Is Beckley Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Beckley, West Virginia, is at the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, mainly known for its rich coal mining history and scenic beauty.

The city is home to 17,000 people, but thousands more pass through each year either on I-64 or on the way to the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.

Tourism has increased since 2021, when New River Gorge became a national park.

Beckley was founded in the late 19th century as a coal town, and that heritage still resonates within Beckley today.

A coal mine exhibit and expansive art collective known as Tamarack Marketplace honor the past and present of this vibrant Appalachian community.

The city also hosts several annual events, like the Appalachian Festival and the Chili Night Festival, which draws crowds from across the region.

While still a small town, it’s the largest commercial center in this part of West Virginia.

You get the small-town charm while still dealing with some big-city problems.

We put together this guide to help you find the safest way to enjoy Beckley and its natural wonders nearby.

Warnings & Dangers in Beckley

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Given the high crime rate here, we’re going to assign a medium risk. However, you should know that sticking to safe places, as we will mention a little later on, will keep the risk low.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Public transportation in Beckley is limited but functional, primarily served by the New River Transit Authority. It offers bus routes connecting key areas within Beckley and nearby towns. Taxis and rideshares are another option to get around, but a rental car provides the most flexibility.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

About three pickpockets or purse snatching happen each year, according to the past five years of crime data. The majority were purse snatchings. While the risk is statistically low, the shoplifting theft and other larceny reports are sky-high. People are capable of theft all around you here - treat this as a medium risk.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Beckley faces several natural disaster risks, including severe flooding due to heavy rainfall and its mountainous terrain. The area is also susceptible to winter storms with significant snow and ice accumulation, at least compared to the rest of the state. Occasional tornadoes and high winds can cause damage, while landslides pose a threat in steep, unstable areas.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Beckley sees about 10 robberies a year, looking back at five years of crime data. About three of those fall into the same category as muggings. The risk is low, but this is definitely a city where you want to avoid unknown places at night and possibly during the day if it’s outside the tourist or interstate corridor.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Beckley has a low terrorism risk, as it’s a small city with limited targets of strategic or symbolic significance. While no specific threats are identified, the risk mainly comes from general concerns like hate crimes or domestic terrorism, the same as could happen in any American city.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The police department and local sheriff’s office will post the latest scams on social media. I’ve seen plenty of garden variety scams like fake jury duty, law enforcement, or utility company phone calls. Knowing common tactics will keep the risk low, especially since most scams here target locals.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

The medium risk overall extends to women travelers. Use extra caution when visiting Beckley, and limit what you carry in your purse. Don’t wear valuables or carry a lot of cash. Walking around at night is discouraged.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The last report posted for Beckley was in 2022 when there were no violations reported. The risk is low.

Safest Places to Visit in Beckley

Look for the Beckley Raleigh County Convention and Visitors Bureau website to find the most updated list of attractions and events.

You can also follow them on Instagram @beckleyraleigh and Facebook @beckleyevents.

The city’s website (beckley.org) also has a Visitors section where you can find more information.

The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum is one of the most popular attractions, offering a hands-on experience of the area’s coal mining heritage.

Visitors can take a guided tour through an old coal mine, explore historical coal camp buildings, and enjoy interactive displays in an area designed for kids.

Take another trip back in time at Wildwood House Museum.

This historic home museum offers a look into the life of one of Beckley’s founding families.

Built in the 1830s, the house is filled with period furniture, artifacts, and exhibits that reflect mountaineer life.

Dedicated to honoring veterans from Raleigh County and beyond, the Raleigh County Veterans Museum houses an impressive collection of military artifacts, including uniforms, weapons, and personal memorabilia from various wars.

Known as “The Best of West Virginia,” Tamarack Marketplace holds the creative efforts of more than 500 West Virginia artists.

Visitors can browse a wide selection of handmade crafts, art pieces, and gourmet food items.

While items are available for purchase, think of this more as a heritage stop than a shopping trip.

A must-see stop is the Grandview Overlook at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, just 15 minutes from Beckley.

The lookout stands 1,400 feet above the bend in the New River.

Rafters of all experience levels should explore the possibility of a ride down the New River, known as one of the best whitewater rapids spots in the country.

Fall is one of the best times to go, but late spring and summer are filled with options.

For planning purposes, Beckley is closest to the middle gorge section.

Places to Avoid in Beckley

The safest parts of Beckley aren’t close to most tourist attractions, which means you’ll need to use situational awareness and common sense when you’re visiting.

Beckley has a fair amount of illegal drug activity and gangs, while one in five people live in poverty.

Downtown and Uptown have seen a lot of crime, and unless you’re there for a big event, it’s probably not the best idea to go there at night.

The most important thing to avoid in Beckley is anything to do with drug or gang activity.

Avoid any situation where there’s trouble brewing.

Call the police for suspicious activity or to report a crime in progress.

All the hotels are grouped near the interstate, which is one of the lowest crime areas.

I would recommend staying at the hotels on the west side of the highway.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Beckley

So... How Safe Is Beckley Really?

On paper, Beckley doesn’t look very safe.

However, let’s go through the data and provide some context.

Beckley’s violent crime rate is 158% higher than the state average and 90% higher than the national average.

At the same time, 83% of violent crime is between people who know each other.

More than half of violent crimes happen in public homes.

Theft is 361% higher than the national average.

About 57% of that is directly tied to shoplifting.

About two cars are broken into each week on average.

There’s really not getting around that those numbers don’t bode well for Beckley.

Here are a few things to consider.

First, as a small town of 17,000, the crime rates must be inflated to a “per 100,000 residents” to be able to compare it to every other American city.

It doesn’t account for the thousands of people who drive through or stay in Beckley for tourism reasons.

“With the new national parks, we’ve seen a huge uptick in visitors to the (Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine) and all the other attractions that we’re familiar with,” said City Treasurer Billie Trump in 2022.

Then, there’s the raw data. In 2022, there were 125 violent crimes.

That’s about 10 a month.

Depending on what crime statistics are like where you live, that will impact how you interpret the safety risk here.

The theft rates make it seem like anything that isn’t nailed down gets stolen.

With 1114 thefts in 2022, that’s the highest raw number since 2012.

That also breaks down to about three thefts per day.

If you take shoplifting out of the mix, it’s about one theft per day.

I honestly don’t want to summarize how safe the city is based on the data because this one is very much how you interpret the full scope of information.

It is worth noting that violent crimes are not habitually happening near the entertainment or tourism areas.

Plus, you always have that crime mapping option to ensure you’re staying at the safest possible location.

How Does Beckley Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. You can also download the CBP One mobile app for help on the go. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee. Credit cards, not debit cards, offer the best fraud protection.

Weather

Beckley experiences a mild climate with four distinct seasons. Winters can be chilly, with average highs in the 30s to 40s Fahrenheit. Snowfall is common, especially from December through February, totaling around 42 inches annually. Summers are warm and humid, with temperatures often reaching the 80s.

Airports

The closest commercial airport to Beckley is Raleigh County Memorial Airport, offering limited regional flights through Contour Airlines. West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston is about 60 miles northwest and provides broader domestic connections. Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, around 120 miles southeast, is another option with a wider range of flights.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects the cost of baggage loss/theft, delays, cancelations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Beckley Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

West Virginia - Safety by City