South Charleston, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 80% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is South Charleston Safe?
South Charleston has a crime rate that is 42% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 422.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 422
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
38% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 71
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
23% lower than national average
South Charleston 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
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
74 | -26% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
South Charleston Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
South Charleston Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific South Charleston zip codes.
South Charleston Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in South Charleston, WV?
South Charleston, WV has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 42% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 422 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 71 chance for property crime. South Charleston has lower crime than 80% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is South Charleston, WV safe to live in?
South Charleston 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 South Charleston is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in South Charleston?
The estimated violent crime rate in South Charleston is 236.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 422 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.9 per 100K (43% below average); aggravated assault at 173.6 per 100K (35% below average); robbery at 41.3 per 100K (44% below average).
What is the property crime rate in South Charleston?
The estimated property crime rate in South Charleston is 1,404.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 23% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 71 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 196.9 per 100K (27% below average); larceny/theft at 973.5 per 100K (31% below average); vehicle theft at 234.5 per 100K (26% below average).
How does South Charleston crime compare to the national average?
South Charleston's overall crime rate is 42% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (26% below average), while robbery is 44% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, South Charleston has lower crime than 80% of them.
Is South Charleston safe to visit?
South Charleston is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 23% 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 South Charleston crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. South Charleston's crime rate is 42% below the national average, making it safer the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in South Charleston?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in South Charleston, with an estimated rate of 973.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 31% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,405 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (237 per 100K) in South Charleston, which is consistent with national trends.