Is Central City safe?
Huntington, West Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Central City as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Central City
“Go with care. Central City is Huntington's charming antique and market district along 14th Street West, offering unique local shops and community events during daylight hours. However, surrounding residential blocks struggle with above-average poverty, property crime, and visible vacancy, making standard street awareness necessary, especially after dark.”
City-led revitalization efforts continue along 14th Street West with facade grants and infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing blighted properties and curbing petty theft in West Huntington.
About the area
Central City, also known as Old Central City, is a historic West Huntington neighborhood centered on 14th Street West. It is recognized as a regional hub for antique shops, local artisans, and farmers market goods, nestled within a traditional, turn-of-the-century working-class street grid.
- Historic / Antique District
- Local Food Hub
- Working-Class
- Quiet Residential
Walking and biking in Central City
Walk score: 63/100 · Bike score: 55/100
The neighborhood features flat, navigable streets with easy connections to segments of the Paul Ambrose Trail for Health (PATH), though dedicated on-street bike lanes are sparse.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Vibrant commercial pocket along 14th Street West with active community revitalization
- Rich concentration of antique malls, vintage boutiques, and local food initiatives
- Regular daytime police patrol and active neighborhood merchant associations
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle break-in rates are elevated compared to national averages
- Poverty rates in the surrounding Census tract exceed 30%, accompanied by pockets of residential vacancy
- Activity drops off sharply at dusk, leaving street corridors quiet and poorly lit in residential sections
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along main transit corridors and near vacant properties, with occasional panhandling near commercial parking areas and gas stations.
What Central City is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and low-key as cafes and local shops open; very comfortable for walking along 14th Street West.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- The neighborhood's peak activity window with shoppers browsing antique malls and markets in a relaxed setting.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pedestrian foot traffic thins out rapidly as retail closes; sticking to well-lit main corridors is advised.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and isolated with limited commercial activity, where opportunistic theft and nuisance crime risks increase.
Transit, parking and getting around
Tri-State Transit Authority (TSTA) serves Central City via Route 2 (West Huntington) with frequent daytime stops connecting directly to the downtown Huntington transit center.
On-street parking along 14th Street West and adjacent side streets is free, readily available, and unmetered with several free public surface lots near the market gazebos.
Things to do in Central City
- Browse regional produce, artisan goods, and local crafts at The Wild Ramp
- Hunt for vintage collectibles and furniture along the 14th Street West antique corridor
- Attend the annual Old Central City Days festival celebrating local Appalachian heritage and music
Local favorites
- The Wild Ramp · Farmers Market & Grocery · 4.7★ (320)A community-supported nonprofit market selling locally sourced meats, produce, and Appalachian artisan goods.
- Cicada Books & Coffee · Bookstore & Cafe · 4.8★ (210)Cozy independent bookstore offering curated reads, espresso drinks, baked goods, and community events.
- Central City Antiques Mall · Antique Store · 4.6★ (185)Multi-vendor antique destination packed with vintage decor, glassware, primitives, and collectibles.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.