Princeton, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 83% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Princeton Safe?
Yes — Princeton is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Princeton has a crime rate that is 44% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 460.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 460
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
43% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 77
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
29% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Princeton 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
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Princeton Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Princeton Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Princeton zip codes.
Princeton Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Princeton, WV?
Princeton, WV has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 44% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 460 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 77 chance for property crime. Princeton has lower crime than 83% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Princeton, WV safe to live in?
Princeton 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 Princeton is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Princeton?
The estimated violent crime rate in Princeton is 217.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 460 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.0 per 100K (40% below average); aggravated assault at 155.8 per 100K (42% below average); robbery at 40.7 per 100K (45% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Princeton?
The estimated property crime rate in Princeton is 1,306.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 29% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 77 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 149.7 per 100K (44% below average); larceny/theft at 948.3 per 100K (32% below average); vehicle theft at 208.7 per 100K (35% below average).
How does Princeton crime compare to the national average?
Princeton's overall crime rate is 44% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (32% below average), while rape is 47% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Princeton has lower crime than 83% of them.
Is Princeton safe to visit?
Princeton is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 29% 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 Princeton crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Princeton's crime rate is 44% below the national average, making it safer the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Princeton?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Princeton, with an estimated rate of 948.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 32% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,307 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (217 per 100K) in Princeton, which is consistent with national trends.