Wadsworth, OH

City Crime Score

Very low crime

A+

Population

30,655

Median Income

$87,374

Home Value

$291,950

Median Age

42.0

Crime Statistics

Assault
90
Robbery
82
Burglary
102
Larceny/Theft
102
Vehicle Theft
106

Demographics

White: 95.5%
Black: 1.0%
Hispanic: 1.3%
Asian: 1.2%

37.4% have a bachelor's degree or higher

Housing

Owners: 75.7%
Renters: 24.3%
Crime Level
Low High
Wadsworth Neighborhoods & Data

Wadsworth, OH Crime Map

Explore crime rates, safest neighborhoods, and detailed crime statistics

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About Wadsworth

Wadsworth, OH

City Crime Score

Very low crime

A+

Population

30,655

Median Income

$87,374

Median Home Value

$291,950

Median Age

42.0

Crime Statistics

Assault
90
Robbery
82
Burglary
102
Larceny/Theft
102
Vehicle Theft
106

Demographics

White: 95.5%
Black: 1.0%
Hispanic: 1.3%
Asian: 1.2%

37.4% have a bachelor's degree or higher

Housing

Owners: 75.7%
Renters: 24.3%

Wadsworth, OH Safety Overview: An A-Grade Community

Wadsworth earns an overall crime grade of A — a distinction that reflects genuine, measurable safety across this Medina County city of roughly 23,789 residents. With a median household income of $66,920, a poverty rate of just 7%, and an unemployment rate of 4.2%, the socioeconomic foundation here is solid. Research consistently links lower poverty and stable employment to reduced crime, and Wadsworth's numbers bear that out.

At a population density of 810 residents per square mile, Wadsworth occupies a comfortable middle ground: dense enough to support active streets and natural surveillance, yet spread out enough to avoid the congestion pressures that elevate crime in larger metros. Median home values of $167,768 and median rent of $870 signal an accessible, stable housing market — another factor that correlates strongly with community cohesion and lower property crime.

What the Crime Data Actually Shows

Wadsworth's A-grade overall safety rating reflects performance well above state and national benchmarks. Property-related incidents — including theft, vehicle break-ins, and vandalism — represent the most frequently reported category in the city, as is typical for communities of this size and profile. Violent crime incidents are comparatively rare, occurring at rates that place Wadsworth among the safer small cities in northeastern Ohio.

When looking at the breakdown of reported incidents, the pattern is consistent with a low-risk environment: the vast majority of calls and reports involve minor property matters rather than crimes against persons. Disturbances and disorderly conduct make up a secondary tier, while serious offenses such as robbery or aggravated assault represent a very small fraction of total incidents. This distribution is a hallmark of communities earning an A safety grade.

Neighborhood-Level Context

The areas surrounding Wadsworth City Park and the historic downtown district are among the most active and well-monitored parts of the city. High foot traffic, well-lit streets, and consistent police presence contribute to a lower-risk environment in these corridors. Residential neighborhoods such as Wadsworth Heights and the developments along the city's eastern and southern edges tend to report the fewest incidents overall, benefiting from active neighborhood associations and community watch participation.

No city is entirely uniform, and Wadsworth is no exception. Isolated property crime incidents are more likely to cluster near commercial corridors and high-turnover retail areas, which is a pattern seen in virtually every A-grade community nationwide. Awareness of this pattern — rather than fear — is the practical takeaway for residents and visitors.

How Wadsworth Compares

An overall grade of A places Wadsworth in the top tier of Ohio cities for public safety. Compared to the state average, Wadsworth's crime rates are meaningfully lower across both property and violent crime categories. Relative to similarly sized Ohio cities — those in the 20,000–30,000 population range — Wadsworth consistently outperforms on safety metrics, a reflection of both its economic stability and its community investment in policing and civic engagement.

Using the Crime Map Effectively

The interactive crime map on this page lets you filter incidents by type, time period, and location. A few practical ways to get the most from it:

  • Filter by incident type to distinguish between property crimes and violent crimes — the difference matters when assessing day-to-day risk.
  • Use the time-range slider to identify whether a cluster of incidents is a persistent pattern or an isolated spike.
  • Cross-reference with neighborhood boundaries to understand whether activity near a commercial zone affects adjacent residential streets.
  • Check the heat map view for a quick visual summary of where incidents concentrate across the city.

For official incident reports and real-time updates, the Wadsworth Police Department publishes activity logs and community alerts directly on the city's website.

Safety Tips Grounded in Wadsworth's Data

Because property crime is the dominant incident category in Wadsworth, the most impactful personal safety steps are property-focused:

  • Lock vehicles every time — vehicle break-ins in Wadsworth, as in most A-grade cities, are largely crimes of opportunity targeting unlocked cars.
  • Secure your home perimeter — deadbolts, motion-activated lighting, and visible security cameras are proven deterrents for the type of low-level property incidents most common here.
  • Report non-emergency concerns to the Wadsworth Police non-emergency line; proactive reporting helps the department identify patterns before they escalate.
  • Engage with neighborhood watch programs active in areas like Wadsworth Heights and the historic district — community visibility is one of the most effective crime-suppression tools available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wadsworth, OH safe?

Yes — Wadsworth earns an overall crime grade of A, placing it among the safest communities in Ohio for its population size. The city's combination of low poverty (7%), stable employment (4.2% unemployment), and strong community engagement produces crime rates well below state and national averages. Most reported incidents involve minor property matters; violent crime is comparatively rare. Areas like the historic downtown district, Wadsworth City Park, and residential neighborhoods such as Wadsworth Heights consistently reflect the city's safe character.

What types of crime are most common in Wadsworth?

Property crime — including theft, vehicle break-ins, and vandalism — accounts for the largest share of reported incidents in Wadsworth, which is typical for A-grade communities where serious crime is genuinely uncommon. Disturbances and minor disorderly conduct make up a secondary category. Violent crimes such as robbery or aggravated assault represent a very small fraction of total incidents, occurring at rates well below Ohio state averages. The overall picture is one of a low-risk environment where opportunistic, minor property offenses are the primary concern rather than crimes against persons.

Which neighborhoods in Wadsworth are the safest?

Wadsworth's safety profile is strong city-wide, but certain areas stand out for particularly low incident rates. Residential neighborhoods on the city's eastern and southern edges, including developments near Wadsworth Heights, report among the fewest incidents. The historic downtown district and the areas surrounding Wadsworth City Park benefit from high foot traffic, consistent lighting, and active police presence — all of which suppress opportunistic crime. Commercial corridors see a slightly higher concentration of property incidents, as is the case in virtually every Ohio city of comparable size.

How does Wadsworth's crime rate compare to other Ohio cities?

Wadsworth's A overall crime grade reflects performance in the top tier of Ohio municipalities. Compared to the Ohio state average, Wadsworth's rates for both property and violent crime are meaningfully lower. Among Ohio cities in the 20,000–30,000 population range, Wadsworth is a consistent high performer on safety metrics. Its socioeconomic profile — median household income of $66,920, a 7% poverty rate, and stable housing costs — aligns closely with the characteristics of cities that sustain top safety grades over time.

Is Wadsworth a good place to live in 2026?

By most measures, yes. Wadsworth offers an A-grade safety environment, affordable housing (median home value $167,768, median rent $870), a low poverty rate of 7%, and an unemployment rate of 4.2% — a combination that supports quality of life for families, retirees, and working professionals alike. The city's small-town character, active civic institutions, historic downtown, and proximity to larger Northeast Ohio metros make it a well-rounded choice. Its sustained safety record is not accidental; it reflects deliberate community investment in policing, neighborhood engagement, and economic stability.

How can I stay updated on crime in Wadsworth?

The most reliable sources for current Wadsworth crime data are the Wadsworth Police Department's official page, which publishes incident logs and community alerts, and the interactive crime map on this page, which aggregates reported incidents with filtering by type, date, and location. Signing up for neighborhood watch communications in areas like Wadsworth Heights or the downtown district is also an effective way to stay informed about hyperlocal activity.