Huntington, WV Crime Rate 2025 – Latest Statistics

Huntington sits on the Ohio River and borders Ohio and Kentucky. Once home to one of the largest river ports in the United States, Huntington boasts a long heritage mixed with vibrant cultural and educational opportunities. If you’re considering a future move or you’re already a proud resident, it’s always beneficial to know the Huntington, WV, crime rate.

Why Choose Us?

At Meadows Law PLLC, we understand the importance of facing a criminal defense case and have a strong team ready to fight for your freedoms. Our knowledgeable attorneys are experienced in representing clients inside and out of the courtroom. We are familiar with the criminal defense laws in West Virginia. When you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer, our team can represent your interests.

Huntington, WV, Crime Rates

In 2023, a study released by the FBI reviewed crime rates throughout the United States by compiling data from 18,000 law enforcement agencies. Huntington had a population of 45,325 at the time the data was collected, making it the second-largest city in West Virginia. Huntington crime rates in 2023 include:

• 379 violent crimes
• 8.36 violent crimes per 1,000 residents
• 1,668 property crimes
• 36.80 property crimes per 1,000 residents
• A total of 2,047 crimes
• 45.16 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent crimes reported include one murder, 53 rapes, 47 robberies, and 278 assaults. Property crimes reported include 225 burglaries and 1,241 thefts.

These numbers show that Huntington residents have a 1 in 120 chance of being the victim of a violent crime and a 1 in 27 chance of being the victim of a property crime.

Crime Rates on the Decline

According to data collected by the Huntington Police Department, crime rates are declining in the city. From 2010 to 2022, the number of cases of several violent and property crimes steadily declined:

• Drug offenses fell from 776 in 2017 to 211 in 2022
• Arson fell from 74 in 2012 to 18 in 2018
• Burglary fell from 1,301 in 2013 to 276 in 2022
• Larceny fell from 2,147 in 2013 to 1,003 in 2022
• Motor vehicle theft fell from 248 in 2017 to 141 in 2022
• Sexual assault fell from 89 in 2018 to 41 in 2022
• Robbery fell from 181 in 2010 to 36 in 2022
• Murder fell from 17 in 2017 to 2 in 2022

Crime Statistics in West Virginia

Every year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) publishes crime statistics for areas across the United States. The 2024 UCR crime rate statistics for West Virginia include the following information:

Violent Crimes

When looking at violent crimes, West Virginia shows significantly lower rates than the national average, with many offenses falling into a few key categories:

• There were 249 violent crimes per 100,000 population.
• Violent crime rates were 30.7% lower than the US average.
• Of the violent crimes committed, 74.7% were aggravated assaults, 3.9% were robberies, 19.3% were rapes, and 2.1% were murders.
• West Virginia is ranked 34th in the nation in violent crime rates.
• Violent crimes decreased 7.5%. Specifically, murder fell 11.7%, rape fell 1.8%, robbery fell 14.9%, and assault fell 8.3%.

Property Crimes

Property crime in the state is also well below the national average, with larceny-theft making up most of these offenses:

• There were 1,162 property crimes per 100,000 population.
• Property crime rates were 34% lower than the US average.
• Of the property crimes committed, 77.9% were larcenies-thefts, 15.3% were burglaries, and 6.8% were motor vehicle thefts.
• West Virginia is ranked 44th in the nation in property crime rates.
• Property crimes decreased 2.2%. Specifically, burglary fell 1.5%, larceny-theft fell 1.2%, and motor vehicle theft fell 14.4%.

Combined, violent and property crime rates decreased 3.2% from 2023 to 2024.

Factors That Influence Crime Rates

How different factors contribute to crime rates is complex, but there are social, economic, and community factors that have been shown to influence rates of crime. In West Virginia, these factors include:

• Low- or poor-quality educational opportunities
• High rates of unemployment
• Economic instability
• Substance abuse rates
• Dense urbanization
• Lack of law enforcement presence
• Lack of community involvement in policing efforts
• Availability of weapons

FAQs

Q: Is Huntington, West Virginia, a Safe Place to Live?

A: The residential areas in Huntington are a safe place to live. Huntington is the second-largest city in West Virginia and has the third-highest violent crime rate. Those rates can be misleading, however. Areas frequented by large groups tend to have higher crime rates. In Huntington, there are 12 recreational areas, a university, and a shopping mall that see high visitor counts, contributing to a higher rate of crime.

Q: What Is the Crime Rate in Huntington, West Virginia?

A: In Huntington, West Virginia, the average crime rate is 29.34 per 1,000 residents, but that number varies depending on what area of the city you are in. Residential areas have a 1 in 51 chance of a crime occurring, while business-heavy areas have a 1 in 12 chance. On average, areas with larger crowds tend to have higher rates of crime. Overall, both violent and property crime rates have decreased in the city.

Q: Which Neighborhoods Are Considered the Safest in Huntington, West Virginia?

A: The safest neighborhoods in Huntington, according to information gathered by Neighborhood Scout’s SecurityGauge, include Marshall University, Hodges, Buffalo Creek/Neal, Camden Park, West Pea Ridge, Southern Hills/Harveytown, Beverly Hills, Southeast Hills, Pea Ridge Southwest, and Pea Ridge. In general, the less populated an area, the lower the crime rates because there are fewer people to engage in criminal activity.

Q: What Is Being Done to Combat Huntington’s High Crime Rates?

A: To combat the high crime rates in Huntington, law enforcement initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels have been enacted. Programs and partnerships the Huntington Police Department is associated with include Project Safe Neighborhoods, Mission Tri-State, S.T.O.P. Crime in our Community, HPD/MU Forensic Science Partnership, Cabell/Wayne Homeland Security Group, LGBTQ Liaison, and the Crisis Intervention Team.

Q: What Can a Huntington Criminal Defense Attorney Do for Me?

A: Our Huntington criminal defense attorneys can review the facts of your case if you face criminal charges and provide you with guidance. Regardless of the offense, we can review applicable laws and statutes and gather evidence to form a defense strategy. We can also negotiate with the prosecution to reach a plea deal, prepare your case for trial, and help you prepare an appeal if necessary. Protecting your rights throughout the legal process is paramount.

Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you’ve been accused of a violent or property crime, you should hire a criminal defense lawyer who is knowledgeable about the criminal defense laws specific to Huntington and West Virginia. At Meadows Law PLLC, we have extensive experience with criminal defense cases. Contact us for a confidential consultation.