Ohio’s 20 Safest Cities of 2023

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The SafeWise Team is pleased to release the ninth annual Safest Cities report.

Here are the 10 safest cities in Ohio for 2023

See if your city made the full list.

In our latest State of Safety survey, 51% of respondents in Ohio reported concern for their safety. This is about the same as the national average of 50%.

This is surprising since the state falls below national averages for both violent crime and property crime. Property crime stayed the same year over year, and violent crime rose by just 0.3 incidents per 1,000 residents. Ohio's 20 safest cities saw only a fraction of the state rates for both crime categories.

In this report

2023 Ohio crime rates

Although Ohio's violent crime rate is relatively low compared to most states, it had a small increase from 3.1 crimes per 1,000 people to 3.4 this year. Last year, the state's property crime rate followed national downward trends, moving from 20.6 per 1,000 people to 18.5. This year it holds steady at 18.5.

Ohio's crime rates are below the national average.

Image: SafeWise

Violent crime in Ohio: Fear vs. reality

People in Ohio tend to feel less safe in their home state than the average American. This isn't surprising since the respondents reported an above-average experience with violent crime and gun violence. 

  • 46% of people in Ohio reported feeling safe in their state compared to 50% of Americans.
  • 21% of Ohio respondents reported having a personal experience with violent crime in the 12 months prior to the survey (US 15%). That's up 31% from the year before.
  • Murder is the least-common violent crime in The Buckeye State, making up 2% of violent crimes (US 2%).
  • 39% of survey participants report using some form of personal protection like pepper spray—the same as the US average (39%).
  • The most common form of protection (41%) was pocket knives.
  • 39% of Ohioans say their personal safety has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 44% of Americans. 

Attitudes about gun violence in Ohio

  • 50% of Ohio residents named gun violence as a safety concern—well above the US average of 47%.
  • 16% of survey respondents reported experiencing gun violence in the 12 months prior to the survey—higher than the national average of 12%.
  • There were 19 mass shootings in Ohio. This number decreased this year by 40%.
  • 38% of Ohioans said they use a concealed firearm for protection (US 41%).
58% worry about package theft.

Image: SafeWise

Property crime in Ohio: Fear vs. reality

There was an increase in personal encounters with property crime in Ohio this year. It rose 38%. There was also a large increase in experiences with package theft, rising 84%. 

  • 29% of Ohio residents told us they personally experienced property crime this year, up from last year (21%).
  • Burglary accounts for 15% of all property crimes in The Buckeye State (US 14%).
  • 35% of respondents reported experiencing package theft—almost matching the US average (34%).
  • 29% of people in Ohio use no form of property protection. This is substantially higher than the 24% national average.
  • The most popular form of property protection is security cameras (39%).
  • 34% of respondents say the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the security of their property—this is higher than the US average of 28%.

A closer look at the safest cities in Ohio

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

  • All of the safest cities reported less than one violent crime per 1,000 residents.
  • Olmsted Township jumped three spots to earn our #1 spot and reported zero violent crime for the second year in a row. Clearcreek Township was the only other city to report zero violent crimes.
  • All of the safest cities reported less than 180 property crimes each. Many of them reported less than 60.
  • 2 cities, New Philadelphia and Brecksville, reported zero motor vehicle thefts. 
  • Zero murders were reported among the top eight safest cities.
  • Six of the top 10 safest cities reported zero rapes.
  • Violent crime was 92% lower and property crime was 78% lower in the safest cities than the state average.
The safest city in Ohio is Olmsted Township.

Image: SafeWise

The 20 safest cities in Ohio

Olmsted Township, OH map
#1
Olmsted Township
(
+3
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    13,644
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $81,153
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.0, 0.0, 0.1
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.0, 2.7, 2.2
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Geographic location of New Philadelphia, OH
#2
New Philadelphia
(
+13
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    17,428
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $49,228
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.1, 0.4, 0.5
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.1, 6.0, 13.9
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#3
Brecksville
(
+5
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    13,611
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $115,370
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.1, 0.1, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.7, 4.2, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Clearcreek Township, OH map
#4
Clearcreek Township
(
-2
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    16,724
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $84,390
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.0, 0.1, 0.1
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.3, 2.0, 2.3
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Hamilton Township/ Warren County, OH map
#5
Hamilton Township, Warren County
(
New
Icon Blank
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    24,711
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $108,087
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.3, N/A, 0.5
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.3, N/A, 3.3
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Springboro, OH map
#6
Springboro
(
New
Icon Blank
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    19,429
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $111,538
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.2, N/A, 0.1
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    3.7, N/A, 3.5
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#7
Parma Heights
(
New
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    19,669
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $53,642
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.2, N/A, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    3.7, N/A, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Berea, OH map
#8
Berea
(
+30
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    18,563
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $60,417
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.3, 1.3, 0.5
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    3.9, 7.6, 4.3
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#9
Avon Lake
(
-6
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    25,040
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $95,121
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.4, 0.2, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.0, 2.1, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Mason, OH map
#10
Mason
(
New
Icon Blank
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    34,660
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $110,833
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.1, N/A, 0.3
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.1, N/A, 6.4
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
River City, Ohio map
#11
Rocky River
(
-4
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    20,007
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $83,929
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.4, 0.6, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.2, 2.8, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Poland Township, OH map
#12
Poland Township
(
-6
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    11,703
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $85,306
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.5, 0.3, 0.5
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.3, 2.6, 3.0
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Bay Village, OH map
#13
Bay Village
(
+17
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    15,154
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $111,516
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.3, 0.4, 0.3
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.9, 8.3, 4.7
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#14
Goshen Township, Clermont County
(
+8
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    16,498
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $69,583
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.7, 0.4, 1.0
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.1, 6.8, 8.6
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#15
Twinsburg
(
+14
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    18,956
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $85,625
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.3, 0.8, 0.9
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.6, 6.7, 4.8
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Hudson, OH map
#16
Hudson
(
+1
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    22,170
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $143,143
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.2, 0.2, 0.3
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.8, 6.6, 5.2
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
American Township, OH map
#17
American Township
(
-3
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    11,989
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $57,173
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.3, 0.3, 0.0
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    6.0, 5.9, 8.0
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Seven Hills, OH map
#18
Seven Hills
(
-9
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    11,600
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $83,778
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.3, 0.3, 0.6
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    6.3, 4.7, 3.2
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#19
Loveland
(
+5
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    13,253
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $75,610
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.6, 0.8, 1.2
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    6.0, 6.3, 5.5
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Geographic location of Perrysburg, OH
#20
Perrysburg Township
(
-7
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    13,072
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $75,769
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.2, 0.2, 0.2
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    7.3, 6.2, 9.8
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

How we determined the safest cities

Learn how we identified the safest cities on our methodology page.

How to make a safe home anywhere

Whether your city made our list or not, we encourage everyone to be proactive about home security. One of the best ways to stop a burglary before it happens is to add a home security system.

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Get a home security system

Find out which companies we recommend for every budget and lifestyle in our roundup of the Best Home Security Systems—and learn the basics with our guide on Everything You Need to Know About Home Security

Compare the best home security systems

Brand
Best for
Monthly cost Icon Tooltip  Dark
Starter equipment price
Contract required
Smart home compatibility Icon Tooltip  Dark
Learn more
Read review
Best overall$599.00
Icon Yes  LightNo *
Amazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
Budget pick$245.00
Icon Yes  LightNo
Amazon,
Google
Most experienced$0.00
Icon No  LightYes
Amazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
Best customer experienceQuote required
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Best optional monitoring$199.15
Icon Yes  LightNo
Amazon,
Google,
Z-Wave

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.

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Didn't find your city?

We calculated crime rates for every city in the state that met our population threshold, based on the state’s median population as calculated using FBI data. To request a report of the remaining cities in your state email info@safewise.com with the subject line: Safest Cities Full Report.

NOTE: If your city is missing from our full report, it means that it was below the population threshold or didn’t submit a complete crime report to the FBI in 2021.

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Find the safest cities in each state

Click on the state image or dropdown menu below to check out the safest cities for each state.


Related articles on SafeWise


Endnotes and sources

FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed February 6, 2023.

  • 2021 and 2020 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
    • Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
  • 2021 NIBRS Estimation Tables

FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, "Offenses Known to Law Enforcement [2019]." Accessed February 6, 2023.

Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed February 6, 2023.

US Census Bureau, "2021: ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables." Accessed February 6, 2023.

US Census Bureau, "2021: ACS 5-Year Estimates Detailed Tables." Accessed February 6, 2023.

SafeWise, "2022 State of Safety survey." Accessed February 6, 2023.

Gun Violence Archive, "General Methodology." Accessed February 6, 2023.

Gun Violence Archive, "Past Summary Ledgers." Accessed January 3, 2023.

Gun Violence Archive, "Congress."

  • 2022 totals: Accessed January 3, 2023.
  • 2021 and 2020 totals: Accessed December 19, 2022.
Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina Bradford
Alina is a safety and security expert that has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. Her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Her activities aren’t nearly as dangerous today. Her hobbies include fixing up her 100-year-old house, doing artsy stuff, and going to the lake with her family.

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