| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Dayton/100k people | Ohio/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 7,651 | n/a (estimate) | 5,673 | 1,845 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 40 | n/a | 29.7 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 157 | n/a | 116.4 | 45.7 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 341 | n/a | 252.9 | 45.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 1,268 | n/a | 940.3 | 197.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,806 | n/a (estimate) | 1,339 | 294 | 359 |
| Burglary | 1,159 | n/a | 859.4 | 206.0 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,892 | n/a | 2,144.5 | 1,132.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 1,794 | n/a | 1,330.3 | 212.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 5,845 | n/a (estimate) | 4,334 | 1,551 | 1,760 |
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 Dayton is 167.7% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 1806 violent crimes reported in Dayton, equivalent to 1339 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 272.9%. Additionally, Dayton recorded 5845 property crimes, amounting to 4334 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 146.3%.
In Dayton, the crime rate stands at 5673 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 167.72%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Dayton that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
Dayton ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 1339 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Dayton stand at 1 in every 75 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Dayton stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Dayton, there were a total of 40 murders, translating to 30 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
Dayton faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 4334 incidents per 100,000 people. This places the city among the worst 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Regrettably, the likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Dayton stands at 1 in 24, significantly surpassing the national average. These statistics underscore the imperative need for bolstered community safety measures to mitigate property crimes and enhance the well-being of its residents.
With a total of 1794 vehicle thefts last year, Dayton has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 1330 per 100,000 people. This lands Dayton in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 76.
AreaVibes surveyed 156 local residents in Dayton to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 25% of people answered that there was very little crime in Dayton and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 75% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Dayton a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Dayton crime rate is 168% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 20.96 crimes per day - 4.95 violent crimes and 16.01 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Dayton. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Dayton has increased by 18%. Violent crimes have increased by 25%, while property crimes have increased by 16%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
Typically, densely populated areas in close proximity to the city center tend to experience higher crime rates compared to neighborhoods that are situated on the city's periphery. Dayton, an expansive urban metropolis, has more than 63 distinct neighborhoods, each bearing its unique crime rate characteristics. The prevalence of criminal activity varies significantly among these neighborhoods. Noteworthy among safest neighborhoods in Dayton are areas such as South Park, Gateway and Grafton Hill, which provide residents with enhanced security and peace of mind. Conversely, neighborhoods like Roosevelt, Stoney Ridge and Santa Clara are marked by a higher incidence of reported crimes, warranting prudent consideration for those seeking to avoid areas with potentially elevated safety concerns.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Dayton crime rates. In Dayton, the poverty rate stands at 29.6%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
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. Dayton, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 6.3%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Dayton, 77.7% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
| Item | Dayton | Ohio | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 415 | 17,044 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.9 | 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 |
| Bellbrook, OH | 7,424 | 40 | 457 | 497 |
| Enon, OH | 2,572 | 88 | 466 | 554 |
| Holiday Valley, OH | 1,613 | 93 | 490 | 583 |
| Farmersville, OH | 1,131 | 95 | 502 | 598 |
| Springboro, OH | 19,037 | 46 | 602 | 648 |
| Green Meadows, OH | 2,103 | 104 | 551 | 655 |
| Crystal Lakes, OH | 1,529 | 135 | 714 | 849 |
| Dayton, OH | 145,927 | 1,339 | 4,334 | 5,673 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Syracuse, NY | 146,063 | 765 | 4,234 | 4,999 |
| Murfreesboro, TN | 146,103 | 420 | 2,022 | 2,442 |
| Fullerton, CA | 146,103 | 455 | 2,024 | 2,479 |
| Midland, TX | 145,324 | 365 | 1,612 | 1,977 |
| Pasadena, CA | 146,628 | 480 | 2,697 | 3,177 |
| Dayton, OH | 145,927 | 1,339 | 4,334 | 5,673 |
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