Dayton, Ohio, is a city with a rich history of innovation and industry, often recognized as the birthplace of aviation. Dayton neighborhoods offer a diverse range of living environments, from historic districts with beautiful architecture to more modern suburban communities. The city is known for its strong sense of community, cultural attractions, and educational institutions, making it an appealing place to live for families, professionals, and students. Whether you're interested in exploring the city's museums, enjoying the parks, or taking part in community events, Dayton offers something for everyone.
The Dayton neighborhood map is an essential tool for those looking to explore the city's varied communities. Dayton neighborhoods range from bustling urban areas to quieter, more residential suburbs. The map highlights neighborhoods with higher livability scores in green, indicating areas with superior amenities, safety, and overall quality of life. Conversely, neighborhoods with lower scores are marked in red, providing a clear picture of areas that may face more challenges, such as higher crime rates or fewer amenities.
| # | Hood | Population | Area (km 2) | Livability Score |
| 1 | Patterson Park | 1,419 | 0.68 | 82 |
| 2 | Downtown | 1,863 | 1.5 | 80 |
| 3 | Webster Station | 668 | 0.68 | 79 |
| 4 | Shroyer Park | 3,120 | 1.08 | 79 |
| 5 | Oregon | 1,468 | 0.73 | 78 |
The best Dayton neighborhoods are identified by their high livability scores, which consider factors such as access to local amenities, low crime rates, and the quality of schools. These neighborhoods offer a balanced lifestyle, with easy access to parks, cultural attractions, and vibrant dining and shopping scenes. Whether you're a young professional, a family, or a retiree, the best Dayton neighborhoods provide a high quality of life in a city that combines tradition with modern conveniences.
| # | Hood | Population | Area (km 2) | Livability Score |
| 1 | Stoney Ridge | 1,554 | 5.31 | 44 |
| 2 | Residence Park | 3,486 | 3.88 | 45 |
| 3 | Arlington Heights | 296 | 1.09 | 45 |
| 4 | Wolf Creek | 490 | 0.78 | 45 |
| 5 | Wesleyan Hill | 1,612 | 1.17 | 46 |
The worst Dayton neighborhoods tend to have lower livability scores due to challenges such as higher crime rates, economic difficulties, and fewer amenities. These areas may struggle with issues like underperforming schools and limited community resources, making them less desirable places to live. While every neighborhood in Dayton has its own unique character, those classified among the worst Dayton neighborhoods often face significant challenges that impact the overall quality of life in the area.
| # | Hood | Population | Area (km 2) | Livability Score |
| 1 | University Park | 9,495 | 3.14 | 66 |
| 2 | Belmont | 9,424 | 4.86 | 61 |
| 3 | Old North Dayton | 6,004 | 5.84 | 48 |
| 4 | Walnut Hills | 5,549 | 1.48 | 66 |
| 5 | Linden Heights | 5,532 | 2.03 | 55 |
| 6 | Eastern Hills | 4,593 | 2.7 | 58 |
| 7 | West Wood | 4,233 | 3.74 | 47 |
| 8 | Wright View | 3,702 | 1.84 | 51 |
| 9 | North Riverdale | 3,698 | 1.6 | 53 |
| 10 | Residence Park | 3,486 | 3.88 | 45 |
Early poets hailing from Dayton called it "the gem of Ohio" because of its beautiful country and its smart development. It's easy to see that the city, hailing about 140,000 residents, is a great place for families or anyone looking to find a wholesome Midwestern town. It is the hometown of the Wright brothers and known as the birthplace of aviation, with healthcare being the primary economic driver in the city. The University of Dayton brings in fresh perspectives to the town, while the calm and crime free neighborhoods outside the city are great for families.
With excellent employment and a relatively low crime rate, Pheasant Hill would be a pleasant place to live within the Dayton city limits. Sunny weather and high graduation rates make the area a great place to raise children. The cost of living is just right and very affordable; however, the housing affordability is not quite up to speed, with median home values being 140% higher than in the rest of Dayton. It is clearly a very valued area, which is reflected in its reputation as one of the best places to live in this city. It is far enough away from the city to be far from the issues that most metropolitan areas have, but still is close enough to get to in a reasonable amount of time. It is ranked the number 1 neighborhood in Dayton, which says something right?
Unlike Pheasant Hill, there are a lot of amenities close by at Patterson Park, which is a neighborhood southeast of downtown Dayton. The crime is much higher in this area and the housing prices seem to be steeper than in much of this city, but there are several parks and it is quite close to the University of Dayton, making this neighborhood an excellent place for students. And with only about 1,500 residents, it is a quiet place. However, there is little in the way of employment in this area. We recommend that singles and students look into Patterson Park, but maybe not people with families. Even with these issues, it is voted as one of the best neighborhoods in Dayton.
University Park is our final look at Dayton, Ohio. It has one of the highest scores of all the neighborhoods of Dayton, most likely because it has such great amenities and cost of living is low, but there are some serious issues with this area. Obviously by the name, University Park is where the University of Dayton is located, and its issues reflect many issues that arise in college areas. For one, the crime is higher than average; this is not the area to raise a family. Two, the employment opportunities are slim to none, and three, the housing prices are sky high. It also has one of the highest populations of any area in Dayton, with almost 10,000 people making up the neighborhood.