Top 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Dayton Ohio 2026

Ohio is a rather crazy place to live; from Neo Nazis to drunken brawls, this is one place where such types can be found in abundance. The worst neighborhoods in Dayton, Ohio are some of the most unpredictable of places; where people run away from preachers, but run towards fights.

These are places with high concentrations of young people with more bravery than sense; and also with little economic opportunities to help them develop their potentials.

For the record; Dayton has a crime rate of 56 incidents per 1,000 residents, giving residents a 1 in 18 chance of becoming a crime victim—one of the highest rates in America.

Top 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Dayton Ohio

1. Miami Chapel

Miami Chapel has been a persistent hot spot for gun violence for more than 25 years, according to a Dayton Police Department analysis of homicides and felonious assaults from 1999 to 2024 . The neighborhood is home to the DeSoto Bass Courts public housing complex, which has been identified as a gun violence hotspot.

Located in west Dayton, Miami Chapel experiences high poverty rates, housing vacancy, and lower levels of educational attainment and employment than the city overall. Violent crime here is estimated at 1,828 crimes per 100,000 residents—about 37% more than Dayton’s citywide average. Police data confirms that the Miami Chapel area around the North Main Street corridor has seen gun violence concentrated for decades.

2. Santa Clara

Santa Clara is another west Dayton neighborhood that has been a gun violence hot spot for over a quarter century. The Santa Clara area around the North Main Street corridor has been notably clustered with firearm-related homicides and felonious assaults, according to police data spanning 26 years.

Neighborhood Association President Gloria White says the area has many of the same problems as other areas—blight, trash, squatters, and irresponsible property owners—but “except possibly to a greater extent”. While White expressed more concern about food insecurity than being shot, residents acknowledge that gun violence is a persistent reality in the neighborhood.

3. North Riverdale

North Riverdale is among the neighborhoods with the highest number of gun crimes, according to a Dayton Daily News analysis of police data . Residents on Pointview Avenue report hearing gunshots “practically every other night” from all directions around their homes. One resident recently installed a Ring camera because of break-in concerns and has started carrying a gun for protection.

A 17-year-old was shot in the neighborhood while trying to buy drugs in an abandoned home, and a man was shot in the leg nearby months later . One resident acknowledged that gun violence is “a fact of life in Dayton, just as it is in other large, poor urban areas”.

4. Residence Park

Residence Park is one of the west Dayton neighborhoods with the most violent gun crimes last year, according to police data. Neighborhood Association President Sharon Mitchell says some shootings in Residence Park were drug-related, and criminals in the drug trade try to operate in areas where they think they can get away with illegal activities.

Mitchell encourages neighbors to “stick together,” watch out for each other, and report suspicious activities and crime. She says that if neighbors are constantly watching and looking around, criminals are less likely to come onto the street.

5. Highview Hills

Highview Hills ranks as the worst neighborhood in Dayton according to HomeSnacks’ 2023 analysis, which examined 63 neighborhoods based on crime, unemployment, income, population density, and home values . With a population of just 521 residents, the neighborhood has a violent crime rate of 1,475 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 5,301 per 100,000 residents.

The median home value is just $39,500, and the median household income is $17,984—among the lowest in the city . These socioeconomic factors contribute to Highview Hills’ status as one of Dayton’s most dangerous and disadvantaged neighborhoods.

6. Lakeview

Lakeview is another neighborhood with alarmingly high crime rates. HomeSnacks ranks it among the worst in Dayton, with a violent crime rate of 1,574 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 6,153 per 100,000.

The neighborhood has a median home value of just $5,850—the lowest on the list—and a median household income of $16,990, also the worst among ranked neighborhoods . Lakeview’s extreme poverty and lack of economic opportunity create conditions in which crime thrives.

7. Edgemont

Edgemont appears on virtually every list of Dayton’s most dangerous neighborhoods. It is identified by the Dayton Daily News as one of the west Dayton neighborhoods with the most violent gun crimes , and AreaVibes reports a violent crime rate of 1,905 per 100,000 residents—42% more than the city’s overall rate. With a population of just 307, Edgemont’s elevated crime statistics are particularly stark . Like other west Dayton neighborhoods, it bears a disproportionate share of the city’s violence.

8. McCook Field

McCook Field has a violent crime rate of 1,748 per 100,000 residents and property crime of 6,133 per 100,000. The neighborhood has a median home value of $12,350—the second-lowest among neighborhoods on this list—and a median household income of $24,773. HomeSnacks ranks McCook Field as the fifth-most dangerous neighborhood in Dayton . Nextdoor crime reports indicate that the neighborhood has experienced issues with car theft, with stolen vehicles often recovered and returned to owners.

9. Westwood

Westwood is identified by the Dayton Daily News investigation as one of the neighborhoods with the most violent gun crimes . With a violent crime rate of 1,890 per 100,000—41% more than the city average—Westwood is among the most dangerous neighborhoods in Dayton . Its population of 1,750 residents experiences elevated rates of shootings and other violent offenses . Like its neighbors, Westwood faces challenges related to poverty and housing vacancy, with limited economic opportunities contributing to the cycle of violence .

10. Roosevelt

Roosevelt rounds out the list of Dayton’s worst neighborhoods with a violent crime rate of 1,678 per 100,000 residents and property crime of 5,906 per 100,000. The neighborhood has a median home value of $26,500 and median household income of $17,014. HomeSnacks ranks Roosevelt as the fourth-most dangerous neighborhood in Dayton. The combination of low property values, minimal income, and elevated crime rates makes Roosevelt one of the city’s most distressed communities.

Comparison Table

Rank	Neighborhood	Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)	Key Challenge
1	Miami Chapel	1,828	25+ year gun violence hot spot; DeSoto Bass Courts public housing
2	Santa Clara	N/A	Historic gun violence concentration; North Main Street corridor
3	North Riverdale	N/A	Frequent shootings; drug‑related crime
4	Residence Park	N/A	Drug‑related shootings; west Dayton gun violence hot spot
5	Highview Hills	1,475	Extreme poverty; low home values ($39,500)
6	Lakeview	1,574	Lowest home value ($5,850); highest property crime (6,153)
7	Edgemont	1,905	42% more violent crime than city average
8	McCook Field	1,748	Second‑lowest home value ($12,350); car theft issues
9	Westwood	1,890	41% more crime than city average
10	Roosevelt	1,678	Low income; elevated crime rates

## Tips For Understanding Dayton’s Crime Landscape

– **Violence is Concentrated in West and Northwest Dayton**: Four out of five shootings and violent gun crimes with injuries occur in west and northwest Dayton . About 79% of violent gun crimes with injuries last year took place in these two geographic areas . If you are looking for safer areas in Dayton, focus on the northeast and southeast parts of the city.

– **Crime and Poverty Are Deeply Interconnected**: Studies show historic housing discrimination, racism, segregation, and concentrated disadvantage are associated with gun violence and deaths . Neighborhoods with the most violent gun crimes are predominantly Black and tend to have higher poverty and housing vacancy rates and lower levels of educational attainment and employment than the city overall . Police Chief Kamran Afzal noted, “Bill Clinton said a long time ago, ‘It’s the economy, stupid.’ That hasn’t changed” .

– **Gun Violence Is a Persistent Challenge**: Despite citywide efforts, Dayton continues to face a significant gun violence problem. In 2024, there were about 135 incidents of violent gun crime with injuries citywide . Police data shows that certain neighborhoods—particularly Miami Chapel, Santa Clara, and the Summit Square apartment complex—have been gun violence hot spots for more than 25 years .

– **Community Engagement Matters**: In Residence Park, neighborhood leaders emphasize that looking out for each other and reporting suspicious activity can help reduce crime . Police Chief Kamran Afzal has noted that gun violence is “not just a police issue—it’s a community issue, it’s a municipality issue” .

– **Use Official Data**: For current crime data, the Dayton Police Department publishes crime maps and data dashboards. Cross-reference multiple sources, including NeighborhoodScout’s FBI-based crime data , for the most accurate picture of a specific neighborhood.

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## Conclusion

Dayton’s most dangerous neighborhoods are concentrated in the city’s west and northwest, where a quarter-century of concentrated violence, poverty, and disinvestment has created conditions that continue to challenge residents and leaders alike. Miami Chapel, Santa Clara, and North Riverdale have been plagued by gun violence for decades, and residents describe hearing gunshots “all the time” . While the city’s overall crime rate is among the highest in America , community leaders emphasize that change is possible through neighbor-to-neighbor engagement and a renewed focus on economic opportunity . For those considering a move to Dayton, focusing on the northeast and southeast areas—where crime rates are lower—provides the best foundation for a secure living environment. But as residents of North Riverdale can attest, even in the most challenging neighborhoods, good people remain committed to their communities, hoping for a safer future while working to make it a reality .

Closing

The worst neighborhoods in Dayton seem to be the ones with small populations; perhaps it is the run down nature of these neighborhoods that cause them to have small numbers, or perhaps it is the small numbers that attract criminals. In any case, these are places to stay sharp when visiting.