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C+

Is Salem, Ohio Safe?

Population 11,655 · Safer than 46% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 11,655, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Salem earns a C+ with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,388 per 100K.

Salem Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSalemOhio AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate303.4312.4363.8
Property Crime Rate1593.62033.51,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate192.0--268.2
Theft Rate1388.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate351.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

189.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

303/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1594/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Salem

Violent crime in Salem is below the national average. The rate of 303.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1593.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,388 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Salem Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault192
072% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery34
054% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary206
076% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,388
099% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft351
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Salem Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Salem
303.4
State
312.4
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Salem
1593.6
State
2033.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Salem Safety

Is Salem safe?
It depends on where in Salem 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 Salem?
189.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 303.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1593.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Salem safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Salem 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 Salem?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Salem generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Salem police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Salem?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Salem's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Salem compare to other cities in Ohio?
Middle of the pack for Ohio. Salem isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 46th percentile among Ohio cities.
How safe is Salem 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 Salem?
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 46th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Salem?
303.4 per 100,000, which is 17% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (192), robbery (34), and murder (4.0) 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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