Is Tavennersville safe?
Parkersburg, West Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Tavennersville as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Tavennersville
“Go with care. Tavennersville is a modest, working-class residential and light-commercial area in South Parkersburg that is generally safe for daytime visits, though property crime and drug-related infractions are elevated in the broader region. Visitors exploring the neighborhood or stopping by local establishments should exercise routine situational awareness, particularly after dark.”
Local law enforcement frequently targets illicit narcotics distribution and related petty property crimes across South Parkersburg corridors.
About the area
Tavennersville is an older South Parkersburg neighborhood situated near the confluence of the Little Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. It features a blend of modest mid-century single-family houses, small apartment buildings, and neighborhood commercial strips along main corridors like Broadway Avenue. The area is largely car-dependent and primarily serves residential and local service needs.
- Working-Class
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
- Mid-Century
Walking and biking in Tavennersville
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 36/100
There is no municipal bike-share system, and dedicated cycling infrastructure is absent, requiring cyclists to share narrow roads with motorized traffic.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates against travelers and casual visitors remain low.
- Convenient vehicular connectivity via US-50 (Corridor D) and WV-14.
- Affordable local dining options and free, accessible parking.
Cons
- Elevated rates of petty theft, vehicle break-ins, and property crime.
- Inconsistent pedestrian infrastructure with missing sidewalks and dim side-street lighting.
- Pockets of aging, deteriorating housing stock and elevated residential vacancy.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is generally low in residential pockets, but occasional panhandling and unhoused individuals can be seen near commercial plazas along South Parkersburg highway corridors.
What Tavennersville is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful with standard commuter and local business traffic flowing along main avenues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and active around local service establishments, though sidewalks remain sparse.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Commercial activity tapers off quickly, requiring moderate awareness when walking near thoroughfares.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are quiet and dimly lit, with an increased risk of opportunistic property theft and vehicle prowling.
Transit, parking and getting around
Local public transit is provided by Easy Rider (Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority) via South Side bus routes connecting the neighborhood to Downtown Parkersburg; there is no passenger rail or BRT service.
Free on-street parking is widely available across residential streets, and neighborhood businesses feature ample free surface lot parking.
Things to do in Tavennersville
- Visit nearby Southwood Park for its walking paths, community pool, and recreation facilities.
- Tour the historic sites and river attractions at nearby Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park.
- Sample regional local comfort food and pizza along the South Parkersburg commercial corridors.
Local favorites
- Napoli's Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.3★ (420)A long-standing local staple serving classic pizzas, subs, and Italian comfort food.
- Mister Bee Potato Chip Company · Snack Food Manufacturer · 4.6★ (260)Historic West Virginia chip maker offering locally produced snacks and retail merchandise.
- The Pizza Place · Pizzeria · 4.4★ (510)Popular local counter-service eatery known for Sicilian-style thick crust square slices.
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.