Whether you are visiting, planning to move, or just curious about the city, you may be wondering about the crime rate in Cleveland, Ohio. The crime rate is very dependent on the neighborhood and part of the city you are in as well. Overall, the metropolitan area’s crime rate in Cleveland is 141.6% higher than the United States rate and 154.7% higher than the state’s rate. While the city is filled with great things and experiences, a new study by Wallet Hub, ranked Cleveland one of the 20 least safe cities in America, however, much of the crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods with higher poverty rates and lower access to employment and the rate of crime has been declining since 2018.
We will go into the discussion of the crimes in the city, so you can figure out what the next best step is for you and your family. We also go over which areas are the safest and which areas are the least safe, so you can make an informed decision on where you want to live. Finally, we’ll go into detail about the police station in the area and how to contact them.
Note: All data is taken from the 2019 FBI Crime Stats.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Cleveland Crime Rate
Crime Rate is a common way to show the safety of a city and is a very reliable way to determine the safety levels of cities and states. Crime rates are usually calculated per 100k people. Basically, the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics takes the total number of crimes in the city and divides it by the total population in the city. The number is then multiplied by 100,000 to get the crime rate that can be compared to other cities.
There are two categories of crimes: violent crimes and property crimes. Violent crimes are considered dangerous. Examples of violent crimes include murder, assault and battery, manslaughter, homicide, rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, and robbery. Property crimes, on the other hand, are considered less dangerous. Property crimes include things like theft, larceny, motor vehicle theft, burglary, arson, shoplifting, and vandalism.
Another great way to look at crime rates is by looking at the Cleveland crime map. With a crime map, you will be able to see where and what incidents occurred throughout the city. Check out this Cleveland Crime Map to see the map.
Cleveland Overall Crime Rate
In Cleveland specifically, there were a total of 22,848 crimes. There is a total crime rate of 5,984 per 100k people. This translates into a chance of becoming a victim of crime in the city is a 1 in 17 chance.
In Cleveland, there are 1,785 total law enforcement employees, about 1,560 of those being officers. The number of officers per 1,000 population is 4.1.
Violent Crime in Cleveland
As stated above, violent crimes are considered serious and dangerous crimes (murder, assault and battery, manslaughter, homicide, rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, and robbery). Here is the data for violent crimes in Cleveland:
- Cleveland murder rate – 24 per 100k people. For this statistic, homicide and murder are considered the same. The state’s rate is 4.6 per 100k people and the United States rate is 5 per 100k people.
- Cleveland violent crime – 5,791 total violent crimes.
- Cleveland violent crime rate – 1,517 per 100k people. The state’s rate is 293 per 100k and the United States rate is 367 per 100k.
- Chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Cleveland – 1 in 66 chances. The state’s rate is 1 in 341 and the United States rate is 1 in 273.
Some other statistics you might want to be aware of is the number of rapes, robberies, and aggravated assault there are. In 2019, there were 479 rapes, 1,895 robberies, and 3,325 aggravated assaults in the city. Violent crime in the city, and in the nation, is seeing increases over the past few years.
Property Crime in Cleveland
As stated above, property crimes are considered less dangerous crimes compared to violent crimes (theft, larceny, motor vehicle theft, burglary, arson, shoplifting, and vandalism). Here is the data for property crimes in Cleveland:
- Cleveland property crime rate – 4,467 per 100k. The state’s rate is 2,056 per 100k and the United States rate is 2,110 per 100k.
- Cleveland total property crimes – 17,057 total violent crimes
- Chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Cleveland – 1 in 22 chance of being a victim of property crime. The state’s rate is 1 in 49 and the United States rate is 1 in 47.
The most common property crime committed in Cleveland in the United States is Larceny (theft). There were 9,968 thefts in Cleveland and over 5 million in all the U.S. Even though property crimes are considered less dangerous, they are still a good measurement of danger in the area and are important to take into consideration.
High Crime Areas of Cleveland
When comparing neighborhoods to find Cleveland areas to avoid, the following would be considered dangerous neighborhoods of Cleveland:
Industrial Valley
Located along the Cuyahoga River, Industrial valley is known as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Cleveland with 60% higher crime rates than the rest of the city and 540% more violent crimes than the United States average. In Industrial Valley, there is a 1 in 11 chance of becoming a victim of crime. Many of the residents in this neighborhood don’t feel safe letting their kids outside alone or after dark, and it’s considered a bad area of Cleveland.
North Broadway
North Broadway, also known as Slavic Village, is also a very dangerous neighborhood in Cleveland with 49% higher crime rates than the rest of the city. The neighborhood is located right by the Flats. Which is a known area of shut-down buildings with a high crime rate. Many of the residents here and nearby don’t feel safe after dark.
Kinsmith
Kinsmith is also a bad area of Cleveland with 44% higher crime rates than the rest of the city. Here, you will not find many kids playing outside or people taking walks for pleasure. Many of the residents that live there don’t feel safe after dark.
Safest Neighborhoods in Cleveland
Like all cities, there are many safe neighborhoods in Cleveland:
Kamm’s Corner
Kamm’s corner is one of the safest neighborhoods in Cleveland with its crime rate being 31% lower than Cleveland’s average. This Swiss-inspired area is located on the west side of Cleveland. The neighborhood holds plenty of family-friendly events and farmers’ markets throughout the year. You can also find a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
Tremont
Another safe area in Cleveland is Tremont, which is located along the Towpath Trail and just a few minutes from Downtown Cleveland. The neighborhood is filled with artsy, millennial shops and restaurants. The edgy houses are restored Victorian homes in the area that are owned by locals. See more about Tremont on its visitors’ site.
Ohio City-West Side
Downtowns come with their own dangers, but the west city of Ohio City is known to be very safe. With trendy and young bars, restaurants, and entertainment, the area is filled with young professionals.
Read this blog for more tips and information about living in Cleveland.
Cleveland Safety Tips – How to Avoid Crime in Cleveland
The following tips will help you navigate the city as safely as possible:
- Living next to police stations can help you feel more secure. Also, the areas around the districts give a sense of security knowing the police are very close by. There are 5 police districts in Cleveland. Check them out here.
- At night, stay away from Wade Park. Although during the day it is safe, since it is isolated, it makes it a dangerous place to be at night. It is known for having a high crime rate with drug exchanges after dark.
- Try to stay away from the Flats. What used to be a booming industrial center is now mostly abandoned buildings with high crime rates. There are many homeless people that take shelter in abandoned buildings.
- Over the last year, a homeless encampment has evolved under the Detroit-Superior Bridge, which could bring more crime to the area. Proceed with caution if you need to walk through the area.
Cleveland Police Departments
The competent police departments in Cleveland work hard to improve safety for everyone.
- Total Officers – 1,560 officers. There are 4.1 officers per 1,000 people.
- History of Police Department – founded in 1866 under the Metropolitan Police Act by the Ohio General Assembly. It was then reorganized in 1871 when taxes were allowed to be levied to pay for police services. Finally, in 1903, it was classified as a division of the Department of Safety by the Director of Public Safety.
- Cleveland Police Mission – ‘Enhance the quality of life, strengthen our neighborhoods and deliver superior services with professionalism, respect, integrity, dedication and excellence by working in partnership with our neighborhoods and community.’
- Police Department Divisions – The highest priority of the Police Department is public safety. To achieve this, the division is organized into three departments: Administrative Operations, Field Operations, and Homeland Special Operations.
- Police Commissioner – Calvin D. Williams
- Find out more about City police reports and other information at the City of Cleveland Ohio.
- To contact the department for non-emergencies, call 216-621-1234. For the addresses and contact information for the five Police Districts, click here.
Cleveland Crime Rate FAQ
What areas to avoid in Cleveland?
- Wade Park
- The Flats
- Clark-Fulton
- Superior
- Little Italy
Where is the police headquarters located?
- 1300 Ontario St.Cleveland, Ohio 44112
- You can also find the addresses of all five police districts here
Where can I find information about the Cleveland Police Department?
The Cleveland Police Department.
Moving to Cleveland?
Cleveland is a great city filled with fun shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It is, however, important to know the dangers of the city before deciding where to move. As long as you take precautions and explore the safer areas of the city, you’ll grow to love an amazing city. Give us a call at 216-641-6677 for help moving to Cleveland – our team is experienced in the area and can have you settled quickly and without stress!
