Canton, Ohio, formerly peaceful, has garnered negative attention. This city was just voted fourth most hazardous in the state, a surprising change that warrants further investigation.
Worrying Statistics
Despite its small size, Canton has some of the highest violent crime rates in the state. Rape, murder, non-negligent manslaughter, armed robbery, and aggravated violence are common. Canton, with around 70,000 residents, reported 1,398 violent crimes and 5,292 property crimes in 2019.
Canton Crime Data
Most Canton crimes fall into these categories, according to data available of the past decade.
Larceny: Canton’s most recorded property crime was 2,429 in 2019, totaling 3,463 incidences per 100,000 residents—higher than the national rate of 1,550.
Burglary: In 2019, Canton had 962 burglaries, or 1,372 per 100,000 people, compared to 341 per 100,000 nationally.
Vehicle Theft: Canton had 321 motor vehicle theft cases in 2019, compared to 220 nationally.
Assault: Aggravated assault is Canton’s most prevalent violent crime, with 652 reported incidences in 2019, or 930 per 100,000 population, greatly above the national average of 250.
Robbery: In 2019, Canton had 188 robberies, 268 per 100,000, compared to the national rate of 82.
Compared to National Averages
Canton has a far higher violent crime rate than the nation:
Compared to the national rate of 294 per 100,000, Canton had 1,050.2 violent crimes per 100,000 in 2019. Canton’s violent crime rate rose to 1,180 per 100,000 in 2020, emphasizing the city’s problem.
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Last Decade Crime Trends
Crime in Canton has fluctuated during the past five years:
- Canton had 1,500 crimes per 100,000 in 2017.
- The rate dropped to 1,273 in 2018 but climbed to 1,559 in 2019.
- In 2020, it dropped to 1,218, but in 2021, it rose to 1,205 incidences per 100,000.
Conclusion
The dramatic rise in crime in Canton is a wake-up call for comprehensive answers. A safer future requires addressing economic inequality, investing in community services, and supporting law enforcement. Canton shows that every town can adapt, especially in uncertain times. Canton’s fate depends on whether residents can unite to restore safety or continue down a perilous road.