Bowling Green ranked as one of the safest college towns in America based on FBI statistics and other safety factors

With half of the population coming from BGSU students, Bowling Green ranks No. 2 in Ohio in Research.com's "50 safest college towns in America 2024"

By Branden Ferguson

Home to Bowling Green State University, the city of Bowling Green recently was ranked among the safest college towns in Ohio and the nation.

Using the latest FBI crime statistics on violent and property crime and taking into consideration factors including community outreach programs, security practices and town safety measures, Research.com recognized Bowling Green as the No. 2 safest college town in Ohio in its "50 safest college towns in America in 2024" rankings.  

BGSU Police Chief Mike Campbell emphasized the shared goals between the University community and the city of Bowling Green in creating and maintaining a safe environment.

"Our partnerships with the community are an essential focus and are forged via community policing," said Campbell. "Efforts to ensure a safe, secure and orderly campus contribute to a positive learning environment where students can focus on their education and experience."

The recent ranking came as no surprise to BGSU senior Kailee Ransom and her parents.

"As an only child, my parents wanted to make sure I was not only getting a good education but that I was also going to be safe while attending school," said Kailee. "Feeling safe as a student allowed me to focus more on academics and take full advantage of my student experience."

Kailee's parents, Tara and Jim Ransom, recalled visiting multiple colleges with their daughter. While Kailee researched academics and student experience, their primary focus was safety and security.

"We visited BGSU several times while Kailee was in high school," said Tara Ransom. "Each time we visited campus, we walked and drove around looking at lighting, safety crosswalks and emergency phones. Online, we looked at safety resources available to students, shuttles, campus escort services and dorm security."

"Every time we visited BGSU, we saw so many students out and about enjoying campus, which signaled to us how comfortable students felt," added Jim Ransom.

The BGSU Police Department is the only Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies — or CALEA — accredited college or university-affiliated agency in northwestern Ohio, highlighting a dedication to professional conduct and compliance by officers, detectives and dispatchers.

Considered the gold standard for law enforcement accreditation, CALEA certification aims to improve the delivery and offering of public safety services by maintaining a body of professional standards that guide the administration of accredited programs.

For the Ransom family, the close-knit BGSU community, strong academic and student experience and the University's commitment to safety were among their top deciding factors.

"Knowing Kailee likes to explore her environment, it was important that she could walk safely from campus to town," said Jim Ransom. "We couldn't be more happy with Bowling Green and how much the city and BGSU work together to create such great community events."

According to Research.com's rankings, crime rates are on a downward trend over the past 15 years, falling 32% from 2001 to 2016. From 2019 to 2020, the FBI reported that, on average, the violent crime rate among the 50 safest college towns in the U.S. remained constant at 0.9 incidents for every 1,000 people. In Bowling Green, where BGSU students make up half the population, the violent crime rate was only 0.7.  

"A strong focus on the partnerships with students, faculty and staff helps to provide quality police services, reduce fear of crime and promote problem-solving," Campbell said. "Partnerships are simultaneously a philosophy, management style and organizational strategy that promotes proactive problem solving and relationships between the police and the community that address the causes of crime and other campus and community issues."