Safest cities in Ohio

Known as the 'Buckeye State,' Ohio is a blend of bustling cities, picturesque rural areas, and a rich industrial heritage. Located in the Midwestern United States, Ohio boasts diverse geography that includes the Great Lakes shoreline, rolling hills, and fertile plains. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and education. Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus are major cultural and economic hubs, known for their vibrant arts scenes, historic sites, and thriving business communities. Ohio is also rich in history, with landmarks such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton celebrating its heritage.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Ohio particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Ohio's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Ohio's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

Kirtland Population: 6,801 44 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 29 Property Crime / 100k: 15 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a
Kirtland proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Ohio. With only 44 crimes per 100,000 people, Kirtland has a crime rate that is 93% lower than the Ohio average. This equates to an average of 0.01 crimes per day and a 1 in 2,294 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.
Broadview Heights Population: 19,195 97 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 15 Property Crime / 100k: 82 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a
Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Broadview Heights comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Ohio with a crime rate of 97 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 10 counts of burglary, 72 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 10 counts of assault, 5 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Broadview Heights, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.
St. Clairsville Population: 5,080 160 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 20 Property Crime / 100k: 140 chance of being a victim: 1 in 623
With a population of 5,080 and a total crime rate of 160 per 100,000 residents, St. Clairsville is the 3rd safest city in Ohio. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 95% lower than the Ohio average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.
New Philadelphia Population: 17,485 219 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 69 Property Crime / 100k: 150 chance of being a victim: 1 in 456
With many parks and recreational activities readily available, New Philadelphia is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 219, 83% lower than the Ohio average. This amounts to 0.10 crimes per day and a 1 in 456 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make New Philadelphia a highly desirable and safe place to call home.
Brook Park Population: 18,486 288 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 50 Property Crime / 100k: 238 chance of being a victim: 1 in 347
Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Brook Park consistently ranks high in safety. In Brook Park, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 288, which is 82% lower than the state average.
Parma Heights Population: 19,916 316 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 39 Property Crime / 100k: 276 chance of being a victim: 1 in 317
Parma Heights has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Ohio. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 316 crimes per 100,000 people, 80% lower than the Ohio average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 15 reports of burglary, 261 reports of theft, 0 reports of vehicle theft, 39 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.
Grafton Population: 6,017 330 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 330 chance of being a victim: 1 in 303
Grafton ranks as the seventh safest city in Ohio and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 303 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.05 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Grafton’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Ohio.
Johnstown Population: 5,149 338 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 56 Property Crime / 100k: 282 chance of being a victim: 1 in 296
Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Johnstown is the 8th safest city in Ohio. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 95% lower than the Ohio average, reporting a total of 338 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.
Columbiana Population: 6,498 339 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 74 Property Crime / 100k: 265 chance of being a victim: 1 in 295
Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Columbiana is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Ohio, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 339 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 93% lower than the state average.
North Ridgeville Population: 33,961 344 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 56 Property Crime / 100k: 288 chance of being a victim: 1 in 291
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Ohio, is North Ridgeville. With a low rate of crime that included 13 burglaries, 258 thefts, 16 vehicle thefts, 35 assaults, 5 robberies, 16 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 62% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Ohio

Rank Location Population Violent Crimes /100k Property Crimes /100k Total Crimes /100k 
1 Kirtland 6,801 29 15 44
2 Broadview Heights 19,195 15 82 97
3 St. Clairsville 5,080 20 140 160
4 New Philadelphia 17,485 69 150 219
5 Brook Park 18,486 50 238 288
6 Parma Heights 19,916 39 276 316
7 Grafton 6,017 0 330 330
8 Johnstown 5,149 56 282 338
9 Columbiana 6,498 74 265 339
10 North Ridgeville 33,961 56 288 344
11 North Royalton 30,179 29 326 355
12 Munroe Falls 5,069 40 321 361
13 Toronto 5,357 154 211 365
14 Highland Heights 8,375 35 340 375
15 Avon Lake 24,309 8 392 399
16 Bellbrook 7,277 14 405 419
17 Berea 18,713 60 369 429
18 Madeira 9,211 21 416 437
19 Orrville 8,281 71 368 440
20 Bay Village 15,258 32 411 442
21 Willowick 14,103 78 369 447
22 Mount Vernon 16,684 42 423 465
23 Cortland 6,818 0 468 468
24 Brecksville 13,521 44 437 481
25 Pepper Pike 6,319 29 453 483
26 Hudson 22,249 53 433 486
27 Bryan 8,243 105 385 490
28 Loveland 13,911 15 475 491
29 Brunswick 34,902 48 467 516
30 Rocky River 20,115 47 489 537
31 Dover 12,754 116 450 566
32 New Franklin 14,143 36 547 583
33 Mayfield Heights 18,586 101 485 586
34 Mason 33,592 28 580 608
35 Trenton 13,046 153 460 613
36 Huron 6,916 30 613 642
37 Springboro 18,416 36 623 659
38 Canfield 7,226 53 607 660
39 Union 6,777 43 637 680
40 University Heights 12,908 145 549 694
41 Powell 13,353 21 678 698
42 Galion 10,003 137 566 703
43 Perrysburg 21,566 40 666 706
44 Mentor-on-the-Lake 7,391 113 594 707
45 Twinsburg 18,754 56 667 723
46 Aurora 16,165 40 685 725
47 Conneaut 12,524 104 643 747
48 North Olmsted 31,562 44 707 752
49 Montgomery 10,818 28 727 754
50 Wapakoneta 9,662 31 733 764

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Ohio is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Ohio cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.