C+
19%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
32%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
29%
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 peopleReading/100k peopleOhio/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime310n/a (estimate)2,7742,0762,324
Murder0n/a0.06.16.3
Rape5n/a44.748.440.0
Robbery2n/a17.953.166.1
Assault21n/a187.9185.9268.2
Violent crime28n/a (estimate)251294370
Burglary32n/a286.3255.3269.8
Theft229n/a2,048.91,292.91,401.9
Vehicle theft21n/a187.9234.5282.7
Property crime282n/a (estimate)2,5231,7831,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Reading, OH

The Reading crime rates are 19.3% 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 28 violent crimes in Reading (251 per 100,000 people), which is 32.3% lower than the national average and there were a total of 282 property crimes (2523 per 100,000 residents) which is 29.1% higher than average.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Reading reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Reading?

AreaVibes surveyed 15 local residents in Reading to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 33% of people answered that there was very little crime in Reading and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 67% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Reading a Safe Place to Live?

Is Reading a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Reading has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 19%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.85 daily incidents, encompassing 0.08 violent crimes and 0.77 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Reading as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Reading Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Reading crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Reading has increased by 15.7% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 12.5% and property crime has increased by 19.5%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Reading

In Reading, 84.5% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

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 Reading, the cost of living is 8.76% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Reading, the average monthly rent stands at $743, while the national average is $949 per month.

Reading crime map



The Reading crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Reading 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 Reading crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Reading 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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Compare Reading, OH Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Reading crime rates are 19% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Reading are 32% lower than the national average
      • In Reading you have a 1 in 37 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Reading is safer than 35% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Reading has increased by 13%

      Reading, OH Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Reading

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        Daily Crime In Reading (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Reading on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Ohio and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Reading (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Ohio, are 1.34 times more than the state average and 1.19 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Reading on a daily basis are 1.17 times less than than Ohio average and 1.48 times less than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Reading are 1.42 times more than the daily state average and 1.29 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Reading (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Reading in comparison to other Ohio communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Reading safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Reading being safer than 19% of cities in Ohio and 35% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Ohio cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Reading. In conclusion, Reading ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Reading

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Reading is 1 in 400
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Reading is 1 in 40
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Reading is 1 in 37
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Reading, Ohio? If you reside in Reading, then there is a 1 in 400 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 40. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 37 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Reading.

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

        Determining whether Reading is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Reading violent crime rates have decreased by 14%. At the same time, property crime has increased by 17% year over year. Total crimes for Reading has increased by 13% in the same time frame.

        Reading police department

        Item Reading Ohio National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)2417,044558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residentsn/a2.73.3

        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
        Taylor Mill, KY6,80544235279
        Mariemont, OH3,4450290290
        Dunlap, OH1,30741250292
        Wetherington, OH1,27141250292
        Coldstream, OH1,38341250292
        Terrace Park, OH2,25446280326
        Glendale, OH2,24046280326
        Reading, OH10,2872512,5232,774

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Jefferson, LA10,2865032,1992,702
        Bee Ridge, FL10,2831599601,118
        Gig Harbor, WA10,2802446,0656,308
        Pella, IA10,279140708848
        Bonham, TX10,2956033,2103,813
        Reading, OH10,2872512,5232,774
        Source: The Reading, 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.