Is Polandale safe?
Mineral Wells, West Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Polandale as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Polandale
“Go. Polandale is a peaceful, low-density rural-residential area in Mineral Wells with very low violent crime rates. While total car dependency and minimal pedestrian infrastructure mean visitors must drive everywhere, it offers a secure and quiet environment.”
About the area
Polandale is a semi-rural residential pocket located in Mineral Wells just south of Parkersburg, West Virginia. Characterized by single-family homes, rolling wooded lots, and proximity to the I-77 corridor, the area functions primarily as a quiet bedroom community.
- Quiet Residential
- Rural / Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Wooded
Walking and biking in Polandale
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There is no bike-share system or dedicated bicycle infrastructure, requiring cyclists to share narrow, winding country roads with motor vehicles.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent crime rate typical of semi-rural Wood County
- High homeownership rate and stable, established residential community
- Quick access to Interstate 77 and regional retail along WV Route 14
Cons
- Absence of sidewalks, streetlights, and shoulders along narrow rural roadways
- Isolated incidents of petty property crime and vehicle break-ins reported regionally
- Zero commercial or dining establishments within comfortable walking distance
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Polandale. Most regional emergency shelters and social services are located further north in downtown Parkersburg.
What Polandale is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and bright with light residential traffic as locals head toward I-77.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons remain very quiet, though pedestrians should watch for traffic along shoulderless roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are dark and tranquil with minimal street activity and a very safe atmosphere.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights are pitch-black and silent; safety risks are negligible aside from wildlife crossing roads.
Transit, parking and getting around
Easy Rider (Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority) operates transit services in the greater Parkersburg area, but fixed-route service does not extend into the residential roads of Polandale.
Parking is abundant and entirely free, primarily on private driveways and large open surface lots at commercial hubs along Route 14.
Things to do in Polandale
- Watch local dirt-track racing events at the nearby Ohio Valley Speedway
- Fish and kayak along the scenic waters of the nearby Little Kanawha River
- Browse local crafts, gifts, and regional specialty foods along WV Route 14
Local favorites
- Tumbleweed Country Store · Country Store · 4.6★ (125)Rustic local general store offering country decor, specialty gifts, and deli items.
- Las Trancas Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (540)Casual, family-friendly Mexican eatery serving hearty combination platters and margaritas.
- Grand Central Diner · Diner · 4.5★ (310)Down-home American diner known for generous breakfast platters and homemade pies.
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.