Traveling around the United States of America always brings great adventure to whoever decides to make the trek.
All across the nation, there are different landscapes and views to be seen.
The United States has mountains and oceans, deserts and valleys, hot climates and frigid climates, and so much more.
One of the great states that you can visit is the state of Ohio.
As a whole, Ohio is a very safe state to visit.
Its crime rates are lower than the national average.
The violent crime rate in Ohio is 3.1 (meaning it affects 3.1 out of 1000 people) compared to the national average of 4.0, and the property crime rate is 18.5 compared to the national average of 19.6.
Contents
The Ten Safest Cities in Ohio
10. Broadview Heights
Broadview Heights, Ohio is located in the northeastern corner of the state.
The town of Broadview Heights dates all the way back to 1811.
It has been a center for the community and for families for a long time.
Parks, downtown areas, restaurants, and more create a safe and fun environment for families to spend time together.
Broadview Heights has a property crime rate of 1.0 and a violent crime rate of 0.1.
The population is just over 19,000.
9. Clearcreek Township
Clearcreek Township is located in southeastern Ohio and is known for its parks.
The town dates back to about 1815.
The oldest church in Clearcreek Township is Clearcreek Baptist Church, founded in 1797.
The population of Clearcreek Township is just over 16,000 residents.
The property crime rate is 2.0 and the violent crime rate is 0.1.
8. Avon Lake
Avon Lake, Ohio is located at the very top of the state on the eastern side.
It is right on Lake Erie.
It is known largely for its lake, Avon Lake, which the town is named after.
Avon Lake is only fifteen minutes from the city of Cleveland.
This means it has great accessibility to museums and city attractions, as well as the advantages of a small town on the lake.
The population of Avon Lake is about 25,000.
The property crime rate is 2.1 and the violent crime rate is 0.2.
7. Olmsted Township
Olmsted Township is located in northeastern Ohio.
It is the 40th safest town in the entire country.
Olmsted Township is focused on community and service, offering township events and focusing a lot on diversity.
They have a community pantry, library, community center, and more.
The population of Olmsted Township is a little over 13,000.
The property crime rate is 2.7 and the violent crime rate is 0.
6. Sagamore Hills
Sagamore Hills is located in northeastern Ohio and is surrounded by nature paths.
Outdoor activities are a big part of life in Sagamore Hills.
It is located between Cleveland, Ohio, and Akron, Ohio.
It is known as a bedroom community because of its location and its population of around 11,000 people.
Cuyahoga National Park is also located in Sagamore Hills.
The property crime rate in Sagamore Hills is 2.7 and the violent crime rate is 0.
5. Poland Township
The history of Poland Township dates back to the Revolutionary War.
The town is said to have been named for a Polish Revolutionary War soldier that captured the hearts of the people in town.
Poland Township is located on the far eastern side of the state of Ohio.
Poland is also known as a bedroom community and only contains small businesses and homes.
The population of Poland Township is around 12,000.
The property crime rate is 2.6 and the violent crime rate is 0.3.
4. Rocky River
Rocky River is located in the northeastern part of Ohio, near Cleveland.
It was settled in 1815.
It has eight parks with many amenities and a lot of community involvement.
Lake Erie is on the north side of the town and the Rocky River is on the east.
There are many outdoor activities for the whole family.
The population of Rocky River town is just under 20,000.
The property crime rate is 2.8 and the violent crime rate is 0.6.
3. Brecksville
Brecksville, Ohio is located in northeastern Ohio and is nestled in the lands of the Western Reserve.
The town was founded around 1811.
It is fifteen miles south of Cleveland.
One-third of the land in Brecksville is woodlands and parks.
Cleveland’s Metroparks are in this area, as well as Cuyahoga National Park.
The population of Brecksville is about 14,000.
The property crime rate is 4.2, and the violent crime rate is 0.1.
2. Seven Hills
Seven Hills is located in northeastern Ohio, like many other cities on this list.
Seven Hills is close to Cleveland and also has access to a lot of the amenities that are available in a town that is close to a large city.
Because it is a smaller town, there are community events and nature all around Seven Hills.
Seven Hills also has a recreation center and many parks to choose from.
The population of Seven Hills is just under 12,000 people.
The property crime rate is 4.7 and the violent crime rate is 0.3.
1. Powell
Powell is the only city on this list that is located in the middle of Ohio.
Like many other Ohio cities, Powell has a lot of outdoor activities available.
Settlers came to Powell in 1813 and started making the little village their home.
The town stayed about the same size and was relatively colonial in nature until the 1980s when the business started booming in nearby Columbus.
By the year 2000, Powell became a town, and it is one of the residential suburbs of the big city.
The population of Powell is just under 14,000.
The property crime rate is 5.7 and the violent crime rate is 0.
Five Safety Trips for Traveling in Ohio
Stay aware of your surroundings.
Criminals take advantage of distracted tourists all the time.
If you are in a public setting, try to stay off of your phone and be alert.
Pay attention to the people and cars around you.
It is always good to be alert.
Travel with a buddy.
Traveling alone can be very dangerous.
Another target for criminals is solo tourists.
Solo travelers tend to be distracted more often and easier to prey on.
Traveling with at least one other person ensures that you have someone looking out for you.
It can also be a great choice because if you are taking a road trip, more than one person can drive.
Plan out your stops beforehand.
Once you know where you are headed, go ahead and map it out.
Plan out gas stops and meal breaks, and even fun little detours.
Knowing where you are going and what is around you can help you stay safe.
This can also help you avoid rest stops or gas stations that may be a little bit sketchy.
Always have a map.
Most of us have maps on our cell phones now, or at least a GPS.
Whether it is a print map or a digital one, make sure you have a way to know where you are going if you get lost.
You can always stop at gas stations or restaurants and ask for directions, but having your own map is the best way to go.
Be prepared.
Anything can happen while you are traveling.
Be prepared for car trouble with a spare tire, jack, and jumper cables.
Have an extra phone charger.
Maybe take a printed map too, just in case.
A toothbrush and change of clothes cannot hurt, either.
If you are prepared for any scenario, you can react quickly and stay safe.
Sources
- https://www.broadview-heights.org/
- https://www.clearcreektownship.com/
- https://www.avonlake.org/our-community/
- https://olmstedtownship.org/
- https://www.mysagamorehills.com/community/township_information/index.php
- https://polandtownship.com/
- https://www.rrcity.com/
- https://www.brecksville.oh.us/
- http://www.sevenhillsohio.org/
- https://cityofpowell.us/
Ohio Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Ohio Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most dangerous city to visit in Ohio?
Canton, Ohio is the most dangerous city in the state.
The population of Canton is relatively low, just over 70,000, but the violent crime rate and property crime rate are very high compared to surrounding towns.
Is there the safest region to stay in when you travel to Ohio?
Seven out of the ten safest cities in Ohio are in the northeastern part of Ohio.
It is safe to say that it is the safest region in the state.
However, there are safe cities in other areas of the state as well.
Are there major areas I should avoid when I travel to Ohio?
It is always important to consider the crime rates and overall safety concerns of any city or region that you visit.
Ohio is no exception.
It may be a good idea to avoid the more dangerous cities in the state, but even dangerous cities can be visited in safety if you keep your safety tips in mind and stay alert and aware.
I’ve lived in Cincinnati my whole life, but it’s reassuring to see it listed among the safest cities in Ohio.
As someone planning to move to Ohio soon, this list is incredibly helpful! Safety is a top priority for me, so knowing which cities rank the highest gives me peace of mind.