Dayton, KY Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 93% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Dayton Safe?
Yes — Dayton is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Dayton has a crime rate that is 49% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 612.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 612
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
57% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 116
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
53% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Dayton Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
11 | -89% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
30 | -70% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Dayton Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Dayton Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Dayton zip codes.
Dayton Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Dayton, KY?
Dayton, KY has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 49% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 612 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 116 chance for property crime. Dayton has lower crime than 93% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Dayton, KY safe to live in?
Dayton is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Dayton is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Dayton?
The estimated violent crime rate in Dayton is 163.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 57% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 612 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.3 per 100K (53% below average); aggravated assault at 136.7 per 100K (49% below average); robbery at 8.3 per 100K (89% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Dayton?
The estimated property crime rate in Dayton is 860.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 53% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 116 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 81.9 per 100K (70% below average); larceny/theft at 621.6 per 100K (56% below average); vehicle theft at 156.9 per 100K (51% below average).
How does Dayton crime compare to the national average?
Dayton's overall crime rate is 49% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (49% below average), while robbery is 89% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Dayton has lower crime than 93% of them.
Is Dayton safe to visit?
Dayton is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 53% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Dayton crime compare to the rest of Kentucky?
Kentucky as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Dayton's crime rate is 49% below the national average, making it safer the typical Kentucky city.
What type of crime is most common in Dayton?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Dayton, with an estimated rate of 621.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 56% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (860 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (163 per 100K) in Dayton, which is consistent with national trends.