Paynesville, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 100% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Paynesville Safe?
Yes — Paynesville is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Paynesville has a crime rate that is 55% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 489.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 489
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
46% 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?
Paynesville 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
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
32 | -68% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Paynesville Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Paynesville Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Paynesville zip codes.
Paynesville Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Paynesville, WV?
Paynesville, WV has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 55% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 489 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 132 chance for property crime. Paynesville has lower crime than 100% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Paynesville, WV safe to live in?
Paynesville 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 Paynesville is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Paynesville?
The estimated violent crime rate in Paynesville is 204.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 46% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 489 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.3 per 100K (55% below average); aggravated assault at 134.7 per 100K (50% below average); robbery at 41.6 per 100K (44% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Paynesville?
The estimated property crime rate in Paynesville is 756.4 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 175.5 per 100K (35% below average); larceny/theft at 445.3 per 100K (68% below average); vehicle theft at 135.6 per 100K (57% below average).
How does Paynesville crime compare to the national average?
Paynesville's overall crime rate is 55% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (23% below average), while larceny/theft is 68% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Paynesville has lower crime than 100% of them.
Is Paynesville safe to visit?
Paynesville 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 Paynesville crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Paynesville's crime rate is 55% below the national average, making it safer the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Paynesville?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Paynesville, with an estimated rate of 445.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 68% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (756 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (205 per 100K) in Paynesville, which is consistent with national trends.