| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Cleveland/100k people | Ohio/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 21,720 | n/a (estimate) | 5,987 | 1,845 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 109 | n/a | 30.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 511 | n/a | 140.9 | 45.7 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 1,412 | n/a | 389.2 | 45.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 3,631 | n/a | 1,000.9 | 197.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 5,663 | n/a (estimate) | 1,561 | 294 | 359 |
| Burglary | 3,121 | n/a | 860.3 | 206.0 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 8,777 | n/a | 2,419.5 | 1,132.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 4,159 | n/a | 1,146.5 | 212.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 16,057 | n/a (estimate) | 4,426 | 1,551 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Cleveland is 182.5% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Cleveland, there were 5663 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1561 per 100,000 individuals, 334.7% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 16057 property crimes, amounting to 4426 per 100,000 residents, 151.5% higher than the U.S. average.
With a crime rate of 5987 per 100,000 residents, Cleveland has a crime rate that is 182.53% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in Cleveland that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.
Cleveland has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 1561 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Cleveland falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 65 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Cleveland ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Cleveland, there were a total of 109 murders, translating to 30 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
Cleveland has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4426 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Cleveland is 1 in 23, which is far higher than the national average.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Cleveland ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 4159 vehicle thefts, amounting to 1146 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Cleveland within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 88.
What is the prevailing sentiment among Cleveland residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 307 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 24% of Cleveland residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 76% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.
To determine if Cleveland 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. Cleveland has a total crime rate that is 183% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 59.51 daily crimes (15.52 violent daily crimes and 43.99 daily property crimes) in Cleveland.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Cleveland. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Cleveland has increased by 5.7%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 10.3%, while property crime has increased by 12.8%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Cleveland.
The Cleveland area comprises a diverse array of over 36 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Kamm's Corner, Downtown and Tremont which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Indurstrial Valley, Kinsmith and Saint Claire-Superior exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different Cleveland neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.
The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Cleveland crime rate. The poverty level in Cleveland is 32%, while the national average is 15.1%.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Cleveland crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Cleveland has an unemployment rate of 8.8%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
Cleveland has a population density of 5036.6 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Cleveland crime rates.
| Item | Cleveland | Ohio | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 1,709 | 17,044 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.3 | 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 |
| Broadview Heights, OH | 19,835 | 5 | 101 | 107 |
| Valley View, OH | 2,138 | 46 | 243 | 289 |
| Gates Mills, OH | 2,194 | 46 | 243 | 289 |
| Olmsted Falls, OH | 9,124 | 0 | 313 | 313 |
| Brecksville, OH | 13,792 | 7 | 306 | 313 |
| Mayfield Heights, OH | 19,024 | 20 | 298 | 318 |
| Orange, OH | 3,365 | 56 | 295 | 351 |
| Cleveland, OH | 391,340 | 1,561 | 4,426 | 5,987 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Bakersfield, CA | 390,909 | 555 | 2,470 | 3,024 |
| Aurora, CO | 393,102 | 948 | 3,104 | 4,052 |
| Wichita, KS | 398,457 | 539 | 2,303 | 2,842 |
| Tampa, FL | 403,927 | 445 | 1,465 | 1,910 |
| Arlington, TX | 406,065 | 483 | 2,413 | 2,896 |
| Cleveland, OH | 391,340 | 1,561 | 4,426 | 5,987 |
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