| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Lima/100k people | Ohio/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,426 | n/a (estimate) | 4,127 | 1,845 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 6 | n/a | 17.4 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 46 | n/a | 133.1 | 45.7 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 27 | n/a | 78.1 | 45.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 183 | n/a | 529.6 | 197.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 262 | n/a (estimate) | 758 | 294 | 359 |
| Burglary | 232 | n/a | 671.5 | 206.0 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 848 | n/a | 2,454.3 | 1,132.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 84 | n/a | 243.1 | 212.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,164 | n/a (estimate) | 3,369 | 1,551 | 1,760 |
The Lima crime rates are 94.8% higher 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 262 violent crimes in Lima (758 per 100,000 people), which is 111.2% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1164 property crimes (3369 per 100,000 residents) which is 91.4% higher than average.
In Lima, the crime rate stands at 4127 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 94.75%. 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 Lima 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.
Lima is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 758 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lima is 1 in 132.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Lima ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Lima, there were a total of 6 murders, translating to 17 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Lima residents. Out of the respondents (89 in total), 12% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Lima were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 88% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Lima 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 Lima crime rate is 95% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 3.91 crimes per day - 0.72 violent crimes and 3.19 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime rates in Lima has increased by 2.4% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Lima is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 13.4%, while property crime has increased by 0.2%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Lima.
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 Lima crime rates. In Lima, the poverty rate stands at 24.2%, diverging from the national average of 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 Lima 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. Lima has an unemployment rate of 5.6%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Lima crime rates. The population density in Lima is 2809.2 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Lima | Ohio | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 92 | 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 |
| Elida, OH | 2,036 | 86 | 453 | 539 |
| Pandora, OH | 1,291 | 107 | 562 | 669 |
| Delphos, OH | 7,315 | 85 | 625 | 710 |
| Columbus Grove, OH | 1,808 | 116 | 611 | 726 |
| Cridersville, OH | 2,030 | 121 | 636 | 756 |
| Spencerville, OH | 2,271 | 149 | 786 | 935 |
| Bluffton, OH | 4,159 | 156 | 824 | 980 |
| Lima, OH | 38,026 | 758 | 3,369 | 4,127 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Lake Worth, FL | 38,026 | 731 | 2,657 | 3,388 |
| Waxahachie, TX | 38,021 | 223 | 1,570 | 1,794 |
| Winter Springs, FL | 38,040 | 144 | 764 | 907 |
| Greenfield, WI | 38,049 | 92 | 2,308 | 2,400 |
| Addison, IL | 38,050 | 140 | 894 | 1,034 |
| Lima, OH | 38,026 | 758 | 3,369 | 4,127 |
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