Wilmington, OH Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Wilmington, OH Crime

Is Wilmington, OH safe?

Wilmington earns an overall crime grade of B+, which places it in a favorable safety tier compared to many Ohio cities of similar size. With a population of roughly 12,444 and a population density of just 371 people per square mile, the city's relatively low density helps limit the concentration of crime incidents. Violent crime remains less prevalent than property crime, and the Wilmington Police Department's community-oriented approach has contributed to the city's above-average safety standing. Standard precautions — locking vehicles, securing home entry points, and staying aware of surroundings after dark — remain advisable, but residents generally report feeling comfortable in their day-to-day lives.

What is the crime rate in Wilmington, OH?

Wilmington's composite crime performance earns a B+ letter grade for 2026, reflecting a city that outperforms many peers in its population bracket. Property crimes — including theft, burglary, and vehicle-related offenses — account for the largest share of reported incidents, a pattern consistent with small Midwestern cities. Violent crimes such as assault and robbery represent a smaller fraction of total reports. Socioeconomic indicators provide important context: Wilmington carries a poverty rate of 24.5% and an unemployment rate of 5.7%, both of which are associated with elevated property crime risk nationally. Despite these pressures, the city's B+ grade signals that local enforcement and community programs are effectively keeping overall crime in check.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Wilmington, OH?

Within Wilmington's compact footprint, areas near Wilmington College and the surrounding campus corridor tend to benefit from higher foot traffic, active community presence, and campus security resources — factors that correlate with lower incident rates. Residential pockets adjacent to Caesar Creek State Park access routes and the city's established park-and-school zones also report fewer incidents on the crime map. Conversely, blocks closer to high-traffic commercial corridors can show modestly elevated property crime activity, consistent with retail-adjacent theft patterns seen across cities with a median household income of $38,187. Using the interactive crime map to filter by incident type and time period is the most reliable way to compare specific streets before making a housing decision.

How does Wilmington's poverty rate affect local crime?

Wilmington's poverty rate of 24.5% — notably higher than the U.S. national average of roughly 12% — creates economic stress that research consistently links to higher property crime rates. With a median household income of $38,187 and a median home value of $121,026, many residents operate on tight budgets, which can increase vulnerability to opportunistic theft and reduce resources available for private security measures. The city's 5.7% unemployment rate compounds this dynamic. That said, Wilmington's B+ overall crime grade demonstrates that economic hardship alone does not determine safety outcomes — community investment, policing strategies, and neighborhood cohesion all play meaningful roles in keeping the city safer than its poverty figures might otherwise predict.

Is Wilmington, OH a good place to live in 2026?

For residents prioritizing affordability and small-town livability, Wilmington presents a compelling case. The median home value of $121,026 and median rent of $752 per month make housing accessible well below Ohio's larger metro averages. The city's B+ crime grade provides reassurance that safety is not a major barrier to quality of life. Challenges do exist: a poverty rate of 24.5% and unemployment at 5.7% reflect real economic headwinds, and prospective residents should weigh these factors alongside the city's tight-knit community culture, proximity to outdoor recreation, and lower cost of living. Families, retirees, and remote workers seeking an affordable, relatively safe Midwestern base will find Wilmington worth serious consideration.

How can I use Wilmington's crime map effectively?

Wilmington's crime map becomes most useful when you move beyond a single snapshot. Start by filtering incidents by crime category — separating property crimes from violent crimes reveals very different geographic patterns across the city's neighborhoods. Apply a time-range filter spanning at least 90 days to distinguish persistent hotspots from one-off incidents. Pay attention to the density of incidents near high-traffic retail zones versus quieter residential streets, especially given that property crime drives the majority of Wilmington's reported activity. Cross-referencing map data with the city's socioeconomic profile — median income of $38,187, population density of 371 per sq mi — helps contextualize why certain corridors see more activity. Revisit the map monthly, as Wilmington's B+ grade reflects an actively managed safety environment that can shift with seasonal patterns and enforcement priorities.