Salem, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 75% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Salem Safe?
Yes — Salem is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Salem has a crime rate that is 40% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 418.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 418
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
37% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 100
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
46% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Salem 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
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Salem Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Salem Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Salem zip codes.
Salem Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Salem, WV?
Salem, WV has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 40% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 418 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 100 chance for property crime. Salem has lower crime than 75% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Salem, WV safe to live in?
Salem is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Salem is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Salem?
The estimated violent crime rate in Salem is 239.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 37% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 418 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.9 per 100K (42% below average); aggravated assault at 176.2 per 100K (34% below average); robbery at 37.9 per 100K (49% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Salem?
The estimated property crime rate in Salem is 996.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 46% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 100 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 162.9 per 100K (40% below average); larceny/theft at 644.3 per 100K (54% below average); vehicle theft at 188.9 per 100K (41% below average).
How does Salem crime compare to the national average?
Salem's overall crime rate is 40% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (34% below average), while larceny/theft is 54% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Salem has lower crime than 75% of them.
Is Salem safe to visit?
Salem is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 46% 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 Salem crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Salem's crime rate is 40% below the national average, making it safer the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Salem?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Salem, with an estimated rate of 644.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 54% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (996 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (239 per 100K) in Salem, which is consistent with national trends.