Dayton, OH Crime Rate & Safety

Dayton, OH has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 77% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 163 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 29 chance for property crime. Dayton has higher crime than 93% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Dayton has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. Approximately 52% of the city's 65 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Village of Winding Creek is one of the safest areas, while Miami Chapel 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 Village of Winding Creek, University Park, Eastmont, Kittyhawk, and Hearthstone. 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 Miami Chapel, Macfarlane, Five Points, Lakeview, and Roosevelt. 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 611.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 61% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 163 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.3 per 100K (66% above average); aggravated assault at 438.0 per 100K (63% above average); robbery at 111.7 per 100K (51% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Dayton is 3,426.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 87% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 29 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 437.3 per 100K (62% above average); larceny/theft at 2,442.0 per 100K (74% above average); vehicle theft at 547.6 per 100K (72% above average).

Dayton's overall crime rate is 77% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (74% above average), while robbery is 51% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Dayton has higher crime than 93% of them.

Visitors to Dayton should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 87% above 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 Village of Winding Creek, University Park, Eastmont.

Ohio as a whole has crime that is 3% below the national average. Dayton's crime rate is 77% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Ohio city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Dayton, with an estimated rate of 2,442.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 74% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,427 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (612 per 100K) in Dayton, which is consistent with national trends.