Akron, OH Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Akron, OH Crime (2026)

Is Akron, OH safe in 2026?

Akron earns an overall crime grade of C- in 2026, which places it in the moderate-to-elevated risk category compared to other Ohio cities. That said, the picture across Akron's 23 analyzed neighborhoods is more nuanced: 65% of neighborhoods carry a combined A or B safety grade, meaning the majority of the city's residential areas are considered reasonably safe. Only 9% of neighborhoods fall into the higher-crime D or F range — and notably, no neighborhood received an F grade. Areas like Merriman Hills (A+), Fairlawn Heights (A), and Ellet (A) demonstrate that safe, stable communities do exist within Akron's borders. However, pockets like Sherbondy Hill (D) and Downtown Akron (D+) pull the city-wide average down, and residents in or near those zones should exercise heightened awareness.

What is the crime rate in Akron, OH?

Akron's city-wide safety rating is Moderate (C), with an overall crime grade of C- when factoring in all 23 neighborhoods analyzed for 2026. Breaking that down by grade distribution: 30.4% of neighborhoods earned an A, 34.8% earned a B, 26.1% earned a C, and 8.7% earned a D. No neighborhoods received an F. The higher-crime areas — Sherbondy Hill (D), Downtown Akron (D+), Summit Lake (C-), and West Hill (C-) — represent a minority of the city's geography but contribute meaningfully to the overall grade. Socioeconomic context matters here: Akron's 23% poverty rate and 8.8% unemployment rate are among the factors that correlate with elevated crime in certain districts, while higher-income neighborhoods like Merriman Hills (median income: $121,070) and Fairlawn Heights (median income: $92,526) consistently post A-level safety grades.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Akron in 2026?

Of the 23 neighborhoods analyzed, the following rank as the safest in Akron for 2026:

• Merriman Hills — A+: The top-rated neighborhood, with a median household income of $121,070 and a population of about 2,831. It is the only neighborhood to earn an A+ grade.
• Coventry Crossing — A: A smaller community (pop. 1,628) with a median income of $68,938 and a consistent A-level safety record.
• Fairlawn Heights — A: Home to roughly 2,218 residents with a median income of $92,526, making it one of Akron's most affluent and safest areas.
• Ellet — A: One of the largest safe neighborhoods, with over 20,700 residents and a median income of $60,381 — demonstrating that safety at scale is achievable in Akron.
• Firestone Park — A: Nearly 9,900 residents and a median income of $64,629, earning a full A grade.
• Kenmore — A- and Northwest Akron — A-: Both earn A- grades, with Northwest Akron posting a notably strong median income of $73,124 across its 10,219 residents.

Rounding out the top ten, Goodyear Heights (B+), Wallhaven (B+), and Highland Square (B) also offer solid safety profiles. Combined, the A and B neighborhoods account for 65% of all analyzed areas in Akron.

Which neighborhoods in Akron have the highest crime?

Two neighborhoods in Akron received D-range grades in 2026 — the lowest recorded, since no neighborhood earned an F. Sherbondy Hill carries a D grade, the lowest in the city, while Downtown Akron received a D+. These two areas account for the 8.7% of neighborhoods in the higher-crime tier. A step above, Summit Lake and West Hill both earned C- grades, and Cascade Valley received a C. Residents and visitors in these neighborhoods are encouraged to use Akron's crime map actively, vary routines, and stay connected with local community safety initiatives. It's worth noting that even within these areas, crime is not uniform block-to-block — the map-level detail is essential for a granular view.

Is Akron a good place to live in 2026?

Akron presents a mixed but workable picture for prospective residents. On the affordability side, the median home value is just $82,936 and median rent is $795/month — well below national averages — making it one of the more accessible mid-sized cities in the Midwest. The median household income of $40,281 reflects economic pressure in some parts of the city, and the 23% poverty rate and 8.8% unemployment rate are real challenges that shape neighborhood conditions. However, 65% of Akron's neighborhoods carry A or B safety grades, and several — including Merriman Hills, Ellet (pop. 20,766), and Firestone Park (pop. 9,838) — offer large, established communities with strong safety records. For families and individuals willing to research neighborhood-level data, Akron offers genuine value. The city's population of 570,375 supports a full range of amenities, and the concentration of safer neighborhoods in the northwest, east, and south sides gives buyers and renters real options.

How does Akron's crime compare across its neighborhoods?

The spread of crime grades across Akron's 23 neighborhoods tells a story of significant internal variation. The top 30.4% of neighborhoods hold A grades, led by Merriman Hills at A+ and four neighborhoods at a straight A. Another 34.8% hold B grades, including Goodyear Heights and Wallhaven at B+. That means nearly two-thirds of the city leans toward the safer end of the spectrum. The middle tier — 26.1% with C grades — includes neighborhoods like Cascade Valley, Summit Lake, and West Hill, where crime is elevated but not at the highest levels. Only 8.7% of neighborhoods, specifically Sherbondy Hill and Downtown Akron, fall into D territory. This distribution suggests that Akron's crime challenges are geographically concentrated rather than city-wide, and that choosing the right neighborhood makes a substantial difference in day-to-day safety.