Explore the Crime Rate in Ohio

Ohio is a state that has it all. It has everything from awesome sports teams to acclaimed theaters, and it's also one of the most affordable states in the nation.

But is Ohio's crime rate as low as its cost of living?

For the most part, Ohio is a safe place to live. Still, there are some crime statistics to be aware of, such as Ohio's unusually high vehicle theft rate. Let’s take a closer look at crime rates in Ohio.

How common is crime in Ohio?

In a single year, Ohio residents report around 257,000 crimes. Ohio's crime rate is 21.82 crimes per 1,000 residents, and about 25 crimes occur in every square mile of Ohio land.

Overall, Ohio’s rates for both violent and property crimes rank below the U.S. median. Compared to other states, Ohio's crime rates are about average. Ohio does stand out a little—in a good way—when it comes to violent crime, though. Despite having mostly average amounts of theft and burglary, the state has fewer-than-average violent crimes.

Common types of Ohio crime

If you're living in or visiting Ohio, you need to be aware of these three common types of crime.

Burglary, theft, and other property crimes

Property crime in Ohio is fairly common. Property crime includes any criminal act that harms a person's home, car, or other possessions. With a property crime rate of 18.46 per 1,000 residents, you have a 1 in 54 chance of experiencing a property crime in Ohio.

The most common type of property crime in Ohio is theft, and the second-most-common is burglary. Other property crimes like arson and vandalism also occur occasionally. Ohio's property crime rates are much higher than property crime rates in surrounding states.

Violent crime in Ohio

Each year, Ohio has around 39,000 violent crimes. The most common type of violent crime in Ohio is assault, but other violent crimes like robbery and murder also occur. Fortunately for Ohio residents, the state's violent crime rate is 3.36 per 1,000 residents, below the national median of 4 per 1,000. This rate is particularly low for the Midwest region. Ohio's violent crime rates are lower than those of nearby Michigan, Indiana, and West Virginia.

Ohio motor vehicle theft

Ohio has an unusually high rate of stolen vehicles. Out of 4,086,521 vehicles registered in the state, thieves stole 29,913 vehicles last year. Overall, Ohio's motor vehicle theft rate is the ninth highest in the nation.

Vivint Car Guard is here to help keep your Ohio car safe. Car Guard keeps tabs on your vehicle and lets you know (via the Vivint app) if it moves, whether it’s disturbed by a person or towed away. Car Guard also works with your Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro to record footage of your car and uses light and sound to warn off would-be thieves from tampering with your vehicle.

Crime rates for popular Ohio cities

Where you live in Ohio will have a huge impact on the types of crime you encounter. The most dangerous cities in the state are:

• Canton: Residents here have a 1 in 20 chance of being a victim of property crime.
• Moraine: Though small, this city has 66 property crimes per 1,000 residents.
• Cleveland: This city has the highest crime rate in Ohio and also ranks 11th statewide for property crimes.
• Springfield: Each day, at least two burglaries happen in Springfield. One in nine residents has experienced property crime.
• Portsmouth: This city has an especially high rate of burglaries, and its overall property crime rate is 46 per 1,000 residents.
• Dayton: Dayton has the third highest level of violent crime, and it also has unusually high motor vehicle theft rates.
• Whitehall: This Columbus suburb has 44 property crimes per 1,000 residents.
• Mount Healthy: With a property crime rate of 38 per 1,000 residents, people who live here have a 1 in 26 chance of experiencing theft and burglary.
• Cincinnati: This city has 36 property crimes and eight violent crimes per 1,000 residents. There is also a lot of car theft with thieves stealing 1,500 vehicles a year.
• Akron: Akron has the sixth highest amount of violent crimes in Ohio. It also has unusually high amounts of arson and car theft.

Can an Ohio home security system help you?

Even if you don't live in an area with high crime, a home security and automation system can help keep you and your family safe. Ohio residents who install a Vivint system get to enjoy these advantages:

• Personal convenience: In addition to keeping you safe, a Vivint home system makes your life easier. You can unlock your smart door lock remotely, set your HVAC system to follow a schedule, close your garage automatically, and more.
• Crime detection: Your Vivint security system can detect everything from broken windows to suspicious lurkers. We'll let you know when a crime is happening so you can take appropriate steps to protect your property and loved ones.
• Disaster avoidance: Our safety alarms alert you to problems like smoke, water, and carbon monoxide. When an alarm sounds, our team of monitoring professionals will reach out to see if you need help and dispatch emergency services if needed.
• Crime prevention: Many thieves are looking for an easy target, so having a prominent home security system can keep you off their radar. Not only do cameras make it easier to catch thieves, but alarms and security sensors make it harder for thieves to enter your property undetected.

Protect your home with Vivint

No matter where in Ohio you call home, protecting what matters most to you is always smart. A Vivint home security system can help keep your home and family safe. All of our products work together to give you a single, comprehensive way of managing your entire home. Plus, our trained security professionals make installation a breeze by taking care of all the hard work for you.

Ready to get started? Contact a Vivint security professional today at 855.822.1220.