Ohio is a state with many attractions, such as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Ohio River. However, not all places in Ohio are safe for visitors or residents. According to FBI statistics, some Ohio cities have high rates of violent and property crimes, making them among the most dangerous towns in the US. Here are four of them:
Chillicothe
Chillicothe was once the capital of Ohio, but now it is the most dangerous city in the state. With a population of 21,748, Chillicothe has a crime rate of 32.56 per thousand, which is 248% higher than the state average. You are 3.5 times more likely to experience a property crime in Chillicothe than the rest of Ohio.
The most common crimes in Chillicothe include murder, assault, burglary, and auto theft. Chillicothe only spans 10.5 miles, but it has 163 crimes per square mile. Violence is a part of life in Chillicothe, and it affects 1 out of 209 people.
Canton
Canton is well known for the Professional Football Hall of Fame, but it is also well known for its high crime rate. Canton is more dangerous than 99% of other American cities. With a population of 72,163, Canton has a crime rate of 6.11 per thousand, which is 109% higher than the state average.
There were 1,429 violent crimes and 3,411 property crimes reported in Canton in 2020. These crimes include murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, and auto theft. Canton also has a high poverty rate of 31.7%, which contributes to the crime problem.
Cleveland
Cleveland is the second-largest city in Ohio and the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. However, it is also the third-most dangerous city in the state. With a population of 389,165, Cleveland has a crime rate of 9.02 per thousand, which is 164% higher than the state average.
There were 9,036 violent crimes and 26,301 property crimes reported in Cleveland in 2020. These crimes include murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, and auto theft. Cleveland also has a high poverty rate of 33.1%, which affects the quality of life and safety of its residents.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a small city on the Ohio River, but it is also a hotspot for crime. With a population of 20,424, Portsmouth has a crime rate of 11.76 per thousand, which is 214% higher than the state average. You are 4.2 times more likely to experience a property crime in Portsmouth than the rest of Ohio.
The most common crimes in Portsmouth include murder, assault, burglary, and auto theft. Portsmouth also has a high poverty rate of 36.8%, which is linked to the drug problem and the crime problem in the city.
Conclusion
Ohio is a state with many attractions, but also many dangers. Some of its cities have high rates of violent and property crimes, making them among the most dangerous towns in the US. These cities include Chillicothe, Canton, Cleveland, and Portsmouth.
These cities have high poverty rates, low quality of life, and frequent incidents of murder, assault, burglary, and auto theft. Visitors and residents of these cities should be aware of the risks and take precautions to protect themselves and their property. Ohio is not all bad, but it is not all good either.