The 25 Most Dangerous Cities In Ohio: 2023's Ultimate List

Ohio is just as known for baseball as is it is the Pro Football Hall of Fame and even the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. However, in some cities, Ohio residents know it most for the crime rate. The state of Ohio itself is relatively safe, but not every city within it is.

Based on FBI statistics, Chillicothe, Canton, Cleveland, Springfield, and Portsmouth are the most dangerous cities in Ohio. When it comes to violent and property crimes, these cities rank highest per capita consistently, with between 109 – 214% higher crime occurrences than all of the other cities in Ohio. Other areas you should avoid include Whitehall, Dayton, and Logan.

A lot of the tourist attractions, like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, are in somewhat dangerous areas. Because of that, both tourists and would-be Ohio residents should think about safety in the city.

In this guide, we will explore the most dangerous cities in Ohio. Follow along as we go over crime rates, notable stats, and important staples of each city.

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Before Columbus was the capital of Ohio, Chillicothe had the honor. Now, Chillicothe has the honor of being the most dangerous city in Ohio. You are 3.5 times more likely to experience a property crime in Chillicothe than the rest of Ohio.

According to FBI statistics, there were 475 violent crimes and 7,268 property crimes in Chillicothe. These crimes included everything from murder and assault to auto theft and burglaries.

The total reported amount of crime for the 2020 calendar year was 7,743. In a population of 21,748, that is a significant amount of crime, which is why Chillicothe is in the number one spot. There is 248% higher crime here than in any other city in Ohio.

Chillicothe only spans 10.5 miles, but that makes the 163 crimes per square mile more unnerving. Violence is a part of life in Chillicothe, and it plagues 1 out of 209 people.

Canton is well known for the Professional Football Hall of Fame. Sadly, Canton is also well known for how dangerous it is. Canton is more dangerous than 99% of other American cities.

In the 2020 calendar year, there have been reports of 1,429 violent crimes and 3,411 property crimes. These crimes include the worst such as murder and rape. They also include property-based crimes, such as burglary and auto theft.

Canton is no stranger to poverty. Exactly 31.7% of people in Canton live below the poverty line. The widespread poverty in Canton has a lot to do with the 3,790 recent property crimes.

Countless people flock to Cleveland every year to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Despite the fun tourism opportunities and attractions, Cleveland is a dangerous city. Both violent crime and property crime in Cleveland have increased by 5% in the last few years.

Cleveland had 21,714 total crimes reported in 2020, with a population of 389,165. These crimes included everything from murder and rape to auto theft.

Of this total, there were 6,281 cases of violent crime. However, there were more than double the amount of property-based crimes, which made up 15,433 of the total.

Avoid walking alone at night as there were recently 1,774 robberies in Cleveland. Cleveland’s violent crime rate is higher than the rest of the state, and 1 out of 69 people are victims.

Springfield is only a 45-50 minute drive from the state’s capital, Columbus. Property crime is nothing new in Springfield, and it affects 1 out of 19 people. However, property crime is slowly dying down in Springfield and recently saw a 30% decrease.

According to FBI statistics, there were a total of 5,711 reported crimes in Springfield during the 2020 calendar year. These crimes included murder, assault, rape, grand theft auto, burglary, and other property crimes.

Property crime far surpassed violent crime at 5,135 per 100,000 people. The violent crime came in at 578 cases per capita amongst a population of 59,761.

There are 136 crimes per square mile in Springfield. North and south Cincinnati are not too bad, but mid-city Cincinnati is dangerous. Watch your back if you find yourself on Selma Road or East Main Street.

There is beauty to behold in Portsmouth, such as the famed floodwall murals. However, the 1 out of 19 risk of falling victim to a property crime overshadows some of the good. Violent crime is not as big of a worry as property crime for the citizens of Portsmouth.

There were a total of 5,360 total reported crimes for Portsmouth, a population of 20,393. These crimes included both property and violent crimes alike.

There were 695 violent crimes and 4,665 property crimes per capita for the 2020 calendar year. While this doesn’t seem like much, over a quarter of the residents, fell victim to these horrible crimes.

Portsmouth is one of the poorest Ohio cities. The poverty rate in Portsmouth is 35%. Over 6,500 people in Portsmouth reportedly live in poverty.

Whitehall is the 6th most dangerous Ohio city, but it has the 3rd most property crimes relative to population. There were recently 5,254 crimes reported in Whitehall, and 4,428 were property crimes.

The total number of reported crimes includes murder, rape, and assault, including the most heinous. This number also reflects property-based crimes as well. There were 826 violent crimes that contributed to the total.

Keep in mind that this is within a population of 18,596. This means that over 1/3 of the residents have fallen victim to some sort of crime, be it violent or property.

Many people know Dayton as the birthplace of the Wright brothers. Others may know Dayton for its alarming crime rate. For every group of 1,000 Dayton residents, 54 of them suffer a crime.

According to FBI statistics, there were a total of 6,914 reported crimes in the 2020 calendar year. These crimes reflect everything from murder and rape to grand theft, auto, and property destruction.

Property crime outweighed violent crime in 2020. There were a total of 5,391 property crime incidents reported. The violent crime was still high, at 1,523 per capita in a population of 141,143.

Violent crime recently saw a 5% increase. However, as violence has risen in Dayton, property crime has dropped by 4%. Dayton still has the most property crime in Dayton despite the decrease in crime.

Logan, Ohio is a great place to visit or live if you love the outdoors. There are spas, forest views, and excellent restaurants in Logan. All of the great things that Logan has to offer come at the price of danger.

Logan, Ohio, had 4,881 reported crimes total for the 2020 calendar year. These crimes include everything from murder to auto and property thefts.

Of the 4,881 total crimes, there were only 186 violent ones reported. However, this is among a population of 7,205. There were 4,695 property crimes per capita to make up the total.

Thankfully, assaults, rapes, murders, and robberies are mostly rare in Logan. Recently, Logan has had 28 violent incidents. Most of Logan is relatively safe but avoids Haydenville to steer clear of where the crime occurs.

Lima is small in diameter for such a high population. The city of Lima is confined to 13.76 square miles. Each square mile in Lima boasts 138 crimes.

The total recent crimes in Lima consist of 4,073 property crimes and 707 violent crimes per capita. FBI statistics show that there was 4,780 total reported crimes for the 2020 calendar year. This includes everything from murder to property crimes.

In America, the average poverty rate is 13.1%. Lima’s poverty rate is almost double the nationwide average at 25.8%. South Metcalf Street, City Center, and South Pine Street are particularly rough areas in Lima.

Big cities like Cincinnati are often home to a high crime rate. Cincinnati packs over 302,000 people into 79 square miles. Sadly, 25.2% of Cincinnati citizens live in poverty. Find out what the cost of living is in Cincinnati.

Neighborhoods in Cincinnati such as Fairmount, Avondale, and English Woods are crime hotspots. You are more likely to suffer a property crime in Cincinnati than an act of violence. Theft, car theft, and burglary affect 1 out of 22 Cincinnati residents.

In a city with a population of 298,011, there have been a total of 13,945 reported crimes. These crimes consisted of murder, rape, assault, robbery, car theft, and other property theft.

FBI statistics show that of the 13,945 cases, there were 2,721 violent crimes and 11,224 property crimes reported per capita. These were the numbers reflected for the 2020 calendar year.

You may be familiar with Akron as the home of Goodyear Tire. Property crimes in Akron are proportional to the city’s population. In Akron, there are 36 property crimes per 1,000 residents.

In Ohio, one out of every 357 people is a victim of violence. However, with 1 out of every 116 individuals, violence is more likely in these Akron communities. Property crime is the most serious concern in Akron, affecting one out of every 27 residents.

According to FBI stats, there were a total of 8,768 crimes in Akron for the 2020 calendar year. These crimes included both violent and property crimes alike.

Of these 8,768 crimes, there were 6,971 property-based incidents and 1,797 violent crimes per capita. This is among a population of 198,508.

Given the small size of Youngstown, the 78 crimes per square mile rate is alarming. Youngstown has three times the rate of violent crime as the rest of Ohio.

Theft has been recorded 1,262 times in the last year, with 19 people per 1,000 in Youngstown experiencing it. In Youngstown, you have a 1 in 28 chance of being a victim of property crime. In Youngstown, home security is essential, as there have been 825 recent burglaries.

In total, there have been 4,220 reported crimes, according to FBI statistics. Overall, these include the 666 violent crimes and the 3,444 property crimes.

In the 2020 calendar year, FBI statistics show a total of 4,011 reported crimes. These crimes consisted of everything from rape and murder to burglary and car theft.

Of the 4,011 total reported crimes, 426 violent crimes, and 3,585 property crimes were reported per capita. This is within a population of 62,259.

In Hamilton, your chances of becoming a victim of crime might range from 1 in 11 in the north to 1 in 26 in the southeast. However, see the section on understanding the crime map because comparing crime or any other crime rates is not as simple as it may appear.

This city was originally known as “Glass City” due to the city’s large window and bottle manufacturing industry. Murder, burglary, assault, and car theft are common crimes in today’s metropolis of 288,000 people. The crime appears to have peaked in 2010, but it continues to be a problem.

According to FBI statistics, there were a total of 10,578 reported crimes during the 2020 calendar year. These crimes included murder, rape, assault, burglary, grand theft auto, and other property-based incidents.

Of these 10,578 reported crimes, there were far more property-based incidents than violent ones. Violent crimes totaled 2,729, while property crime toppled in at 7,849 per capita. At this time, there were 280,840 people who lived here.

Columbus is Ohio’s capital and is located near the state’s center. With 837,038 citizens, Columbus is the 15th most populous city in the country. It is home to Ohio State University as well as several prominent hospitals.

The insurance, finance, defense, food, and steel industries are all in Columbus. In addition, Columbus has one of the highest crime rates for a city of its size. Anyone living or visiting here has a 1 in 22 risks of becoming a victim.

During the 2020 calendar year, there were 33,594 total crimes reported. These crimes included both violent and property crimes alike.

There were far more property crimes committed, totaling 28,530. Violent crimes totaled 5,064. However, within a population of 837,038, these aren’t bad numbers. Although, realistically, any amount of crime is bad.

In Nelsonville, your chances of becoming a victim of crime are as high as 1 in 27 in the east areas and as low as 1 in 46 in the south.

According to FBI statistics, there were a whopping 3,606 reported crimes for this city of 5,249. These crimes included everything from murder to burglary.

Property crime surpassed the amount of violent crime in 2020. There were only 372 violent crimes, which is still high from such a small population. However, there were 3,234 reported cases of property crimes.

Euclid is a Cleveland, Ohio suburb towards the east. It is situated between two railroad tracks, yet its economy has never thrived. Construction, transportation, manufacturing, and warehousing are the most common businesses that employ people.

There were a total of 3,386 reported crimes in 2020 for Euclid. These crimes included violent crimes and property crimes alike. However, there were more property crimes than violent crimes in 2020. Violent crimes totaled 519 among a population of 47,863. But property crimes were reported as 2,868 per capita.

Warren is 55 miles south of Cleveland and 15 miles north of Youngstown in the state of Ohio. Trumble Memorial Hospital, Tribune Chronicle, and Delphi Packard Electrical are among the major employers, yet the average salary is only $30,000.

Among a population of 40,433, there were a total of 3,240 reported crimes in 2020. These crimes included murder, rape, assault, car theft, burglary, and property damage.

However, there were significantly fewer violent crimes than property crimes during this time. Violent crimes were reported as 450, while property crimes totaled 2,790 per capita.

Cambridge is a small town in southern Ohio that is situated on the Appalachian Plateau. The town, which has a population of only 10,495 people, is densely populated. The “S” shaped bridges and Cambridge and Mosser Glass factories are well-known.

Unfortunately, poverty and criminality are both high in Cambridge. The likelihood of becoming a victim of crime is 46 in 1,000, making it one of Ohio’s most dangerous cities.

In 2020, there were a total of 3,470 reported crimes for this small city. These crimes included violent crimes such as rape and assault and property crimes.

Violent crimes were less common in 2020 than property crimes. There were a total of 87 reported violent crimes, while property crimes totaled 3,382 instances.

Garfield Heights is a Cleveland suburb with a thriving economy. The headquarters of a gas tank manufacturer, the district’s Ohio Department of Transportation, and the Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union are still located there.

Unfortunately, crime has always been prevalent in this small city of 28,207 people, and it has only gotten worse. Every day, at least 11 offenses are reported. The median household income in this area is only $40,000, and poverty is widespread.

Therefore it’s not surprising that according to FBI stats, there were a total of 3,118 reported crimes in 2020. These crimes included both violent and property crimes.

Of these 3,118 reported crimes, there were 446 violent crimes and 2,672 property crimes in 2020. While these numbers are on the lower side, it’s still pretty high for a population of 28,207.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Lorain, known as the “International City,” had a wave of European immigration. Jobs were available in the city’s steel mill and shipyard.

Lorain was a major manufacturing town on the banks of Lake Erie, near the mouth of the Black River, 30 miles west of Cleveland. Before collapsing in the second half of the twentieth century, Ford Motor Company also provided many jobs. However, poverty and crime are at all-time highs in today’s Lorain due to the falter.

According to FBI statistics, there were a total of 2,872 crimes reported. These included 506 violent crimes and 2,366 property crimes per capita. While this is considerably lower than other cities, it’s still enough to be on Ohio’s list of its most dangerous cities.

In Reynoldsburg, your chances of becoming a victim of crime might range from 1 in 39 in southwest neighborhoods to 1 in 68 in northeast neighborhoods.

In 2020, there were a total of 2,816 reported crimes in Reynoldsburg. These crimes included murder, rape, assault, burglary, car theft, and other property crimes.

There were 355 violent crimes and 2,461 crimes per capita reported in 2020. Considering there were only 36,995 residents at this time, these numbers are pretty significant regarding the safety of this area.

Middletown, Ohio, was founded in 1833 and grew rapidly during the twentieth century as a result of its steel factories. Miami University is located in the city, which is 30 miles from Cincinnati.

There are 48,527 people living in a 26-and-a-half-square-mile area. The median household income is $40,000. Middleton has a high crime rate despite having a once-thriving steel sector and being home to one of Ohio’s best universities.

In 2020 there were a total of 2,698 reported crimes for Middletown. These crimes ranged from the most serious, such as murder, to property-based crimes, such as auto theft.

There were significantly more property crimes than there were violent crimes. Of the 2,698 total, there were 301 violent crimes and 2,397 property crimes.

Elyria, Ohio, is located south of Lorain and 25 miles west of Cleveland, along the Black River. Elyria’s economy suffered when nearby automobile manufacturing plants closed.

For example, Bendix, 3M, and Riddell relocated their operations from the city to neighboring areas. The once-bustling Midway Mall, which first opened in 1967, is mostly vacant. Elyria is working hard to restore itself, but crime is still a problem.

While it’s mostly safe to live here and visit, there were still 1,716 crimes reported in 2020. However, these mainly were property crimes, and not of the violent kinds. Violent crimes make up 253 of the total, while property crimes make up the rest at 1,462 per capita.

Marrietta is located along the Ohio River in southeastern Ohio. West Virginia helped the community thrive in the railroad and oil industries during the nineteenth century.

Unfortunately, the small town, which has a population of only 13,912 people, is also plagued by crime. With a median income of $34,000, poverty is widespread. In Marietta, the chances of becoming a victim of crime are 1 in 23.

According to FBI statistics, there were a total of 1,340 reported crimes. These included both violent and property-based crimes. Of this total, there were 113 violent crimes and 1,227 property crimes per capita.

Canton, Chillicothe, and Whitehall are the most dangerous cities in Ohio. Ohio is the 35th most dangerous state, as well as the 9th cheapest state to live in.

If you want to visit tourist spots in Ohio, such as Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, check out a crime map or use a ride-sharing service instead of walking the streets. Ohio is a great state, and many of its cities are staples of Americana.

Don’t hesitate to visit or move to Ohio for fear of crime. Instead, go there prepared by reading up on recent incidents and planning a safe trip!