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D

Is Beckley, West Virginia Safe?

Population 16,373 · Safer than 19% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Beckley has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 258.7 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,701 per 100K.

Beckley Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBeckleyWest Virginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate349.3321.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2237.92050.21,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate285.0--268.2
Theft Rate1701.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate508.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

258.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

349/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2238/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Beckley

Violent crime in Beckley is close to the national average. The rate of 349.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2237.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,701 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Beckley Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault285
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery82
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary384
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,701
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft508
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Beckley Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Beckley
349.3
State
321.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Beckley
2237.9
State
2050.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Beckley Safety

Is Beckley safe?
Not especially. Beckley earns a D with a crime rate of 258.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Beckley?
258.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 349.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2237.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Beckley safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Beckley's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,701 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Beckley?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Beckley generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Beckley police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Beckley?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Beckley's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Beckley compare to other cities in West Virginia?
Below average for the state. Beckley ranks behind about 80% of West Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Beckley to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Beckley?
Bad. A D grade and 258.7 per-thousand rate put Beckley below 81% of US cities. Violent crime at 349 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Beckley?
349.3 per 100,000, which is 4% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (285), robbery (82), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

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View all West Virginia city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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