Crime is everywhere, even in the beautiful Buckeye State. From small towns to big cities, Ohio isn’t immune to illegal activity, and some areas of the state are affected more than others. Recent FBI statistics have determined the following 10 cities in Ohio are currently the most dangerous. Rankings were determined by 100,00 per capita stats based on FBI data, which is the most recent data available and accounts for “offenses known to law enforcement.”  To read more about the specific types of crime reported in each city, check out the FBI’s Crime Table 8 for Ohio. Let’s take a look at the most dangerous cities in Ohio.

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What do you think of these statistics of the most dangerous cities in Ohio? Did any of them surprise you? Let us know in the comments! Now that you’ve seen the worst places to live in Ohio, book a trip to this state and check out the best places to live in Ohio.

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most dangerous cities in Ohio

What are some other dangerous places in Ohio?

Other dangerous places in Ohio include:

  • Buckeye Trail in Hocking Hills
  • Linndale
  • Fairfax
  • Clinton
  • Portsmouth
  • New Boston
  • Youngstown
  • Holland

In addition to the cities listed above, Ohio has some treacherous trails that outdoor adventurers should be sure and exercise caution around. One is the Buckeye Trail.  Hocking Hills State Park, located in Logan, Ohio, has 16 hiking trails and the statewide Buckeye Trail is the most dangerous trail in the park. It’s also arguably the most dangerous hike in all of Ohio. The year 2013 saw three fatal falls from the cliffs in Hocking Hills; 2017 saw one; and 2019 saw at least three more. Many people wander off-trail here to get a closer look at the giant cliff faces that can be found throughout the park. However, these cliffs are often slippery, and the many accidents that have occurred here make this the most dangerous hike in Ohio. (But we need to add a disclaimer, here: Hocking Hills is truly one of the most magnificent areas of the Buckeye State, and there are numerous accessible and family-friendly hikes in the park worth seeking out!
Find out more about dangerous places in Ohio.

What are the safest cities in Ohio?

The safest cities in Ohio include:

  • Chester Township
  • Olmsted Township
  • Sagamore Hills
  • Clearcreek Township
  • Springboro
  • North Ridgeville
  • Poland Township
  • Hamilton Township
  • Bay Village
  • Seven Hills

If the above list of the most dangerous cities in Ohio got you bummed, we have some good news: Ohio's safest cities had the state's lowest violent and property crime rates. Additionally, all of the safest cities reported fewer than 20 total violent crimes this year, with 80% reporting 10 or fewer. This list above includes the 10 safest cities in Ohio. Other cities that earned spots in the top 20 were Perrysburg, Hudson (pictured), Berea, North Royalton, Powell, Clayton, Brunswick, Mason, American Township, and Aurora. Overall, Ohio's violent crime rate is pretty low compared to most states, (ranking eighth lowest out of 50), so you should feel pretty safe living in the Buckeye State!

What is the friendliest town in Ohio?

The friendliest town in Ohio is Columbiana.

The little town of Columbiana has been found to be the friendliest town in the state with a lovely town center, Amish shops like Das Dutch Village Shops, and an absolutely charming Main Street.

Explore Ohio