Shepherdstown, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 71% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Shepherdstown Safe?
Yes — Shepherdstown has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Shepherdstown has a crime rate that is 37% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 278.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 278
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
6% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 54
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
1% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Shepherdstown 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
|
91 | -9% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
118 | +18% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
115 | +15% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
92 | -8% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
95 | -5% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Shepherdstown Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Shepherdstown Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Shepherdstown zip codes.
Shepherdstown Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Shepherdstown, WV?
Shepherdstown, WV has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 37% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 278 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 54 chance for property crime. Shepherdstown has lower crime than 71% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Shepherdstown, WV safe to live in?
Shepherdstown 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 Shepherdstown is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Shepherdstown?
The estimated violent crime rate in Shepherdstown is 359.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 6% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 278 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.6 per 100K (9% below average); aggravated assault at 229.0 per 100K (15% below average); robbery at 86.9 per 100K (18% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Shepherdstown?
The estimated property crime rate in Shepherdstown is 1,847.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 1% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 54 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 248.5 per 100K (8% below average); larceny/theft at 1,328.8 per 100K (5% below average); vehicle theft at 270.0 per 100K (15% below average).
How does Shepherdstown crime compare to the national average?
Shepherdstown's overall crime rate is 37% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (18% above average), while assault is 15% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Shepherdstown has lower crime than 71% of them.
Is Shepherdstown safe to visit?
Shepherdstown is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 1% above 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 Shepherdstown crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Shepherdstown's crime rate is 37% below the national average, making it safer the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Shepherdstown?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Shepherdstown, with an estimated rate of 1,328.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 5% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,847 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (359 per 100K) in Shepherdstown, which is consistent with national trends.