Dayton, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 96% 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 51% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 701.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 701
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
63% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 38
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
43% higher 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
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
40 | -60% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
22 | -78% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
137 | +37% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
140 | +40% | Moderate | |
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, VA?
Dayton, VA has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 51% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 701 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 38 chance for property crime. Dayton has lower crime than 96% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Dayton, VA 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 142.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 63% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 701 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.5 per 100K (51% below average); aggravated assault at 108.2 per 100K (60% below average); robbery at 16.1 per 100K (78% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Dayton?
The estimated property crime rate in Dayton is 2,615.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 38 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 244.2 per 100K (10% below average); larceny/theft at 1,925.9 per 100K (37% above average); vehicle theft at 444.9 per 100K (40% above average).
How does Dayton crime compare to the national average?
Dayton's overall crime rate is 51% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (40% above average), while robbery is 78% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Dayton has lower crime than 96% of them.
Is Dayton safe to visit?
Dayton is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 43% 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.
How does Dayton crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Dayton's crime rate is 51% below the national average, making it safer the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Dayton?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Dayton, with an estimated rate of 1,925.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 37% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,615 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (143 per 100K) in Dayton, which is consistent with national trends.