West Virginia is a very pretty state with many green and picturesque landscapes. It is very easy to travel in and out of the state because it is close to other states. West Virginia is famous for its charming town, Harper’s Ferry, which has historical importance for our country. Some parts of the state are rich and fancy, but just like any other state in the country, there are also unsafe areas. Let’s discover the seven most dangerous places in West Virginia. We will discuss the crime rates and other factors that contribute to the dangerousness of these areas.
Most Dangerous Places in West Virginia
Beckley
Beckley is a city in southern West Virginia. It is the ninth-largest city in the state and is part of the Beckley metropolitan area. The town was established in 1838 and has been well-known for its significant role in the coal mining industry. In addition to being recognized as a coal mining town, the West Virginia University Institute of Technology is also situated here. Beckley has a lot of theft and assault crimes. The theft rate is worrying because the town has 6,614 thefts per 100,000 people.
Charleston
Charleston, like many other cities and towns in West Virginia, became a major center for the coal mining industry. Coal mining has decreased in recent years, causing many towns in West Virginia to become ghost towns and resulting in job losses for people. When it comes to crime, the rates of assault, murder, theft, and robbery are much higher than the national average.
South Charleston
South Charleston is a city that has a lot of companies from different countries. It used to be where the Charleston Ordinance Center was located, which used to be a factory for making weapons for the navy. When it comes to crime, the rate of violent crime is higher than the average for the whole country, especially when it comes to assaults. South Charleston has a high theft rate of 4,163 thefts per 100,000 residents.
Also Read: Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Washington DC, 2024 Study Reveals
Moorefield
Moorefield is a little town that was created in 1777. It is found close to the Potomac River. It’s interesting to note that Moorefield has a higher crime rate compared to other places in the state. Because it is a small town, the crime rate tends to appear higher due to statistical factors. For instance, the rate of assaults is 976 assaults per 100,000 residents, which is more than three times higher than the national average. The positive aspect is that the rates of other crimes are either equal to or lower than the national average.
Martinsburg
There are many big companies located in Martinsburg, such as Macy’s and FedEx. Procter & Gamble also has buildings in Martinsburg. The West Virginia Air National Guard is located at the regional airport near Martinsburg. The numbers and statistics show that the rates of violent crime and property crime have remained stable. The theft rate is a cause for concern because it is higher than the national average, with 2,616 thefts per 100,000 residents. The rate of sexual assault is also higher than the average rate in the country.
Nitro
There was a nitrocellulose plant in the town during World War I. When Nitro became a city in 1932, they chose to name it after the plant. Nitro is the location of “Chemical Valley” where there are more cases of cancer due to the chemical plants in the area. The crime rate is generally stable, but the theft rate stands out as an exception. The rate of theft in this area is 3,258 per 100,000 residents, which is one and a half times higher than the average rate for the whole country.
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