Defiance, OH Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 70% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Defiance Safe?
Yes — Defiance has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Defiance has a crime rate that is 36% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 397.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 397
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
34% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 69
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
21% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Defiance 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
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
75 | -25% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Defiance Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Defiance Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Defiance zip codes.
Defiance Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Defiance, OH?
Defiance, OH has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 36% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 397 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 69 chance for property crime. Defiance has lower crime than 70% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Defiance, OH safe to live in?
Defiance is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Defiance is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Defiance?
The estimated violent crime rate in Defiance is 252.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 397 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.2 per 100K (36% below average); aggravated assault at 182.7 per 100K (32% below average); robbery at 45.6 per 100K (38% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Defiance?
The estimated property crime rate in Defiance is 1,440.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 69 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 173.8 per 100K (36% below average); larceny/theft at 1,044.8 per 100K (25% below average); vehicle theft at 222.3 per 100K (30% below average).
How does Defiance crime compare to the national average?
Defiance's overall crime rate is 36% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (25% below average), while robbery is 38% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Defiance has lower crime than 70% of them.
Is Defiance safe to visit?
Defiance is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 21% 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 Defiance crime compare to the rest of Ohio?
Ohio as a whole has crime that is 3% below the national average. Defiance's crime rate is 36% below the national average, making it safer the typical Ohio city.
What type of crime is most common in Defiance?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Defiance, with an estimated rate of 1,044.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 25% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,441 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (252 per 100K) in Defiance, which is consistent with national trends.