Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Athens, OH has a Safety Score of 72/100 — safer than 72% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,059.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #819 of 2,957 US cities and #60 of 171 in Ohio.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Athens, Ohio Safe?
Athens, Ohio, home to Ohio University, is nestled in the Appalachian foothills. This college town, with a population around 25,000, boasts a rich history, once serving as a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Athens has a safety score of 72/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,059.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Athens ranks #60 out of 171 cities in Ohio and #819 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 72nd percentile for safety — safer than 72% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Athens are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Athens's total crime rate decreased by 44.4%, with violent crime declining 39.8%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Athens Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 24 | 95.6 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 3 | 12.0 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 4 | 15.9 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 17 | 67.7 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 242 | 964.0 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 22 | 87.6 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 204 | 812.6 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 16 | 63.7 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Athens vs Ohio Average
How does Athens's crime rate compare to the Ohio state average?
| Metric | Athens | Ohio Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 95.6 | 438.2 | -78.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 964.0 | 2,137.3 | -54.9% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.9 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,059.6 | 2,575.5 | -58.9% |
Athens Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Athens, Ohio.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25,104 | 1,059.6 | 95.6 | 964.0 |
| 2023 | 19,516 | 1,906.1 | 158.8 | 1,747.3 |
| 2022 | 24,220 | 2,469.0 | 189.9 | 2,279.1 |
| 2021 | 24,638 | 2,256.7 | 117.7 | 2,139.0 |
| 2020 | 24,570 | 2,356.5 | 93.6 | 2,262.9 |
| 2019 | 24,745 | 1,673.1 | 64.7 | 1,608.4 |
Athens Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Athens and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: Ohio crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athens, Ohio safe?
Athens has a safety score of 72/100, meaning it has less crime than about 72% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,059.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Athens is relatively safe.
What is the crime rate in Athens, Ohio?
According to FBI data for 2024, Athens has a violent crime rate of 95.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 964.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Athens compare to the national average?
Athens's total crime rate of 1,059.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 25,104 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Athens?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Athens are larceny-theft (204 reported incidents) and burglary (22 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 10.1x in the city.
Is Athens safe to visit?
Like any city, Athens has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 72/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.