| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Nelsonville/100k people | Ohio/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 83 | n/a (estimate) | 1,827 | 2,076 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 22.0 | 6.1 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 22.0 | 48.4 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 1 | n/a | 22.0 | 53.1 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 8 | n/a | 176.1 | 185.9 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 11 | n/a (estimate) | 242 | 294 | 370 |
| Burglary | 20 | n/a | 440.3 | 255.3 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 48 | n/a | 1,056.8 | 1,292.9 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 4 | n/a | 88.1 | 234.5 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 72 | n/a (estimate) | 1,585 | 1,783 | 1,954 |
The Nelsonville crime rates are 21.4% 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 11 violent crimes in Nelsonville (242 per 100,000 people), which is 34.5% lower than the national average and there were a total of 72 property crimes (1585 per 100,000 residents) which is 18.9% lower than average.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Nelsonville 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 1 murders in Nelsonville, which is 22 murders per 100,000 people.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Nelsonville. Based on the results of the surveys (9 responses), 33% of people felt that there was very little crime in Nelsonville and felt safe walking alone at night. While 67% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Nelsonville 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 Nelsonville crime rate is 21% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.23 crimes per day - 0.03 violent crimes and 0.2 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Nelsonville. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Nelsonville has increased by 22.1%. Violent crimes have increased by 83.3%, while property crimes have increased by 16.1%. 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.
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 Nelsonville 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. Nelsonville has an unemployment rate of 5.6%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Nelsonville, 81.7% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
In Nelsonville, the average rental rates are $749 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
| Item | Nelsonville | Ohio | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 13 | 17,044 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.4 | 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 |
| The Plains, OH | 2,813 | 145 | 880 | 1,026 |
| Hide-A-Way Hills, OH | 833 | 145 | 881 | 1,027 |
| Glouster, OH | 1,626 | 161 | 978 | 1,139 |
| Chauncey, OH | 840 | 162 | 981 | 1,143 |
| McArthur, OH | 1,501 | 171 | 1,710 | 1,881 |
| Logan, OH | 6,677 | 310 | 1,883 | 2,193 |
| Athens, OH | 24,978 | 169 | 2,246 | 2,415 |
| Nelsonville, OH | 4,785 | 242 | 1,585 | 1,827 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Farmington, ME | 4,785 | 93 | 1,037 | 1,130 |
| East Merrimack, NH | 4,786 | 71 | 571 | 642 |
| Colville, WA | 4,786 | 40 | 398 | 438 |
| Stafford Springs, CT | 4,784 | 170 | 1,697 | 1,867 |
| North Westport, MA | 4,787 | 238 | 791 | 1,029 |
| Nelsonville, OH | 4,785 | 242 | 1,585 | 1,827 |
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