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C

Is Reading, Ohio Safe?

Population 10,491 · Safer than 31% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Reading is a smaller community of 10,491 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 224.3 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,217 per 100K.

Reading Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricReadingOhio AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate401.6312.4363.8
Property Crime Rate1841.72033.51,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate255.0--268.2
Theft Rate1217.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate415.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

224.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

402/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1842/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Reading

Violent crime in Reading is close to the national average. The rate of 401.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1841.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,217 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Reading Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault255
095% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery65
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary328
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,217
087% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft415
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Reading Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Reading
401.6
State
312.4
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Reading
1841.7
State
2033.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Reading Safety

Is Reading safe?
Not especially. Reading earns a C with a crime rate of 224.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Reading?
224.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 401.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1841.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Reading safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Reading's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,217 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Reading?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Reading generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Reading police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Reading?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Reading's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Reading compare to other cities in Ohio?
Below average for the state. Reading ranks behind about 69% of Ohio cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Reading to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Reading?
Bad. A C grade and 224.3 per-thousand rate put Reading below 69% of US cities. Violent crime at 402 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Reading?
401.6 per 100,000, which is 10% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (255), robbery (65), and murder (8.0) 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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