F
135%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
217%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
119%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleDayton/100k peopleOhio/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime7,480n/a (estimate)5,4572,0762,324
Murder34n/a24.86.16.3
Rape203n/a148.148.440.0
Robbery259n/a188.953.166.1
Assault1,109n/a809.0185.9268.2
Violent crime1,605n/a (estimate)1,171294370
Burglary1,339n/a976.8255.3269.8
Theft3,096n/a2,258.51,292.91,401.9
Vehicle theft1,440n/a1,050.4234.5282.7
Property crime5,875n/a (estimate)4,2861,7831,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Dayton, OH

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Dayton crime rate is 134.8% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Dayton, there were 1605 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1171 per 100,000 individuals, 216.6% higher than the national average. Additionally, Dayton recorded 5875 property crimes, amounting to 4286 per 100,000 residents, 119.3% higher than the U.S. average.

With a total of 5457 crimes per 100,000 people, the Dayton crime rates stand at 134.77 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in Dayton, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.

Dayton has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 1171 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Dayton falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 86 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.

Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Dayton has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 34 murders in Dayton, which is 25 murders per 100,000 people.

Dayton has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4286 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 Dayton is 1 in 24, which is far higher than the national average.

The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Dayton faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 1440 vehicle thefts, translating to 1050 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Dayton in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 96.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Dayton?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Dayton. Based on the results of the surveys (149 responses), 25% of people felt that there was very little crime in Dayton and felt safe walking alone at night. While 75% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Dayton a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Dayton 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. Dayton has a total crime rate that is 135% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 20.49 daily crimes (4.4 violent daily crimes and 16.1 daily property crimes) in Dayton.

Has Crime in Dayton Increased Since Last Year?

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 15.3%. Violent crimes have increased by 11.1%, while property crimes have increased by 16.5%. 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.

Dayton Neighborhood Crime Rates

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 64 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 Forest Ridge-Quail Hollow, Webster Station and Oregon, which provide residents with enhanced security and peace of mind. Conversely, neighborhoods like McCook Field, Lakeview and Roosevelt are marked by a higher incidence of reported crimes, warranting prudent consideration for those seeking to avoid areas with potentially elevated safety concerns.

Potential Causes for Crime in Dayton

Dayton reports an unemployment rate of 6%, 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 Dayton crime rates.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Dayton, the cost of living is 17.44% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Dayton, the average rental rates are $724 per month, compared to the national average of $949.

Dayton crime map



The Dayton crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Dayton as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Dayton crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Dayton crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Crime Quick Facts

  • Dayton crime rates are 135% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Dayton are 217% higher than the national average
  • In Dayton you have a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Dayton is safer than 2% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Dayton has increased by 18%

Dayton, OH Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Dayton (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Dayton, per 100,000 residents. In Dayton, the total number of daily crimes is 2.63 times more than the Ohio average and 2.35 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Dayton are 3.99 times more than the Ohio average and 3.17 times more than the national average. For property crime, Dayton has a daily crime rate that is 2.40 times more than the Ohio average and 2.19 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Dayton (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Dayton to every other city in Ohio, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Dayton safe? The gauges above illustrate that Dayton is safer than 1% of every city located within Ohio along with 2% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Ohio and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Dayton, OH is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Dayton

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Dayton is 1 in 86
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Dayton is 1 in 24
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Dayton is 1 in 19
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Dayton? In Dayton, you have a 1 in 86 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 24. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Dayton, OH is 1 in 19.

        Year Over Year Crime In Dayton (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Dayton, OH is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Dayton has increased by 13%, while the property crime rate in Dayton has increased by 19% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Dayton has increased by 18% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Dayton police department

        Item Dayton Ohio National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)41517,044558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.92.73.3
        There are a total of 415 Dayton police officers. This results in 2.9 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 8.2% greater than the Ohio average and 10.2% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Ohio

        State Total offenders Ohio /100K National /100K
        Ohio17,872156266
        There are a total of 17,872 sex offenders in Ohio. This yields a total of 156 sex offenders in Ohio per 100,000 residents which is 41% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Springboro, OH18,41631479509
        Union, OH6,77744539583
        Brookville, OH6,255185421606
        Bellbrook, OH7,27768585654
        Holiday Valley, OH1,57399602702
        Enon, OH2,517101613714
        Green Meadows, OH2,060115698814
        Dayton, OH140,4441,1714,2865,457

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Miramar, FL140,4792581,5631,821
        Fullerton, CA141,0613922,6533,045
        Denton, TX139,7342892,3812,669
        Midland, TX141,1944921,9102,402
        Orange, CA139,3224612,1582,618
        Dayton, OH140,4441,1714,2865,457
        Source: The Dayton, OH crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.