Most Dangerous Cities in Ohio 2025": Is Your City on the List?

People often ask themselves if their hometown belongs to the list of dangerous cities within Ohio. The Ohio State combines a rural atmosphere with metropolitan toughness. Some places feel safe and calm, while others struggle with higher crime. In this 2025 update, we’ll run through the 10 most dangerous cities in Ohio, explain how we rank them, highlight the most common crimes, and share safety tips for anyone living in—or visiting—the state. Let’s dive in.

Is Ohio Dangerous?

The safety measures implemented by Ohio rest at a typical level compared to other states. The state records 2.9 violent crimes for every 1,000 residents, yet the United States national average stands at 4.8 per 1,000. The rates of crime show significant differences between different urban areas.

Large urban centers like Cleveland and Cincinnati face more incidents than many suburbs. That means while Ohio may feel safe overall, certain cities earn a spot on the list of dangerous cities in Ohio due to higher crime rates. People who live in or travel to Ohio should understand crime cluster areas as well as their safe neighborhoods.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Ohio

The 110 most dangerous cities in Ohio in 2025 can be found through the FBI National Incident‑Based Reporting System data, which tracks crime incidents per 1,000 people. The given cities maintain crime rates that place them among the most dangerous cities in Ohio.

1. Cleveland

The highest crime rate of 63.94 incidents per 1,000 residents exists in Cleveland. Property crime rates are high throughout Cleveland, while the city faces elevated levels of violent assaults and robberies, specifically in downtown and east‑side areas.

2. Canton

The crime rate in Canton stands at 56.65 per 1,000 residents. The combination of economic difficulties and poor neighborhoods leads to high burglary and theft numbers in this area. Although Canton’s police department started community patrols, the crime rates stay higher than the state average.

3. Toledo

Toledo has 56.42 crimes per 1,000 people. Toledo experiences violent aggravated assaults, together with property crimes, which include car thefts throughout the city. The neighborhoods adjacent to the riverfront experience the most crime reports among all areas.

4. Mansfield

Mansfield’s crime rate stands at 48.01 per 1,000 residents. The city faces challenges with drug‑related offenses and vehicle theft. Local leaders are working to boost street lighting and increase foot patrols to curb crime.

5. Lima

Lima records 47.86 incidents per 1,000 people. It contends with a steady stream of property offenses—like larceny and burglary—and a rising trend in youth violence. Community groups partner with police to offer after‑school programs to keep teens engaged.

6. Moraine

Moraine posts a crime rate of 41.27 per 1,000. This Dayton suburb suffers from occasional spikes in theft and assault. The city’s efforts to install more security cameras have begun to show modest drops in nighttime break‑ins.

7. Warren

Warren sees 38.25 crimes per 1,000 residents. It struggles mostly with property crimes, especially auto break‑ins. A recent task force on drug enforcement also noticed an uptick in arrests for the sale of illegal substances.

8. Napoleon

Napoleon’s crime rate sits at 35.98 per 1,000. The city faces lower overall incidents than larger metros, but still ranks high in Ohio thanks to its small population base. Napoleon police focus on community outreach to build trust and reduce low‑level crime.

9. Akron

Akron experiences 32.90 incidents per 1,000 people. The university district experiences the highest frequency of violent offenses, including assault alongside robbery. Through its community policing initiative, the police department seeks to strengthen officer connections with citizens in the area.

10. Springfield

Springfield records 32.56 crimes per 1,000 residents, making it one of the most dangerous cities in Ohio. Springfield Ohio most dangerous city, sees a mix of violent and property crimes, including a notable rate of car thefts. Local nonprofits are funding youth outreach to tackle the root causes of crime.

How We Rank the Most Dangerous City in Ohio?

We base our rankings on several key factors that reflect community safety and crime pressure. The following are the most common factors that we take into account to rank the most dangerous cities in Ohio. Take a look at these factors before you consider to move into Ohio.

• Violent crime rate per 1,000 residents. We look at offenses like assault, robbery, and homicide.
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents. This covers burglary, larceny‑theft, and motor vehicle theft.
• FBI NIBRS data. We use the National Incident‑Based Reporting System, which captures each crime incident in detail.
• Societal cost and impact. Some studies, like MoneyGeek’s, weigh the cost to victims and communities alongside raw crime rates.
• Population size and density. Smaller cities can show high per‑capita rates with fewer total incidents.
• Local law enforcement metrics. We review clearance rates and patrol coverage to gauge police effectiveness.

Most Common Types of Crime in Ohio’s Most Dangerous Cities

Below are the crimes you’re most likely to encounter in Ohio’s high‑crime areas. This list draws on FBI definitions from the NIBRS database about the Ohio crime rate. Let’s take a look at Ohio crime rate by city:

• Burglary (breaking or entering a structure to commit theft)
• Larceny‑theft (stealing property without force)
• Motor vehicle theft (unauthorized taking of a vehicle)
• Aggravated assault (assault with a weapon or serious injury)
• Robbery (theft through force or threat)
• Homicide (intentional killing of another person)
• Sexual assault (non‑consensual sexual acts)

Safety Tips for Residents and Tourists in Ohio

Staying safe starts with smart choices. Here are some simple tips if you live in—or visit—worst city in Ohio or elsewhere:

• Always stay aware of your surroundings. Keep your head up and avoid staring at your phone while you walk.
• Travel in groups after dark. There’s safety in numbers, especially in areas with higher crime.
• Stick to well‑lit, busy streets. Avoid shortcuts through alleys or empty parking lots at night.
• Lock your car and roll up the windows, even if you only step away for a moment.
• Secure your home with good locks and, if possible, install motion‑sensor lights outside.
• Report suspicious activity to local police right away. Quick action can prevent bigger problems.

If you live in a higher-crime area in Ohio, it’s a good idea to install a security camera on your property for everyday monitoring.

FAQs

Which city in Ohio has the highest crime rate?

The crime rate in Cleveland stands as the highest among all cities in Ohio at 63.94 incidents per 1,000 residents.

What are the most dangerous cities in Ohio?

The state of Ohio has ten cities that stand out as its most dangerous locations, including Cleveland, Canton, Toledo, Mansfield, Lima, Moraine, Warren, Napoleon, Akron, and Springfield.

What is the most dangerous city in Ohio?

The crime statistics in Cleveland reach the highest level in Ohio at 63.94 incidents per 1,000 residents.

Conclusion

Ohio may feel safe in many neighborhoods, but crime can spike quickly in some cities. This 2025 update highlights the 10 most dangerous cities in Ohio and shows why each ranks high in violent and property crimes. We explained how we rank these cities, listed the most common offenses, and offered safety tips to keep you and your loved ones secure.

Does the presented list surprise you? Do you reside in any of these specified locations? Leave your thoughts and experiences about this list in the comment section. Your personal knowledge helps inform people who want to stay protected.