If you’re considering your next steps and Ohio happens to be in your plans, then this article is tailored for you. Ohio is a state filled with lively cities, but it also houses a few cities that could be deemed somewhat less safe.
Ohio offers an ideal destination if you’re fond of breathtaking state parks, bustling urban hubs, and vast cornfields. Nonetheless, there are specific areas within the state that individuals new to the area should approach with caution.
Fortunately, RoadSnacks has taken on the substantial task for you, utilizing the latest FBI crime statistics on both property and violent crimes per capita to pinpoint the cities in Ohio that have a notable level of risk.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that even within these cities, safety can differ significantly from one neighborhood to another.
Assigning blame to the residents of these cities for the crime rates wouldn’t be just. In the recent decades, Ohio has witnessed a decline in the prominence of its main industries.
Consequently, many people have been leaving cities such as Cleveland and Columbus, opting for coastal cities or Chicago, where greater opportunities exist in the tech sector. Additionally, Ohio is situated nearly at the heart of the Opioid Epidemic.
So, as you savor some Skyline Chili and relish Buckeyes for dessert, let’s dive into our analysis of the most perilous cities in Ohio.
7 Most Dangerous Cities in Ohio
| Rank | City | Population | Violent Crimes Per Capita | Property Crimes Per Capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canton | 70,124 | 1,428 | 4,864 |
| 2 | Moraine | 6,478 | 663 | 6,606 |
| 3 | Cleveland | 379,121 | 1,656 | 4,070 |
| 4 | Springfield | 58,696 | 575 | 5,134 |
| 5 | Portsmouth | 20,151 | 694 | 4,664 |
| 6 | Dayton | 140,193 | 1,086 | 3,845 |
| 7 | Whitehall | 19,014 | 825 | 4,428 |
We examined 220 cities in Ohio, utilizing the latest FBI crime statistics to determine which cities in Ohio were more likely to cause you to rethink your home security measures.
And which city stands at the summit of the list as the riskiest location in Ohio for the year 2023?
That somewhat undesirable distinction is awarded to Canton, Ohio, securing its position as the most unsafe city in the state.
1. Canton
Kicking off our lineup is Canton, recognized as the most perilous locality to reside in Ohio for the year 2023. This urban center, encompassing a population of 70,124, is positioned approximately 20 miles to the south of Akron.
With the state’s third-highest incidence of burglaries, one can only trust that the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton has taken ample security measures to safeguard its exhibits. Back in 2020, inhabitants faced a 1 in 20 likelihood of becoming victims of property-related offenses.
Regrettably, the challenges for Canton don’t conclude there. The city grappled with the state’s third-highest frequency of rape incidents, and its general rate of violent crime stands as the second highest.
- Population: 70,124
- Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
- Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,428 (Second most dangerous)
- Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,864 (Fifth most dangerous)
2. Moraine
Situated within the Dayton Metro Area, Moraine, a small community with a population of 6,478, holds the undesirable distinction of being the second least safe locality to reside in Ohio.
Truly, Moraine recorded the second-highest comprehensive crime rate in Ohio in the year 2020, mainly attributed to its elevated incidence of property-related offenses, ranking second in the state.
Regrettably, Moraine’s challenges with crime go beyond just property-related incidents. The city also experienced the 14th highest murder rate in Ohio during the year 2020.
- Population: 6,478
- Rank Last Year: 2 (No Change)
- Violent Crimes Per 100k: 663 (Tenth most dangerous)
- Property Crimes Per 100k: 6,606 (Second most dangerous)
3. Cleveland
Cleveland, the second most populous city in Ohio, renowned for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, also stands out as one of the more precarious places to reside in the state.
During 2020, Cleveland once again held the unfortunate distinction of having the highest rate of violent crime in Ohio, with its citizens facing a 1 in 60 chance of encountering an assault. This encompassed not only the highest rate of murders but also the ninth highest rate of reported rape cases in the state.
Furthermore, Cleveland’s ranking for property crime deteriorated this year when compared to the previous year. However, it’s important not to write off the entire city due to this fact; there still exist numerous safe neighborhoods in Cleveland.
- Population: 379,121
- Rank Last Year: 3 (No Change)
- Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,656 (Most dangerous)
- Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,070 (11th most dangerous)
4. Springfield
Situated around half an hour to the northeast of Dayton, Springfield holds the unfortunate ranking of being the fourth most perilous city in Ohio. Throughout the year 2020, Springfield encountered an average of about two burglaries every day, leading to the second-highest burglary rate in the entire state.
In general, individuals residing in Springfield faced a probability of 1 in 19 of falling victim to theft or property damage.
For those seeking refuge from the crime-afflicted avenues of Springfield, a trip to Buck Creek State Park could prove to be a prudent choice. Just ensure to bring along a companion and return before nightfall.
- Population: 58,696
- Rank Last Year: 7 (Up 3)
- Violent Crimes Per 100k: 575 (12th most dangerous)
- Property Crimes Per 100k: 5,134 (Fourth most dangerous)
5. Portsmouth
Portsmouth, situated in the southern-central region of Ohio just across the river from Kentucky, gained recognition for its production of shoes and paving bricks during the early 1900s. This industrial heritage played a crucial role in the town’s substantial population increase from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
Nevertheless, the present population stands at 20,151, which is less than half of its peak before the onset of the Great Depression. This reduction, fueled by economic turmoil, has brought about several difficulties, including a surge in criminal activity. Notably, there is a significant incidence of burglaries, with 177 cases being reported in a single year.
- Population: 20,151
- Rank Last Year: –
- Violent Crimes Per 100k: 694 (Ninth most dangerous)
- Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,664 (Eighth most dangerous)
6. Dayton
Next in line is Dayton, which ranks as the sixth-largest city in Ohio. In 2020, Dayton held the unfortunate distinction of having the fourth-highest burglary rate in the state. Additionally, the city experienced an average of approximately two car thefts per day.
We can only hope that no individuals consider attempting a heist resembling something out of Grand Theft Auto at either the Air Force Museum or the Packard Museum.
Regrettably, Dayton faces a more pronounced issue with violent crime. Within Ohio, the city attained the unfortunate second-highest position for its murder rate, translating to an average of about one murder each week.
Dayton’s standing doesn’t fare much better in terms of other violent crimes, as it ranked 14th in the state for rape cases and held the third-highest overall rate of violent crime.
- Population: 140,193
- Rank Last Year: 8 (Up 2)
- Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,086 (Third most dangerous)
- Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,845 (14th most dangerous)
7. Whitehall
Moving on to our next entry, Whitehall, a suburb of Columbus, holds a position on the list of Ohio’s most perilous cities. Within the state, Whitehall records some of the most elevated rates of violent crime, even ranking 24th for its murder rate. This translates to an occurrence of homicide every other month, an alarming frequency given the city’s modest population of just 19,014 residents.
When it comes to property crime, Whitehall secures the tenth-highest rank in the state, with an average of about three incidents transpiring each day.
On a more positive note, you have the opportunity to evade these concerning statistics by indulging in a serene day at the nearby Franklin Park Conservatory.
- Population: 19,014
- Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 3)
- Violent Crimes Per 100k: 825 (Eighth most dangerous)
- Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,428 (Tenth most dangerous)