Sandusky, OH Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 73% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Sandusky Safe?
It's average — crime is at the national average
Crime rates are comparable to the national average. Being aware of your surroundings is advisable.
Sandusky has a crime rate that is 11% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 267.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 267
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
2% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 39
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
42% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Sandusky 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
|
118 | +18% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
96 | -4% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
107 | +7% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
97 | -3% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
107 | +7% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
136 | +36% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
125 | +25% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Sandusky Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Sandusky Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Sandusky zip codes.
Sandusky Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Sandusky, OH?
Sandusky, OH has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 11% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 267 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 39 chance for property crime. Sandusky has higher crime than 73% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Sandusky, OH safe to live in?
Sandusky 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 Sandusky is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Sandusky?
The estimated violent crime rate in Sandusky is 374.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 2% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 267 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.9 per 100K (18% above average); aggravated assault at 256.6 per 100K (4% below average); robbery at 79.0 per 100K (7% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Sandusky?
The estimated property crime rate in Sandusky is 2,595.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 42% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 39 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 288.3 per 100K (7% above average); larceny/theft at 1,909.0 per 100K (36% above average); vehicle theft at 398.4 per 100K (25% above average).
How does Sandusky crime compare to the national average?
Sandusky's overall crime rate is 11% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (36% above average), while assault is 4% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Sandusky has higher crime than 73% of them.
Is Sandusky safe to visit?
Visitors to Sandusky should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 42% 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 Sandusky crime compare to the rest of Ohio?
Ohio as a whole has crime that is 3% below the national average. Sandusky's crime rate is 11% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Ohio city.
What type of crime is most common in Sandusky?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Sandusky, with an estimated rate of 1,909.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 36% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,596 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (374 per 100K) in Sandusky, which is consistent with national trends.