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D-

Is Dayton, Ohio Safe?

Population 136,688 · Safer than 13% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate above the national average, Dayton faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 87% of US cities. Theft is the most common offense at 2,107 per 100K, which is well above the national average.

Dayton Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDaytonOhio AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate449.4312.4363.8
Property Crime Rate2384.32033.51,832.3
Murder Rate9.0--5.7
Assault Rate324.0--268.2
Theft Rate2107.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate249.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

283.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

449/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2384/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Dayton

Violent crime in Dayton is above the national average. The rate of 449.4 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2384.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 2,107 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 324 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Dayton Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder9
01.6x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault324
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery71
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary342
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft2,107
01.5x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft249
078% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Dayton Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Dayton
449.4
State
312.4
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Dayton
2384.3
State
2033.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Dayton Safety

Is Dayton safe?
Not especially. Dayton earns a D- with a crime rate of 283.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Dayton?
283.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 449.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2384.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Dayton safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Dayton's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (2,107 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
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 D- grade overall.
How does Dayton compare to other cities in Ohio?
Below average for the state. Dayton ranks behind about 82% of Ohio cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Dayton to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Dayton?
Bad. A D- grade and 283.4 per-thousand rate put Dayton below 87% of US cities. Violent crime at 449 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Dayton?
449.4 per 100,000, which is 24% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (324), robbery (71), and murder (9.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Ohio

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View all Ohio 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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