| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Bellefontaine/100k people | Ohio/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 126 | n/a (estimate) | 896 | 1,845 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 45.7 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 45.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 15 | n/a | 106.7 | 197.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 15 | n/a (estimate) | 107 | 294 | 359 |
| Burglary | 9 | n/a | 64.0 | 206.0 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 94 | n/a | 668.5 | 1,132.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 8 | n/a | 56.9 | 212.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 111 | n/a (estimate) | 789 | 1,551 | 1,760 |
The Bellefontaine crime rates are 57.7% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 15 violent crimes in Bellefontaine (107 per 100,000 people), which is 70.3% lower than the national average and there were a total of 111 property crimes (789 per 100,000 residents) which is 55.2% lower than average.
Bellefontaine has one of the lowest violent crime rates of all cities in the United States. With a rate of 107 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Bellefontaine ranks among the safest cities in the United States making it an attractive choice for those seeking a new place to call home.
Bellefontaine showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.
To determine if Bellefontaine 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. Bellefontaine has a total crime rate that is 58% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.35 daily crimes (0.04 violent daily crimes and 0.3 daily property crimes) in Bellefontaine.
Year-over-year crime rates in Bellefontaine has decreased by 33% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Bellefontaine is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 25%, while property crime has decreased by 33.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Bellefontaine.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Bellefontaine, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.7%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
Bellefontaine has a population density of 1358.9 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Bellefontaine crime rates.
The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Bellefontaine, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 2.18, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.
| Item | Bellefontaine | Ohio | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 29 | 17,044 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.2 | 2.7 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Ohio /100K | National /100K |
| Ohio | 17,872 | 156 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Jackson Center, OH | 1,610 | 86 | 453 | 539 |
| De Graff, OH | 1,445 | 105 | 552 | 656 |
| West Liberty, OH | 1,639 | 106 | 558 | 664 |
| North Lewisburg, OH | 1,633 | 109 | 575 | 684 |
| Russells Point, OH | 1,470 | 122 | 644 | 766 |
| Lakeview, OH | 1,171 | 132 | 695 | 826 |
| Huntsville, OH | 512 | 236 | 1,243 | 1,479 |
| Bellefontaine, OH | 13,658 | 107 | 789 | 896 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Port Royal, SC | 13,654 | 130 | 1,223 | 1,353 |
| Richton Park, IL | 13,649 | 328 | 2,109 | 2,437 |
| Huron, SD | 13,672 | 292 | 1,513 | 1,805 |
| Montgomeryville, PA | 13,672 | 94 | 547 | 640 |
| Auburn, IN | 13,673 | 7 | 421 | 428 |
| Bellefontaine, OH | 13,658 | 107 | 789 | 896 |
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