Defiance, OH Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Defiance, OH

What is Defiance's overall crime grade?

Defiance, Ohio earns an overall crime grade of B for 2026, meaning the city performs better than a significant portion of U.S. cities of comparable size. With a population of roughly 16,741 and a population density of about 510 residents per square mile, Defiance is a relatively low-density small city where crime tends to be more concentrated in specific corridors rather than spread evenly across all neighborhoods. A B grade reflects a community where most residents can go about daily life without frequent exposure to serious crime, though staying informed through the local crime map remains a smart habit.

What types of crime are most common in Defiance?

Property crime categories — including theft, burglary, and vehicle break-ins — represent the most frequently reported incident types in Defiance, which mirrors national patterns for small Midwestern cities. Vandalism and public-disorder incidents also appear on the crime map with some regularity, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic. Violent crime, such as assault, is monitored closely by the Defiance Police Department and occurs at rates consistent with cities of similar socioeconomic profiles. Defiance's 16% poverty rate and 5.8% unemployment rate are relevant context: research consistently links economic stress to elevated property-crime risk, which is why neighborhoods near commercial corridors tend to show higher incident clusters on the map.

Is Defiance safe compared to other Ohio cities?

With an overall grade of B, Defiance compares favorably against many Ohio cities of similar population. Its median household income of $50,625 and median home value of $117,142 place it in a moderate economic tier, and cities in this tier typically see lower violent-crime rates than higher-density urban centers. Defiance's population density of 510 people per square mile is well below Ohio's larger metros, which generally correlates with fewer opportunity-driven crimes. Residents in areas near Defiance College and Riverside Park consistently report a strong sense of personal safety, while the crime map shows that incident clusters are more concentrated in a handful of specific zones rather than distributed city-wide.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Defiance?

Based on crime-map incident density, areas near Defiance College and the historic districts along Clinton Street tend to record lower reported-incident rates relative to the rest of the city. The Highland Acres area and neighborhoods adjacent to Riverside Park also show fewer incident pins on the map, benefiting from active community engagement and consistent patrol presence. Conversely, higher-traffic commercial zones show a greater share of property-crime reports — a pattern typical for retail-adjacent areas regardless of city size. If you are evaluating where to rent or buy, Defiance's median rent of just $740 per month makes the lower-incident neighborhoods particularly accessible from a cost perspective.

What is the crime rate in Defiance, and how is it measured?

Rather than relying on a single raw number, safety analysts evaluate Defiance across multiple dimensions — property crime frequency, violent-crime incidence, and trends over time — then convert those into letter grades and percentile comparisons. Defiance's composite score translates to a B grade, placing it in roughly the top 35–40% of U.S. cities for overall safety. The city's 16% poverty rate is the most significant risk factor flagged in the data, as poverty correlates with both property crime and under-reporting. The 5.8% unemployment rate, while above the national average, is not extreme for a small manufacturing-influenced Ohio city, and local economic development initiatives aim to bring that figure down — an improvement that historically correlates with declining property-crime rates.

Is Defiance a good place to live from a safety standpoint?

For most households, Defiance represents a solid balance of affordability and safety. A B crime grade, a median home value of $117,142, and a median rent of $740 combine to make Defiance one of the more cost-effective safe communities in northwest Ohio. Families, retirees, and college students affiliated with Defiance College generally report feeling comfortable in day-to-day life. The city's relatively low population density of 510 people per square mile means that even neighborhoods with modest crime activity rarely feel overwhelmed by incidents. Standard precautions — locking vehicles, securing home entry points, and checking the crime map periodically — are sufficient for most residents to maintain a high quality of life in Defiance.