Top 12 Safest Cities in Ohio Based on Crime Statistics

Ohio is home to several safe cities, including Kirtland and Broadview Heights, where residents enjoy a low crime rate. While the state’s overall violent crime rate hovers around 287 incidents per 100k people, Kirtland stands out with only 29 per 100k residents.

Broadview Heights and Olmsted Falls also maintain property crime rates well below national levels. These cities consistently rank among the best places to live for families, seniors, and professionals without sacrificing amenities. 

To help you pick the best place to live in, we’ll highlight the safest cities in Ohio based on crime data from AreaVibes and NeighborhoodScout. Moreover, this guide will also share key safety tips to help you stay protected wherever you live.

How We Ranked the Safest Cities in Ohio?

We have used the databases of NeighborhoodScout and AreaVibes to find the safest cities in Ohio. NeighborhoodScout is preferred for its quantitative insights, like detailed statistics, and AreaVibes is utilized for its verified per-capita crime rates. 

Is Ohio a Safe Place to Live?

Ohio is a relatively safer place to live in than the average US city. NeighborhoodScout’s city-level analyses show wide variation, as several large Ohio cities (Cleveland, Cincinnati) report substantially higher crime risks. For example, NeighborhoodScout gives Cleveland a violent-crime victim chance of about 1-in-59 and a property crime chance of 1-in-21.

At the same time, AreaVibes highlights many small Ohio towns, including Kirtland, with very low crime rates. Overall, there were 33,770 total crimes reported all around Ohio, with a 1-in-349 chance of being a victim of violent crime in Ohio.

Quick Crime Statistics of Ohio’s Safest Cities

We have analyzed the crime data available for the Ohio cities on Areavibes and NeighborhoodScout to pick the 12 safest cities. Explore this table to learn about the safety status of these cities: 

What Are the Top 12 Safest Cities in Ohio? Detailed Statistics 

Let’s explore the crime insights from AreaVibes and NeighborhoodScout to understand why these 12 cities rank among Ohio’s safest places to live.

1. Kirtland

Kirtland regularly appears at the top of the safest cities in Ohio list, with the crime rate around 98% below the national average. You have only a 1-in-3442 overall chance of being a victim of violent crime. These very low counts give Kirtland an A+ crime rating and a perception of extremely low risk. 

Moreover, this city shows very low violent and property victim odds (violent: 1 in 3448 and property: 1 in 6896), reinforcing its position. Reasons for safety include its small population, active neighborhood watch, and strong local policing.

2. Broadview Heights

Broadview Heights has an A+ crime rating, having 96% lower crime incidents than the county’s average. Year over year crime in this one of the Ohio safest cities has decreased by 37%. It presents similarly low chances of victimization, with violent crime odds reported around 1 in 6545. 

Its safety status is maintained due to a well-funded police force and strong community policing. Moreover, families here come for its well-rated schools and fun parks. 

3. St. Clairsville

Platforms gives St Clairsville an A+ crime rating, as you only have a 1-in-4986 chance of being a victim of violent crime here. Moreover, violent crimes, including gun violence, are 94% lower than the country’s average in this city.

For families, the city’s quieter neighborhoods and proximity to regional services are the major plus points. Its safety is also highlighted by a low number of sex offenders (156 per 100k residents) compared to the national average. 

4. New Philadelphia

New Philadelphia’s safety profile shows only a 1-in-1444 chance of being a victim of violent crime. On the other hand, you also have around a 1-in-667 chance of being a victim of property crime, earning this the safest city in Ohio an A+ rating.

Families point to good local schools, accessible parks, and a relatively affordable housing market as reasons this city remains attractive.

5. Brook Park

Being safer than 87% of the USA cities, Brook Park regularly appears on the safest cities list. Residents have just a 1-in-2007 chance of experiencing violent crime and a 1-in-420 chance of falling victim to property crime. 

With a total crime index of 83, this place is safer than many comparable Ohio cities. For families, different platforms highlight nearby parks combined with short commute links to Cleveland metro jobs. 

6. Parma Heights

With an A+ crime rating, Parma Heights has 89% and 86% of violent and property crime incidents, respectively. Its year-over-year data shows a 29% drop in property crime in Parma Heights, leading to an overall 24% decrease in total crime. 

Similarly, there are low victim odds (violent 1 in 2554 and property 1 in 365). Cleveland suburbs in its proximity give residents access to amenities without high urban crime exposure. 

7. Grafton

Grafton has literally 0 violent crime incidents reported, earning this safest place to live in Ohio an A+ crime tag. Moreover, residents only suffer from a 1-in-304 chance of being a property crime victim, which further explains its safety profile. 

Moreover, it has a very low crime density, averaging just 4 crimes per square mile. Reasons cited for Grafton’s safety include strong community ties with volunteer programs and neighborhood watch efforts. 

8. Johnstown

While living here, you only have a 1-in-1775 chance of being a victim of violent crime. For property crime, these chances are 1-in-355, which earns this safe city in Ohio an A- crime rating. Moreover, it emphasizes recent year-over-year declines in both violent (71%) and property (−76%) crime rates. 

In addition, its violent victim odds are around 1 in 1770 and property odds of 1 in 354, suggesting genuine downward trends. For families, Johnstown gets credit for cheap housing, neighborhood parks, and generally affordable schools.

9. Columbiana

Columbiana enjoys crime rates over 85% lower than the national average, earning this safest city in Ohio an A+ crime rating. Reports further explain that this city only experiences about 0.93 total crimes per day for every 100k residents. 

It has a 1-in-1351 odds for violent crime and 1-in-375 for property crime, confirming its strong safety record. Overall, the safety of this city is due to strong civic engagement and a historic downtown that encourages daytime foot traffic. 

10. North Ridgeville

North Ridgeville earns an A+ crime rating, having just 344 total crimes reported per 100k residents. While living in this safest suburb in Ohio, you only have a 1-in-291 chance of being a crime victim. 

It ranks higher on safety lists, with 1-in-1765 odds for violent crime and 1-in-343 for property crime. Some of its safety drivers include suburban development patterns, active parks, and visible police presence.

11. North Royalton

In North Royalton, there were only 109 total crimes reported last year, earning this Ohio city an A+ rating. Moreover, violent crime in North Royalton has dropped by 26%, and property crime has seen an even greater 38% decline compared to the previous year.

Families living in this city point to highly rated middle schools and neighborhood parks. Its safety ranking is also justified by itsviolent crime odds of 1-in-3410 and property crime odds of 1-in-307.

12. Munroe Falls

Munroe Falls shows 361 total crimes per 100k, which is 84% lower than the Ohio average. More importantly, Munroe Falls has experienced a 71% drop in violent crime, while the property crime rate has remained steady over the past year.

Moreover, Ohio has only 156 sex offenders per 100k residents, 41% below the national average. Being one of the best places to live in Ohio for families, this city is known for its parks and accessible schools. 

What are the Dangerous Cities to Avoid in Ohio?

While several of the safest cities in Ohio offer low crime rates, some areas still face safety challenges. Let’s explore the most dangerous cities to avoid for families.

1. Cleveland

Cleveland tops the list for Ohio’s most dangerous cities, with an alarmingly high violent crime rate of1703 per 100k residents. The most common violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape, and homicide. 

2. Springfield

Springfield has to face over 1253 violent crimes per 100k residents, which equals roughly 3.43 violent crimes per day. Springfield includes assault and robbery counts, lifting its per-capita numbers well above state norms. 

3. Toledo

This city has 3.14 violent crimes per day and a 1-in-87 chance of being a violent crime victim. The breakdown shows high counts of assault and numbers of rape and homicide relative to the population. 

4. Dayton

Dayton’s crime statistics show around 1105 violent crimesper 100k residents, with over 5813 total crimes. Assaults dominate the violent-crime category, with robbery and other offenses also contributing. 

5. Canton

Canton records over 1005 violent crimes and about 5259 total crimes per 100k people. The citywide totals indicate a persistent public-safety concern across portions of Canton. 

How to Protect Yourself While Living in the Most Dangerous Ohio Cities?

Even if you live outside the Ohio safest cities, you can still stay secure by practicing smart safety habits. Here are some practical ways to protect yourself while living in the most dangerous cities in Ohio: 

Tip 1. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

You have to avoid distractions when walking, especially at night. While living in dangerous areas, watch out for suspicious behavior and trust your instincts if something feels unsafe. Awareness is the first step toward preventing unexpected threats.

Tip 2. Learn About Local Crime Patterns 

Every Ohio city has different danger zones. For example, Cleveland and certain Dayton neighborhoods report violent crime rates 5 times higher than their suburbs. Study your city’s crime maps from the Ohio Department of Public Safety to learn which blocks see frequent robberies or assaults. 

Tip 3. Install Security Cameras in Homes

With well-positioned security cameras, you will get real deterrence and peace of mind. eufy security cameras are a great pick because they combine ease of use and privacy features. For example, many eufy cams offer 4K resolution and night vision, so you can clearly see faces or license plates even in low light.

Tip 4. Trust Public Transportation Wisely

In some Ohio cities, public transit crime rates are low during the day but spike after dark. For instance, Columbus police data show public transport thefts rise by 40% between 9 PM and midnight. To avoid any mishap, sit near the driver or other passengers and keep your belongings secured when traveling late.

Tip 5. Secure Homes with an Advanced Security System

Think about installing a fully monitored solution, such as eufy’s ExpertSecure kit for stronger protection. It pairs smart local monitoring powered by AI with access to professional support whenever needed. Using a central HomeBase along with cameras, motion sensors, and entry sensors, it keeps your home covered from every angle.

When something triggers the alarm, the AI quickly checks the camera footage to confirm the threat before contacting the monitoring team. You also get helpful features like built-in fire safety alerts and secure local video storage for added privacy.

Conclusion

All in all, Ohio has some of the safest cities in the United States, including Kirtland, Broadview Heights, and Munroe Falls. Aside from these safest cities in Ohio, cities like Cleveland and Springfield still struggle with higher crime rates. 

However, the good news is that awareness and community engagement can make a big difference. In this regard, tools like eufy Security Cameras and the Local Security System can further strengthen home protection. 

Ultimately, safety in Ohio isn’t just about where you live, but how you live. So, buy the advanced eufy security products to keep your home safe. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What city has the lowest violent crime in Ohio?

According to statistics, Kirtland has one of the lowest violent crime rates in Ohio, around 98% lower than the national average. This safest city in Ohio has only a 1-in-3442 chance of violent crime victimization. 

Where in Ohio is it safe to live?

Cities like Broadview Heights and Munroe Falls rank high for overall livability and low violent crime. Each scores an A+ crime rating and offers quiet neighborhoods with good healthcare access.

How to find the safest places to live in Ohio?

To find the safest place to live in Ohio, explore databases like NeighborhoodScout and AreaVibes to compare crime rates. Afterward, you should cross-check with state and FBI reports. While doing so, focus on places with low crime odds, active community policing, and strong schools.