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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Portsmouth, OH has a Safety Score of 5/100 — higher crime than 95% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,572.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,816 of 2,971 US cities and #165 of 172 in Ohio.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Portsmouth, Ohio Safe?
Portsmouth, Ohio, at the confluence of the Ohio and Scioto Rivers, was once a bustling canal town. Its historic murals depict a rich past, though today it faces economic challenges common to many Rust Belt communities.
Portsmouth has a safety score of 5/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,572.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Portsmouth ranks #165 out of 172 cities in Ohio and #2816 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 5th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 95% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Portsmouth is murder, at 17.3 per 100K — 2.8x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.6x the national rate.
Year over year, Portsmouth's total crime rate decreased by 11%, with violent crime declining 7.1%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Portsmouth Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 124 | 715.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 3 | 17.3 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 15 | 86.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 9 | 51.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 97 | 559.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 669 | 3,857.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 118 | 680.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 509 | 2,934.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 42 | 242.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Portsmouth vs Ohio Average
How does Portsmouth's crime rate compare to the Ohio state average?
| Metric | Portsmouth | Ohio Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 715.0 | 437.5 | +63.4% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,857.5 | 2,133.6 | +80.8% |
| Murder Rate | 17.3 | 7.8 | +120.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,572.5 | 2,571.1 | +77.8% |
Portsmouth Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Portsmouth, Ohio.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17,343 | 4,572.5 | 715.0 | 3,857.5 |
| 2023 | 17,285 | 5,137.4 | 769.5 | 4,368.0 |
| 2022 | 17,896 | 3,023.0 | 413.5 | 2,609.5 |
| 2021 | 19,702 | 4,771.1 | 553.2 | 4,217.9 |
| 2020 | 20,151 | 5,374.4 | 704.7 | 4,669.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portsmouth, Ohio safe?
Portsmouth has a safety score of 5/100, meaning it has less crime than about 5% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,572.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Portsmouth is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Portsmouth, Ohio?
According to FBI data for 2024, Portsmouth has a violent crime rate of 715.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,857.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does Portsmouth compare to the national average?
Portsmouth's total crime rate of 4,572.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 17,343 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Portsmouth?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Portsmouth include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Portsmouth safe to visit?
Like any city, Portsmouth has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 5/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.