 68% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 169 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 133.1 per 100K (51% below average); larceny/theft at 383.8 per 100K (73% below average); vehicle theft at 75.4 per 100K (76% below average).
How does Paw Paw crime compare to the national average?
Paw Paw's overall crime rate is 51% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (51% below average), while vehicle theft is 76% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Paw Paw has lower crime than 97% of them.
Is Paw Paw safe to visit?
Paw Paw is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 68% 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 Paw Paw crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Paw Paw's crime rate is 51% below the national average, making it safer the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Paw Paw?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Paw Paw, with an estimated rate of 383.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 73% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (592 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (169 per 100K) in Paw Paw, which is consistent with national trends.