Wellsburg, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 92% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Wellsburg Safe?
Yes — Wellsburg is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Wellsburg has a crime rate that is 49% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 504.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 504
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
48% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 89
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
39% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Wellsburg 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
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Wellsburg Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Wellsburg Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Wellsburg zip codes.
Wellsburg Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Wellsburg, WV?
Wellsburg, WV has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 49% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 504 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 89 chance for property crime. Wellsburg has lower crime than 92% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Wellsburg, WV safe to live in?
Wellsburg 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 Wellsburg is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Wellsburg?
The estimated violent crime rate in Wellsburg is 198.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 48% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 504 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.8 per 100K (45% below average); aggravated assault at 140.7 per 100K (48% below average); robbery at 40.0 per 100K (46% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Wellsburg?
The estimated property crime rate in Wellsburg is 1,118.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 39% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 89 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 135.1 per 100K (50% below average); larceny/theft at 796.9 per 100K (43% below average); vehicle theft at 186.6 per 100K (41% below average).
How does Wellsburg crime compare to the national average?
Wellsburg's overall crime rate is 49% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (41% below average), while rape is 55% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Wellsburg has lower crime than 92% of them.
Is Wellsburg safe to visit?
Wellsburg is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 39% 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 Wellsburg crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Wellsburg's crime rate is 49% below the national average, making it safer the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Wellsburg?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Wellsburg, with an estimated rate of 796.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 43% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,119 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (199 per 100K) in Wellsburg, which is consistent with national trends.