| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Dayton/100k people | Texas/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 174 | n/a (estimate) | 1,841 | 2,732 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 21.2 | 6.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 2 | n/a | 21.2 | 50.0 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 5 | n/a | 52.9 | 70.5 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 18 | n/a | 190.5 | 304.7 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 27 | n/a (estimate) | 286 | 432 | 370 |
| Burglary | 31 | n/a | 328.0 | 334.3 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 89 | n/a | 941.7 | 1,634.4 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 27 | n/a | 285.7 | 331.2 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 147 | n/a (estimate) | 1,555 | 2,300 | 1,954 |
The Dayton crime rates are 20.8% 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 27 violent crimes in Dayton (286 per 100,000 people), which is 22.8% lower than the national average and there were a total of 147 property crimes (1555 per 100,000 residents) which is 20.4% lower than average.
While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Dayton stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Dayton, a total of 2 murders were reported, equating to 21 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Dayton. Based on the results of the surveys (5 responses), 40% of people felt that there was very little crime in Dayton and felt safe walking alone at night. While 60% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
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 21% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.48 daily crimes (0.07 violent daily crimes and 0.4 daily property crimes) in Dayton.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Dayton. 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 Dayton has decreased by 2.3%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 42.1%, while property crime has decreased by 7.6%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Dayton.
Dayton reports an unemployment rate of 3.6%, 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.
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, 78.4% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
Dayton has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 3.37 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.
| Item | Dayton | Texas | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 25 | 46,020 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.4 | 3.0 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Texas /100K | National /100K |
| Texas | 95,281 | 443 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Old River-Winfree, TX | 1,641 | 198 | 1,052 | 1,249 |
| Sheldon, TX | 2,179 | 209 | 1,113 | 1,322 |
| Crosby, TX | 2,276 | 217 | 1,156 | 1,373 |
| Ames, TX | 1,071 | 224 | 1,193 | 1,418 |
| Mont Belvieu, TX | 6,180 | 247 | 1,663 | 1,910 |
| Barrett, TX | 3,389 | 402 | 2,142 | 2,544 |
| Liberty, TX | 9,299 | 364 | 2,230 | 2,594 |
| Dayton, TX | 8,546 | 286 | 1,555 | 1,841 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Helena Valley Southeast, MT | 8,546 | 409 | 1,879 | 2,288 |
| Manteno, IL | 8,545 | 249 | 1,458 | 1,707 |
| Bridgewater, MA | 8,544 | 363 | 669 | 1,032 |
| Woodbury CDP, NY | 8,549 | 151 | 604 | 755 |
| Frostburg, MD | 8,550 | 114 | 128 | 242 |
| Dayton, TX | 8,546 | 286 | 1,555 | 1,841 |
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