Dayton, NJ Crime Rate & Safety

Dayton, NJ has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 56% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 299 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 82 chance for property crime. Dayton has lower crime than 100% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Dayton is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A+. Approximately 100% of the city's 3 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Summerfield is one of the safest areas, while Summerfield has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Dayton is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Dayton are Summerfield, Dayton Square, and Village of Dayton. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Dayton include Summerfield, and Dayton Square. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Dayton is 334.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 12% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 299 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.7 per 100K (26% below average); aggravated assault at 119.3 per 100K (56% below average); robbery at 171.7 per 100K (132% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Dayton is 1,218.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 33% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 82 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 106.7 per 100K (60% below average); larceny/theft at 623.6 per 100K (56% below average); vehicle theft at 488.5 per 100K (53% above average).

Dayton's overall crime rate is 56% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (132% above average), while burglary is 60% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Dayton has lower crime than 100% of them.

Dayton is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 33% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Summerfield, Dayton Square, Village of Dayton.

New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Dayton's crime rate is 56% below the national average, making it safer the typical New Jersey city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Dayton, with an estimated rate of 623.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 56% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,219 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (335 per 100K) in Dayton, which is consistent with national trends.