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C+

Is Defiance, Ohio Safe?

Population 17,009 · Safer than 40% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Defiance is a smaller community of 17,009 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 202.6 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,392 per 100K.

Defiance Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDefianceOhio AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate223.7312.4363.8
Property Crime Rate1802.12033.51,832.3
Murder Rate2.0--5.7
Assault Rate160.0--268.2
Theft Rate1392.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate208.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

202.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

224/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1802/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Defiance

Violent crime in Defiance is below the national average. The rate of 223.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1802.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,392 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Defiance Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder2
035% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault160
060% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery41
065% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary239
089% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,392
099% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft208
065% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Defiance Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Defiance
223.7
State
312.4
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Defiance
1802.1
State
2033.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Defiance Safety

Is Defiance safe?
It depends on where in Defiance 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 Defiance?
202.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 223.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1802.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Defiance safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Defiance 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 Defiance?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Defiance generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Defiance police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Defiance?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Defiance's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Defiance compare to other cities in Ohio?
Middle of the pack for Ohio. Defiance isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 42th percentile among Ohio cities.
How safe is Defiance 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 Defiance?
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 40th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Defiance?
223.7 per 100,000, which is 39% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (160), robbery (41), and murder (2.0) per 100,000.

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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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