Ohio : Safety by City
- Akron
- Ashtabula
- Canton
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Cuyahoga Falls
- Dayton
- Defiance
- Elyria
- Findlay
- Kettering
- Logan
- Lorain
- Mansfield
- Medina
- Middletown
- Parma
- Port Clinton
- Put-in-Bay
- Sandusky
- Tiffin
- Toledo
- Vandalia
- Westerville
- Yellow Springs
- Youngstown
- Zanesville
Tiffin, Ohio, is a vibrant Midwestern city that captivates visitors with its rich history and welcoming atmosphere.
Located in Seneca County, this community is a blend of old-world charm and modern vitality.
It is less than an hour to the shores of Lake Erie.
Tiffin’s history is palpable as you stroll through its downtown streets, with well-preserved historic buildings showcasing intricate architecture.
The city’s industrial heritage is still celebrated, and it’s evident in places like the Tiffin Glass Museum, a testament to the once-thriving glass industry that defined the region.
The city’s commitment to education is another notable aspect, with Heidelberg University and Tiffin University calling Tiffin home.
These institutions infuse the area with a youthful energy and cultural diversity, making it a melting pot of ideas and innovation.
You also get plenty of riverfront views along the Sandusky River that cuts through the heart of the city.
On the surface, Tiffin looks like a lot like many standard Midwestern towns.
We’re going to explore the unique things to do here and assure you that Tiffin is a safe place to visit.
Warnings & Dangers in Tiffin
OVERALL RISK: LOW
There's a low risk here, with crime rates well below average and plenty of community-oriented things to do. It's not the most exciting city, but it's a great place for a family vacation.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Seneca-Crawford Area Transportation (SCAT) is the public bus system here. I recommend that you review the routes before relying on this. Taxis and rideshares will be easy to find. Your best investment is in a rental car so you can explore the region. There are several scenic routes near Tiffin.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
The risk is low, with just three pickpockets or purse snatchings over the past five years. You should still use standard cautions, but this isn't a crime problem in Tiffin.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
The Midwest is known for its volatile weather that can change quickly. Spring brings thunderstorms and tornadoes, with damaging winds, heavy rain, and intense lightning. Winters can be a mix of dangerously cold weather, snow storms, blizzards and ice storms. As long as you stay weather-aware, you won't be caught off guard. However, it's still a medium risk.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
The city hasn't had more than four robberies in a year since 2015, giving it another low risk. It's still not low enough to let your guard down.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
This is another low-risk with a small town in a more remote area of Ohio. Cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati would have a higher risk.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Given that this town of 18,000 people is highly residential and not a big tourist destination, most of the scams are typical residential scams. You can always check the police department, sheriff's office, Better Business Bureau, and Attorney General's office for current scams before you go. The risk is low.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Nothing in the crime statistics or recent news reports suggests Tiffin has a higher risk for women. The risk stays low, and it's still important to use common sense and standard safety practices, even with a low crime rate.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Tiffin's tap water has a low risk as there are no active violations. In fact, the National Center for Water Quality Research is located in Tiffin at Heidelberg University, offering a great opportunity for water testing more often.
Safest Places to Visit in Tiffin
The name of the tourism website is Destination Seneca County, but there is a section dedicated to Tiffin.
You can download the Seneca County Community Guide on the website without having to give personal contact information.
That’s always a plus when I’m traveling!
Seneca County is just 30 miles wide and 20 miles long, so even if an attraction is outside of Tiffin but in the county, it’s still worth considering if it piques your interest.
Discover the city’s glassmaking heritage at the Tiffin Glass Museum, where you can admire an extensive collection of glass art and learn about Tiffin’s history in the glass industry.
Some pieces are for sale and look for scheduled events to heighten the experience.
Take a leisurely stroll through the historic downtown area, where you can admire the well-preserved architecture and explore unique shops, boutiques, and art galleries.
It’s worth the ticket price to see a show at The Ritz Theatre, which had its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s but is not renovated for a new generation of guests.
The Seneca County Museum provides insights into the county’s history through exhibits and artifacts and is housed in an 1853 home that first belonged to Tiffin’s first millionaire.
Explore the picturesque campus of Heidelberg University, known for its beautiful architecture and serene environment.
You can take a self-guided tour and appreciate the academic atmosphere.
The?American Civil War Museum of Ohio in Tiffin has many exhibits and artifacts from Ohio’s role in the Civil War.
You can watch a short documentary about the war before walking through the galleries.
Tours are self-guided.
Tiffin has plenty of outdoor parks, but I’d recommend looking for places that are state parks or natural preserves, as those offer more space and better activities than a traditional community park.
Some great options are:
- Howard Collier State Nature Preserve
- Clinton Nature Preserve
- Mercy Community Nature Preserve
- Steyer Nature Preserve
- Tiffin University Nature Preserve
- Zimmerman Nature Preserve
Tiffin also has many statues, historical markers, and murals that are detailed on the tourism website.
They would make a nice addition on the way to different attractions.
Places to Avoid in Tiffin
Visitors don’t need to worry about booking a hotel room in a bad part of town or walking through dangerous neighborhoods.
Those places don’t exist in Tiffin.
You want to avoid having high demands for a hotel in Tiffin, as there aren’t that many options.
If you need to look elsewhere, there are more hotels 35 minutes west in Findlay.
Winter guests should know that in the event of a major storm, you’ll be stuck in Tiffin until the roads can get clear.
There aren’t a lot of nearby towns where you could explore.
Be sure to stock up on supplies like water, batteries, and non-refrigerated snacks in case that happens.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Tiffin
- Tiffin does have its own police department. To contact them with specific questions, email?chiefofpolice@tiffinohio.gov or call (419)447-2323. They are also on Facebook @TiffinPD.
- Check out the Seneca County Emergency Management Agency’s new website for a list of hazards and preparation guides. While you’re there, sign up for WENS alerts to get public safety and weather notifications through email, text messages, or phone calls.
- The weather forecast in Tiffin comes out of the National Weather Service in Cleveland, but you can enter the zip code to get a more specific forecast. You can also search for Findlay Airport (KFDY), as that’s where the weather station is closest to Tiffin.
- Anglers are required to have a license, even out-of-state guests, from the Ohio Department of Fish & Game. Please review the rules and requirements before making a purchase. No proof of fishing experience is required.
- Parking in downtown Tiffin comes with different time limits. There’s a map on the Downtown Tiffin organization’s website. Three lots have a 24-hour time limit but will require a little more walking. The closest lots have a two-hour minimum.
- You will be sharing the road at times with golf carts, known as “under-speed vehicles.” The police department’s website details the rules and regulations. You are most likely to see them on streets where the speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less.
- You can review the latest annual report on the police department’s website. This will detail the most recent crime statistics, safety steps, and successes from the previous calendar year.
- If more than two inches of snow is in the forecast, street parking will be banned to allow snow plows to get through. Any cars parked on the street can be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense.
- You can use Ohgo’s website and app to check road conditions throughout Seneca County and the state. This is a wonderful tool as it shows real-time traffic, construction zones, weather conditions, and live cameras at hundreds of locations.
- When major events are happening downtown, roads might be closed off to vehicle traffic. The city does a great job of detailing the closures and detours to find a place to park. You can follow them on Facebook @CityofTiffin.
So... How Safe Is Tiffin Really?
Tiffin is a safe city, according to 2022 crime data.
The violent crime rate is 30% lower than the state average and 48% lower than the national average.
Every violent crime over the past five years has involved people who know each other.
There were no random acts of violence against strangers.
In addition, 65% of violent crimes happened in private homes.
The only red flag on that topic is that before 2022, Tiffin hadn’t seen a year with even 20 violent crimes since 2014.
In 2018, there were just two reports of violent crime.
However, 2022 brought 37 violent crimes, which is a 32% increase from the next highest year.
It would take several years of that kind of incremental increase to raise the risk rating here, but it definitely is something to keep an eye on.
Theft rates are slightly higher than the national average, but a large chunk of those are put into a category called “Other Theft.”
I can tell you that 15% of thefts in 2022 involved car break-ins or car accessory thefts.
Ohio has been dealing with a rash of stolen cars for a few years now, but that trend hasn’t hit Tiffin.
Tiffin is a place where common sense goes a long way.
People here are more likely to help you than pose a threat, but you should always use general caution when meeting new people.
How Does Tiffin Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Tiffin | 78 |
| Deadwood | 80 |
| Sturgis | 80 |
| Pierre | 81 |
| Spearfish | 80 |
| Hill City | 83 |
| Sevierville | 73 |
| Temuco (Chile) | 31 |
| Puno (Peru) | 45 |
| Nara (Japan) | 88 |
| Kanazawa (Japan) | 83 |
| Hammamet (Tunisia) | 78 |
| Sidi Bou Said (Tunisia) | 42 |
Useful Information
Visas
A visa or visa waiver is necessary for international visitors to enter the country. The U.S. State Department website is your go-to resource for determining your eligibility for a visa waiver. You can also use the Visa Wizard module on their site for assistance. If you are attending a university in Tiffin, you will need a student visa.
Currency
You can only use the U.S. Dollar here and don't wait until you're in the small town of Tiffin to get cash. You should be able to get the lowest fees at your home bank. If you are flying into an international airport, those usually have currency exchange options as well. Some ATMs offer currency conversion with a debit card.
Weather
You'll get a mix of all four seasons throughout the year, but fall and spring can sometimes switch seasons in a day. Because of that, bring some different layers of clothing to adapt. Winters will be cold with accessories and an insulated coat needed. There isn't always snow on the ground, so check the forecast before you pack snow boots. Summers are hot and humid, and you'll want clothes that can handle a lot of sweat. Bug spray and sunscreen are also needed.
Airports
You can get to Cleveland's airport in less than two hours and Columbus's airport in 90 minutes. Cleveland is the larger option and the one I'd recommend. You can also fly out of Toledo, which is an hour northwest.
Travel Insurance
For vacations to places prone to weather-related travel issues, travel insurance is always a smart choice. Don't forget about medical coverage as well if your health plan isn't valid in the US. It's also wise to verify rental car insurance will protect you fully in case of any accidents.
Tiffin Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
1 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 22 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 17 | 10 | 3 |
| Low °C |
-8 | -7 | -2 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 6 | 1 | -5 |
| High °F |
34 | 36 | 48 | 61 | 72 | 81 | 84 | 82 | 75 | 63 | 50 | 37 |
| Low °F |
18 | 19 | 28 | 39 | 50 | 59 | 63 | 61 | 54 | 43 | 34 | 23 |
Ohio - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Akron | 49 |
| Ashtabula | 45 |
| Canton | 32 |
| Cincinnati | 48 |
| Cleveland | 55 |
| Columbus | 57 |
| Cuyahoga Falls | 80 |
| Dayton | 40 |
| Defiance | 75 |
| Elyria | 74 |
| Findlay | 78 |
| Kettering | 71 |
| Logan | 78 |
| Lorain | 67 |
| Mansfield | 62 |
| Medina | 71 |
| Middletown | 76 |
| Parma | 74 |
| Port Clinton | 76 |
| Put-in-Bay | 77 |
| Sandusky | 76 |
| Tiffin | 78 |
| Toledo | 69 |
| Vandalia | 76 |
| Westerville | 77 |
| Yellow Springs | 74 |
| Youngstown | 52 |
| Zanesville | 68 |
Tiffin has always felt like a safe town to me. It’s great to see the crime rates staying low, but we should still keep an eye on minor property crimes like break-ins, which seem to happen every now and then.
As a business owner in Tiffin, I’m glad to see the city’s crime rates are manageable. The low crime is great for small businesses and local tourism, but it’s important we stay proactive with community programs to keep it this way.