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D+

Is Martinsburg, West Virginia Safe?

Population 19,211 · Safer than 23% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Martinsburg is a smaller community of 19,211 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 246 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,593 per 100K.

Martinsburg Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMartinsburgWest Virginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate409.2321.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2050.92050.21,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate314.0--268.2
Theft Rate1593.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate317.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

246 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

409/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2051/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Martinsburg

Violent crime in Martinsburg is close to the national average. The rate of 409.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2050.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,593 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 314 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Martinsburg Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault314
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery75
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary279
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,593
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft317
0100% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Martinsburg Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Martinsburg
409.2
State
321.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Martinsburg
2050.9
State
2050.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Martinsburg Safety

Is Martinsburg safe?
Not especially. Martinsburg earns a D+ with a crime rate of 246 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 Martinsburg?
246 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 409.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2050.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Martinsburg safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Martinsburg's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,593 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Martinsburg?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Martinsburg generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Martinsburg police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Martinsburg?
Crime rates have held steady in Martinsburg, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Martinsburg compare to other cities in West Virginia?
Below average for the state. Martinsburg ranks behind about 83% of West Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Martinsburg to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Martinsburg?
Bad. A D+ grade and 246 per-thousand rate put Martinsburg below 77% of US cities. Violent crime at 409 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Martinsburg?
409.2 per 100,000, which is 12% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (314), robbery (75), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in West Virginia

Similar-sized communities in West Virginia. Compare crime rates across the state.

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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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