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C+

Is Dayton, Minnesota Safe?

Population 11,402 · Safer than 44% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 11,402, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Dayton earns a C+ with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,154 per 100K.

Dayton Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDaytonMinnesota AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate247.8323.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1688.72036.71,832.3
Murder Rate2.0--5.7
Assault Rate203.0--268.2
Theft Rate1154.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate423.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC+

193.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

248/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1689/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Dayton

Violent crime in Dayton is below the national average. The rate of 247.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1688.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,154 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Dayton Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder2
035% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault203
076% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery53
084% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary238
088% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,154
082% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft423
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Dayton Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Dayton
247.8
State
323.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Dayton
1688.7
State
2036.7
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dayton Safety

Is Dayton safe?
It depends on where in Dayton you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Dayton?
193.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 247.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1688.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Dayton safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Dayton has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Dayton?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Dayton generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Dayton police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Dayton?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Dayton's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Dayton compare to other cities in Minnesota?
Below average for the state. Dayton ranks behind about 65% of Minnesota cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 0.9x the national rate.
How safe is Dayton to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Dayton?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 44th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Dayton?
247.8 per 100,000, which is 32% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (203), robbery (53), and murder (2.0) per 100,000.

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View all Minnesota city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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