Safest cities in Ohio

Known as the 'Buckeye State,' Ohio is a blend of bustling cities, picturesque rural areas, and a rich industrial heritage. Located in the Midwestern United States, Ohio boasts diverse geography that includes the Great Lakes shoreline, rolling hills, and fertile plains. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and education. Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus are major cultural and economic hubs, known for their vibrant arts scenes, historic sites, and thriving business communities. Ohio is also rich in history, with landmarks such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton celebrating its heritage.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Ohio particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Ohio's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Ohio's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

Kirtland Population: 6,801 58 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 58 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Kirtland proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Ohio. With only 58 crimes per 100,000 people, Kirtland has a crime rate that is 93% lower than the Ohio average. This equates to an average of 0.01 crimes per day and a 1 in 1,725 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

St. Clairsville Population: 5,080 100 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 60 Property Crime / 100k: 40 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, St. Clairsville comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Ohio with a crime rate of 100 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 0 counts of burglary, 40 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 40 counts of assault, 20 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in St. Clairsville, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

New Philadelphia Population: 17,485 131 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 23 Property Crime / 100k: 109 chance of being a victim: 1 in 761

With a population of 17,485 and a total crime rate of 131 per 100,000 residents, New Philadelphia is the 3rd safest city in Ohio. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 82% lower than the Ohio average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Broadview Heights Population: 19,195 154 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 10 Property Crime / 100k: 144 chance of being a victim: 1 in 650

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Broadview Heights is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 154, 81% lower than the Ohio average. This amounts to 0.08 crimes per day and a 1 in 650 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Broadview Heights a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Ada Population: 5,248 191 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 191 chance of being a victim: 1 in 524

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Ada consistently ranks high in safety. In Ada, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 191, which is 95% lower than the state average.

Toronto Population: 5,357 266 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 133 Property Crime / 100k: 133 chance of being a victim: 1 in 376

Toronto has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Ohio. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 266 crimes per 100,000 people, 95% lower than the Ohio average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 0 reports of burglary, 133 reports of theft, 0 reports of vehicle theft, 57 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 57 reports of rape and 19 reports of homicide.

Grafton Population: 6,017 285 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 285 chance of being a victim: 1 in 351

Grafton ranks as the seventh safest city in Ohio and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 351 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.04 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Grafton’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Ohio.

Columbiana Population: 6,498 309 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 309 chance of being a victim: 1 in 324

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Columbiana is the 8th safest city in Ohio. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 93% lower than the Ohio average, reporting a total of 309 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Willowick Population: 14,103 319 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 50 Property Crime / 100k: 269 chance of being a victim: 1 in 313

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Willowick is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Ohio, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 319 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 86% lower than the state average.

Bay Village Population: 15,258 366 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 44 Property Crime / 100k: 322 chance of being a victim: 1 in 273

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Ohio, is Bay Village. With a low rate of crime that included 19 burglaries, 253 thefts, 51 vehicle thefts, 44 assaults, 0 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 84% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Ohio

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Kirtland	6,801	0	58	58
2	St. Clairsville	5,080	60	40	100
3	New Philadelphia	17,485	23	109	131
4	Broadview Heights	19,195	10	144	154
5	Ada	5,248	0	191	191
6	Toronto	5,357	133	133	266
7	Grafton	6,017	0	285	285
8	Columbiana	6,498	0	309	309
9	Willowick	14,103	50	269	319
10	Bay Village	15,258	44	322	366
11	Brecksville	13,521	30	356	386
12	Parma Heights	19,916	25	389	414
13	North Ridgeville	33,961	41	392	433
14	Canfield	7,226	13	424	437
15	Hudson	22,249	26	419	445
16	Munroe Falls	5,069	140	320	459
17	Westlake	32,154	42	418	459
18	Avon Lake	24,309	70	433	503
19	Springboro	18,416	31	479	509
20	Berea	18,713	37	502	539
21	Cortland	6,818	56	494	550
22	North Royalton	30,179	39	528	567
23	Dover	12,754	131	441	572
24	Olmsted Falls	8,892	23	557	580
25	Union	6,777	44	539	583
26	Granville	5,829	70	523	592
27	Aurora	16,165	34	566	600
28	Wyoming	8,540	23	578	601
29	Brookville	6,255	185	421	606
30	Mentor-on-the-Lake	7,391	85	523	608
31	New Franklin	14,143	58	560	618
32	Fairview Park	16,219	71	553	624
33	Brunswick	34,902	108	517	624
34	Perrysburg	21,566	16	616	632
35	Shaker Heights	27,148	56	584	640
36	Pepper Pike	6,319	29	615	644
37	Waterville	5,519	133	515	648
38	Loveland	13,911	46	603	649
39	Powell	13,353	42	611	652
40	Bellbrook	7,277	68	585	654
41	Mason	33,592	14	668	682
42	Pataskala	15,751	77	645	722
43	Twinsburg	18,754	77	655	732
44	Ironton	10,749	145	592	737
45	Seven Hills	11,597	96	669	764
46	Amherst	12,193	8	762	770
47	Rocky River	20,115	80	709	788
48	Medina	26,026	85	710	795
49	Delphos	7,066	171	628	799
50	Highland Heights	8,375	23	785	808

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Ohio is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Ohio cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.