Oberlin, OH Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 39% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Oberlin Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Oberlin has a crime rate that is 8% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 229.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 229
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
15% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 42
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
30% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Oberlin 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
|
113 | +13% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
111 | +11% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
113 | +13% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
143 | +43% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
99 | -1% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
123 | +23% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
120 | +20% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Oberlin Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Oberlin Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Oberlin zip codes.
Oberlin Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Oberlin, OH?
Oberlin, OH has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 8% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 229 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 42 chance for property crime. Oberlin has lower crime than 39% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Oberlin, OH safe to live in?
Oberlin has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Oberlin is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Oberlin?
The estimated violent crime rate in Oberlin is 436.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 15% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 229 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.7 per 100K (13% above average); aggravated assault at 298.9 per 100K (11% above average); robbery at 83.8 per 100K (13% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Oberlin?
The estimated property crime rate in Oberlin is 2,375.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 30% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 42 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 266.7 per 100K (1% below average); larceny/theft at 1,725.2 per 100K (23% above average); vehicle theft at 383.1 per 100K (20% above average).
How does Oberlin crime compare to the national average?
Oberlin's overall crime rate is 8% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (43% above average), while burglary is 1% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Oberlin has lower crime than 39% of them.
Is Oberlin safe to visit?
Visitors to Oberlin should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 30% 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 Oberlin crime compare to the rest of Ohio?
Ohio as a whole has crime that is 3% below the national average. Oberlin's crime rate is 8% below the national average, making it safer the typical Ohio city.
What type of crime is most common in Oberlin?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Oberlin, with an estimated rate of 1,725.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 23% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,375 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (437 per 100K) in Oberlin, which is consistent with national trends.