Is Morgantown, WV Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report
Generative Engine Summary
In the Safety Atlas 2026 public safety index, Morgantown, WV has an adjusted safety score of 49.15 out of 100. It ranks #111 safest out of the 117 scored jurisdictions in West Virginia. The city's overall crime trajectory is currently classified as decreasing.
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Key Public Safety Indicators
The table below lists per-capita crime rates normalized per 100,000 residents for the five primary crime categories. Per-capita tracking provides an objective, volume-neutral comparison against state and national averages.
| Offense Class | Annual Count | Rate per 100K | National Avg | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery | 6 | 19.82 | 37.35 | 0.53x lower |
| Aggravated Assault | 47 | 155.25 | 178.78 | 0.87x lower |
| Burglary | 15 | 49.55 | 143.36 | 0.35x lower |
| Larceny-theft | 482 | 1592.18 | 857.1 | 1.86x higher |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 16 | 52.85 | 152.54 | 0.35x lower |
Detailed Crime Class Breakdown
Rates for remaining secondary offense categories (including specialized property and community order metrics) are locked under our security and anti-scraping policy.
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Primary Source Data Integrity
Safety Atlas scorecards are constructed from audited law enforcement data. We do not use surveys, sentiment indexes, or self-reported resident reviews.
- Crime Counts: FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) database.
- Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimate boundaries.
- Methodology: Adjusted per-capita normalization with small-sample relief controls. View our complete Methodology Documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morgantown safe compared to other places in West Virginia?
Morgantown is classified as having low relative safety in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index. It has an adjusted safety score of 49.15 out of 100 and ranks #111 safest out of the 117 scored jurisdictions in West Virginia.
What is the crime rate in Morgantown?
The primary crime rate in Morgantown for offenses displayed includes Robbery, Burglary, and Aggravated Assault. With only 6 annual robberies reported, Morgantown shows specific relative safety profiles. The overall trajectory trend is currently decreasing.
What is the safest neighborhood in Morgantown?
National NIBRS reports are aggregated at the municipal-wide level for Morgantown. To find neighborhood-specific safety data, you can consult local precinct mapping dashboards or purchase the full West Virginia Safety Workbook.
Why are some crime statistics locked for Morgantown?
Under the Safety Atlas anti-scraping and data integrity policies, detailed per-capita rates and YoY trends for secondary offense classes are locked. Granular figures for all 18 FBI crime classes are reserved for subscribers of the West Virginia Public Safety Workbook.