South Charleston, WV Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in South Charleston, WV

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in South Charleston is 126.6% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 82 violent crimes reported in South Charleston, equivalent to 624 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 68.8%. Additionally, South Charleston recorded 610 property crimes, amounting to 4643 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 137.6%.

In South Charleston, the crime rate stands at 5267 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 126.62%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in South Charleston that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.

With a property crime rate of 4643 crimes per 100,000 people, South Charleston unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in South Charleston is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 22, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.

Is South Charleston a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether South Charleston is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, South Charleston has an overall crime rate that is 127% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 1.9 daily occurrences, comprising 0.22 violent crimes and 1.67 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of South Charleston as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in South Charleston Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in South Charleston crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in South Charleston has increased by 5.2% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 54.7% and property crime has increased by 0.8%.

Potential Causes for Crime in South Charleston

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in South Charleston crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. South Charleston has an unemployment rate of 4%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced South Charleston crime rates. South Charleston registers a population density of 1441.9 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In South Charleston, the cost of living is 10.07% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

South Charleston crime map