Portage County Crime & Safety

Portage County, Ohio

Safety Score

36/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1493.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

132.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1360.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

36/100

Higher = safer

State avg 51/100

State Safety Rank

#63

of 88 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Portage County, Ohio

Portage County Balances Safety and Growth

Portage County reports a safety score of 97.6, nearly matching the national standard. Its crime rate of 1493.0 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the 2,385.5 national average.

Matching the Ohio Safety Benchmark

Portage County’s 97.6 safety score is almost identical to the Ohio state average of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 1493.0 per 100K slightly exceeds the state average of 1412.3.

Steady Safety in Northeast Ohio

With 14 agencies reporting, Portage maintains a consistent safety profile compared to nearby counties. It experiences roughly 350 fewer crimes per 100K than neighboring Pickaway.

Focusing on Local Property Crimes

Violent crime in Portage is low at 132.7 per 100K, well under the state average of 180.9. Property crime accounts for 1360.3 incidents, representing the primary concern for local residents.

Monitor Your Property Effectively

Because property crime represents over 90% of local reports, smart security is essential. Investing in alarm systems can help deter opportunistic theft in residential areas.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Portage County, OH?

Portage County has a total crime rate of 1493.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (132.7 per 100K) and property crimes (1360.3 per 100K).

Is Portage County, OH safe?

Portage County has a safety score of 36/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #63 out of 88 counties in Ohio for safety (1 = safest).

How does Portage County crime compare to the Ohio average?

Portage County’s 97.6 safety score is almost identical to the Ohio state average of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 1493.0 per 100K slightly exceeds the state average of 1412.3.

What types of crime are most common in Portage County?

Violent crime in Portage is low at 132.7 per 100K, well under the state average of 180.9. Property crime accounts for 1360.3 incidents, representing the primary concern for local residents.

How is crime data measured and reported for Portage County?

Crime data for Portage County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Portage County?

Portage County has a safety score of 36/100, which is below the Ohio average of 51/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.