Urbana, OH Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Urbana, OH

What is Urbana's overall crime grade for 2026?

Urbana, Ohio earns an overall crime grade of B+ for 2026, which places it well above average for small Ohio cities of comparable size. With a population of approximately 11,428 and a population density of just 558 residents per square mile, Urbana benefits from the lower crime exposure typical of less densely populated communities. A B+ grade means that while the city is not entirely free of criminal activity, the vast majority of residents experience safe, stable neighborhoods on a day-to-day basis. This grade reflects the combined assessment of both violent and property crime categories relative to national and state benchmarks.

How does Urbana's poverty rate affect its crime profile?

Urbana carries a poverty rate of 18.1% and an unemployment rate of 7.3%, both of which are modestly elevated compared to Ohio state averages. Research consistently shows a correlation between economic stress and certain property crime categories. Despite these economic pressures, Urbana's B+ crime grade suggests that community programs, local law enforcement, and neighborhood cohesion are effectively mitigating the crime risk that these socioeconomic factors might otherwise produce. The median household income of $49,043 and median home value of $103,435 paint a picture of a working-class city where affordability and community ties help sustain safety.

What types of crime are most common in Urbana?

In Urbana, property crimes represent the most frequently reported category of criminal activity, consistent with national trends for small Midwestern cities. This includes incidents such as larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and burglary. Violent crimes — including assault and robbery — occur at notably lower rates and tend to be concentrated in specific pockets of the city rather than spread uniformly across neighborhoods. The city's low density of 558 people per square mile means that even when incidents do occur, they are less likely to affect large numbers of residents. Residents near higher-traffic commercial corridors should remain most attentive to property crime risks.

Is Urbana safe compared to other Ohio cities?

Yes — Urbana's B+ overall crime grade compares favorably against many Ohio cities of similar and larger size. Cities with comparable populations but higher poverty or unemployment rates frequently score in the C or D range. Urbana's combination of a tight-knit community, modest population density (558 per sq mi), and active local law enforcement contributes to its above-average safety standing. While no small city is immune to crime, Urbana's metrics suggest residents face meaningfully lower risk than the national average for cities in its population bracket of 10,000–15,000.

What are the safest areas in Urbana, Ohio?

While Urbana's crime data does not assign individual letter grades to every micro-neighborhood, incident mapping consistently shows that residential areas away from the highest-density commercial zones report fewer incidents per capita. Neighborhoods near Urbana University and established residential streets on the city's north and west sides tend to benefit from stronger neighborhood watch participation and lower reported property crime rates. Downtown Urbana has seen community revitalization efforts that have helped stabilize its safety profile. Using the interactive crime map on this page, you can filter by incident type and time period to identify the specific blocks with the fewest reported events.

How does Urbana's crime rate compare to national averages?

Urbana's B+ crime grade indicates that its crime rate falls below the national average across most key categories. Nationally, small cities with unemployment rates above 7% and poverty rates above 15% often struggle to maintain safety grades above a C+. Urbana outperforms that expectation. The city's median rent of just $693 and median home value of $103,435 reflect an affordable housing market that reduces displacement stress — a factor linked to lower rates of opportunistic property crime. Taken together, these data points suggest Urbana is a statistically safer-than-average choice among small Ohio communities.

Is Urbana a good place to live based on safety and cost of living?

From a data-driven perspective, Urbana offers a compelling value proposition. The city's B+ crime grade pairs with a median home value of $103,435 and median rent of $693 — both well below Ohio state medians — creating an affordability-to-safety ratio that is difficult to match in larger metro areas. The median household income of $49,043 means that housing costs consume a smaller share of residents' budgets, reducing financial stress that can indirectly contribute to crime. While the 18.1% poverty rate and 7.3% unemployment rate are areas for ongoing community focus, they have not prevented Urbana from achieving an above-average overall safety standing. For families, retirees, and remote workers seeking low cost of living without sacrificing safety, Urbana's numbers make a strong case.