8 Safest Towns In West Virginia For Senior Living
West Virginia is known for its verdant greenery and striking natural scenery, from the Allegheny Mountains in the eastern highlands to the New River Gorge in the south and the Ohio River along the Northern Panhandle. The state also stands out for affordable living and the lower crime rates found in many of its small towns, with a median home value of about $162,000 compared with roughly $332,000 nationwide. That combination of value and day-to-day ease is reflected in places like Buckhannon, where Main Street, the West Virginia Strawberry Festival, and the Upshur County Senior Center help keep older adults active and connected.
In Martinsburg, a walkable historic downtown, MARC and Amtrak service, and Berkeley Senior Services add convenience and community. Based on FBI Crime Data Explorer reports from local police departments, this ranking focuses on violent and property crime rates while also weighing access to medical care, walkability, and senior programs. Here are eight of the safest towns in West Virginia for senior living!
Buckhannon
At the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains along the Buckhannon River in Upshur County sits a small town called Buckhannon, home to about 5,100 people, 19% of whom are over 60. Buckhannon is conveniently one hour south of Morgantown and 1.5 hours east of the state capital, Charleston. Seniors like Buckhannon's small-town, suburban atmosphere, as well as the town's low violent crime rate of 0.79 per 1,000 people and property crime rate of 15.19 per 1,000 people.
Although there are no public transportation options to reach the larger cities, Country Roads Transit provides low-cost service in and around Buckhannon. The town is considered one of the state's more walkable towns, with 19 miles of sidewalks. They lead to popular restaurants and eateries such as Fish Hawk Acres on Main Street and The Donut Spot on Locust Street.
Each May, Buckhannon hosts the West Virginia Strawberry Festival, which draws thousands of out-of-towners as well as townspeople. The Upshur County Senior Center in Buckhannon welcomes residents age 60 and up for a variety of services and programs.
Martinsburg
The county seat of Berkeley County in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, Martinsburg, sits at the northern entrance to the Shenandoah Valley. Martinsburg sits about 76 miles northwest of Washington, DC; 90 miles west of Baltimore, Maryland; and 20 miles west of Hagerstown, Maryland. This town of about 19,000 residents, with 22% over 60, has a low violent crime rate of 2.1 per 1,000, and a low property crime rate of 10.13 per 1,000.
Seniors who must travel to Washington, DC, and don't wish to drive can take the MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter) Train, which runs Mondays through Fridays. The Amtrak station in Martinsburg connects residents to other cities. The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority serves public transportation needs in and around Martinsburg.
Martinsburg's downtown area, which is easily walkable, features a historic district chartered in 1778. Ten blocks of shops, including Westwood Charm Boutique and Inner Sanctuary, both on Queen Street, are in this area. One of the state's most renowned health centers, Berkeley Medical Center, is in Martinsburg for health care. Berkeley Senior Services offers programs and services to enrich the lives of seniors in Martinsburg.
Bridgeport
Bridgeport, in north-central West Virginia's Harrison County, is two hours north of the state capital, Charleston, and two hours south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Of its 9,300 residents, about 29% are 60 or older. One driving motivator is Bridgeport's low crime rates. According to FBI data, as of 2024, the violent crime rate in the town is 1.50 per 1,000 people, and the property crime rate is 12.89 per 1,000 people (SafeWise, per FBI data, October 2024). Barons Bus provides transportation to larger cities from Bridgeport’s White Oaks Shelter stop. The Central West Virginia Transit Authority runs regional buses around Bridgeport and the region every day but Sunday.
Although Bridgeport is small, it has a walkable downtown area along Main Street, leading to shops that may be of interest, such as Almost Heaven Desserts & Coffee Shop. United Hospital Center of West Virginia University Medicine is an acute-care facility in Bridgeport, with 292 inpatient rooms and a variety of specialty services. The Harrison County Senior Center in neighboring Clarksburg serves Bridgeport's senior citizen population with activities, meals, and socialization opportunities. Each summer, usually towards the end of May, the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport hold a Summer Kickoff and Food Truck Festival in downtown Bridgeport. This festival draws townspeople of all ages together and includes music, games, activities, and food.
Grafton
The county seat of Taylor County, north-central West Virginia, Grafton sits at the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, about 25 miles south of Morgantown. This town, known as the birthplace of Mother's Day, is noted for its affordability, with living costs that many retirees find manageable. The crime rate in this town of 4,600, with 27% over age 60, is also a contributing factor to senior satisfaction in Grafton. The violent crime rate per 1,000 is just 0.44, and the property crime rate is also low at 5.31 per 1,000.
Public transportation options in Grafton are limited, with ridesharing the most popular option. Grafton has a compact, walkable downtown. Seniors may enjoy exploring sites such as the International Mother's Day Shrine on Main Street, a National Historic Landmark and tribute to Anna Jarvis, who established Mother's Day there. Grafton also hosted one of the oldest continuously held Memorial Day parades in the United States, and still celebrates the Holiday each May with the official West Virginia Memorial Day Parade and festivities. Grafton City Hospital in town is a well-known medical center that can provide care when needed. Taylor County Senior Citizens in Grafton offers care and services for residents aged 60 and over.
Keyser
Keyser, a small town in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle and the county seat of Mineral County, is another safe, affordable town for seniors. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains along the North Branch of the Potomac River, Keyser is home to 4,800 people, 29% of whom are over age 60. The town's cost of living is 12% below the US national average and 22% below the West Virginia state average, according to Salary.com data. Additionally, Keyser's low violent crime rate of 1.03 per 1,000 and property crime rate of 6.18 per 1,000 reinforce its suitability for residents prioritizing safety.
Keyser lies 22 miles southwest of Cumberland, Maryland, and is home to Potomac State College of West Virginia University. Senior Citizens age 65 and up who meet residency requirements may take courses there for reduced tuition. Public transportation in Keyser is provided by Potomac Valley Transit Authority.
Keyser also features a walkable downtown area, with the Keyser-Mineral County Public Library, a popular gathering place, and attractions such as The Indie on Main Art House within walking distance. Even though the town is small, it also has its own medical center, Potomac Valley Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital that is part of the WVU Medicine System.
Moundsville
Just 11 miles south of the city of Wheeling in Marshall County, Moundsville is in West Virginia's Northern Panhandle along the Ohio River. This town of about 7,800 people, with almost 30% of residents over 60, attracts seniors due to its low crime rates: 2.07 per 1,000 for violent crime and 15.81 per 1,000 for property crime. It is also home to the largest conical burial mound in North America. Many visit the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville each year, a national historic landmark with free admission, which might be of interest to seniors checking out the town.
Moundsville recently began a trial run bus schedule with the Ohio Valley Regional Transit Authority, offering temporary routes around town. Fare for those over age 65 is just 0.65 cents per ride. The Marshall County Senior Center in Moundsville also provides seniors with transportation to doctors' appointments, grocery shopping, and errands around town as needed.
Moundsville's small downtown area includes shops and eateries such as Bob's Lunch on 3rd Street. The Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library, on 5th Street, can also be easily accessed from downtown and hosts public events, such as historical society lectures and chair yoga, which may be of interest to seniors.
Oak Hill
Oak Hill sits about 10 minutes from New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Part of the Beckley metropolitan area, Oak Hill is home to almost 8,000 residents, about a quarter of whom are age 60 and older. Low violent crime rates of 2.17 per 1,000 and property crime rates of 9.82 per 1,000 attract seniors to this quiet, quaint town.
New River Transit Authority provides public transportation to residents of Oak Hill and the surrounding areas. Active seniors might wish to hike the White Oak Rail Trail, a 7.9-mile paved path for hiking and biking that runs through Oak Hill's historic section. The Oak Hill Senior Center serves meals, social activities, and helps seniors access necessary resources. Oak Hill also has a highly regarded medical center, the CAMC Plateau Medical Center of Vandalia Health, on Main Street.
Ranson
The town of Ranson, population 5,700, is in Jefferson County, in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. About 20% of the town's population is over age 60. Ranson is just five minutes from Charles Town (the county seat of Jefferson County, not the state capital of Charleston), 20 minutes from Shepherdstown, and just over an hour west of Washington, DC. Crime rates in Ranson are just 1.73 per 1,000 for violent crime and 8.32 per 1,000 for property crime.
Ranson receives service from the Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority public transportation buses. One easy way to explore Ranson is to take the Ranson Lost History Trail, a walking trail with eight stops around the town's historic area. Ranson's senior population is served by the Jefferson County Council on Aging Anna Mae Reedy Senior Center on 5th Avenue. WVU Medicine's Jefferson Medical Center, a 25-bed critical access hospital, is in Ranson for any medical needs that may arise. The Ranson Civic Center sponsors events year-round, such as the Ranson/Charles Town Christmas Parade in December, which brings residents from both towns together.
Safe Senior Living in West Virginia
Seniors who move to any of these eight West Virginia towns can be secure in the knowledge that they have some of the lowest rates of violent and property crime in the state. The towns listed here also offer accessible healthcare and many senior-friendly amenities, helping improve a senior citizen's overall quality of life. Whether you're planning a move, helping a loved one find the right fit, or exploring your own options for retirement, these communities are great examples of what it means to live well and safely in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.
