Welch, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 43% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Welch Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Welch has a crime rate that is 13% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 280.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 280
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
6% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 44
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
25% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Welch 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
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
98 | -2% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
120 | +20% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
114 | +14% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Welch Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Welch Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Welch zip codes.
Welch Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Welch, WV?
Welch, WV has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 13% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 280 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 44 chance for property crime. Welch has lower crime than 43% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Welch, WV safe to live in?
Welch has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Welch is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Welch?
The estimated violent crime rate in Welch is 357.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 6% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 280 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.4 per 100K (11% below average); aggravated assault at 262.2 per 100K (2% below average); robbery at 60.4 per 100K (18% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Welch?
The estimated property crime rate in Welch is 2,288.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 25% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 44 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 239.5 per 100K (11% below average); larceny/theft at 1,686.3 per 100K (20% above average); vehicle theft at 363.0 per 100K (14% above average).
How does Welch crime compare to the national average?
Welch's overall crime rate is 13% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (20% above average), while robbery is 18% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Welch has lower crime than 43% of them.
Is Welch safe to visit?
Visitors to Welch should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 25% 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 Welch crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Welch's crime rate is 13% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Welch?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Welch, with an estimated rate of 1,686.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 20% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,289 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (357 per 100K) in Welch, which is consistent with national trends.