Garfield Heights, OH Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Garfield Heights, OH

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Garfield Heights is 3.5% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 140 violent crimes reported in Garfield Heights, equivalent to 482 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 30.5%. Additionally, Garfield Heights recorded 511 property crimes, amounting to 1761 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 9.9%.

When assessing the overall crime rate in Garfield Heights per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes, underscores the close alignment of reported Garfield Heights crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Garfield Heights ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Garfield Heights, there were a total of 8 murders, translating to 28 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.

Garfield Heights maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Garfield Heights, 1761 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Garfield Heights?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Garfield Heights residents. Out of the respondents (38 in total), 26% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Garfield Heights were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 74% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Garfield Heights a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Garfield Heights is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Garfield Heights has a total crime rate that is 3% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 1.78 daily crimes (0.38 violent daily crimes and 1.4 daily property crimes) in Garfield Heights.

Potential Causes for Crime in Garfield Heights

Garfield Heights reports an unemployment rate of 6.1%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Garfield Heights crime rates.

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Garfield Heights crime rates. Garfield Heights registers a population density of 3827.8 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

In Garfield Heights, 81.5% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

Garfield Heights crime map