B
11%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
60%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
24%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleSpencer/100k peopleWest Virginia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime52n/a (estimate)2,5721,5082,324
Murder0n/a0.04.66.3
Rape2n/a98.944.440.0
Robbery0n/a0.010.066.1
Assault1n/a49.5218.9268.2
Violent crime3n/a (estimate)148278370
Burglary2n/a98.9190.2269.8
Theft47n/a2,324.4951.21,401.9
Vehicle theft0n/a0.088.7282.7
Property crime49n/a (estimate)2,4231,2301,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Spencer, 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 Spencer is 10.7% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 3 violent crimes reported in Spencer, equivalent to 148 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 59.9%. Additionally, Spencer recorded 49 property crimes, amounting to 2423 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 24%.

In terms of the total Spencer crime rate per 100,000 people, it falls within the midrange when compared to other cities across the United States. Our analysis of total crimes, encompassing both violent and property offenses in Spencer, revealed that the reported crime rates closely align with the nationwide average reported by other areas.

In the most recently reported crime year, Spencer registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

The United States contends with some of the globe's most elevated vehicle theft rates, reaching around 300 incidents per 100,000 individuals. Remarkably, merely a small fraction, approximately 10%, of cities have been fortunate enough to remain unscathed by vehicle theft reports. In this regard, Spencer stands out as one of those cities, as it reported no vehicle thefts in its most recent crime report.

Is Spencer a Safe Place to Live?

Is Spencer a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Spencer has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 11%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.14 daily incidents, encompassing 0.01 violent crimes and 0.13 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Spencer as a potential place to call home.

Potential Causes for Crime in Spencer

The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Spencer crime rate. The poverty level in Spencer is 40.3%, while the national average is 15.1%.

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 Spencer crime rates. Spencer registers a population density of 1666.2 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Spencer, 66.8% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

Spencer crime map



The Spencer crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Spencer as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Spencer crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Spencer crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Spencer, WV Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Spencer crime rates are 11% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Spencer are 60% lower than the national average
      • In Spencer you have a 1 in 39 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Spencer is safer than 47% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Spencer has increased by 184%

      Spencer, WV Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Spencer (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Spencer (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Spencer

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Spencer is 1 in 674
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Spencer is 1 in 42
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Spencer is 1 in 39

        Year Over Year Crime In Spencer (per 100,000 people)

        Spencer police department

        Item Spencer West Virginia National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)41,642558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.73.03.3
        There are a total of 4 Spencer police officers. This results in 1.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 42.9% less than the West Virginia average and 46.8% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in West Virginia

        State Total offenders West Virginia /100K National /100K
        West Virginia4,917266266
        There are a total of 4,917 sex offenders in West Virginia. This yields a total of 266 sex offenders in West Virginia per 100,000 residents which is equal the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Reedy, WV1323791,6762,055
        Grantsville, WV5283811,6852,066
        Spencer, WV2,0961482,4232,572

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Cumberland, KY2,0960162162
        Springfield, MN2,0971621,1361,299
        Coalgate, OK2,097121485607
        Bristol, VT2,09554107161
        Richgrove, CA2,0983811,7852,166
        Spencer, WV2,0961482,4232,572
        Source: The Spencer, WV crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.