Is Piqua Safe, Pros and cons of living in Piqua
Piqua, Ohio, offers a blend of small-town charm and accessible amenities, making it a potential destination for those seeking a change of pace. This community in Miami County provides a unique living experience shaped by its local economy, natural environment, and social fabric. Understanding the various facets of life in Piqua is crucial for anyone considering a move to this Midwestern city.
The city’s demographic makeup, economic landscape, and climate all contribute to its overall character. Piqua’s population is predominantly White, with a median age that suggests a balanced community. Its economic drivers include manufacturing and various service industries, influencing employment opportunities and the cost of living for its residents.
Is it Safe to Live in Piqua?
Crime Rates
Piqua experiences a total crime rate that is higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, the city’s crime rate is 66% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of being a victim of crime in Piqua is 1 in 29 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Within Ohio, more than 97% of communities have a lower crime rate than Piqua (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
Violent crime in Piqua is reported at a rate of 2.632 per 1,000 residents (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The chance of being a victim of violent crime is 1 in 192 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crime in Piqua occurs at a rate of 13.37 per 1,000 residents (as reported by CrimeGrade.org), with a chance of victimization at 1 in 34 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
Neighborhood Safety
Safety can vary significantly by neighborhood within Piqua. Residents generally consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Your chance of being a victim of crime in Piqua varies by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 30 in the east neighborhoods to 1 in 72 in the northwest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).
The central parts of Piqua see the most crime incidents, approximately 133 per year, while the southeast part of the city has the fewest, with about 28 crimes annually (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The city’s overall crime rate is graded as C+ by CrimeGrade.org, indicating it is about the same as the average U.S. city.
Cost of Living in Piqua
Housing Expenses
Piqua’s housing expenses are 5% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). The median home value in Piqua is approximately $110,100 (as reported by Kurby AI), which is significantly lower than the national average of $281,900 (as reported by Kurby AI). The median rent in Piqua is around $888 per month (as reported by Kurby AI), compared to the national average rent of $1,163 (as reported by Kurby AI).
Housing costs in Piqua are considered affordable, with median home values and rents substantially below national averages. This affordability extends to homeownership, with an 88.0% homeownership rate (as reported by Kurby AI), suggesting a strong market for buyers. The median listing price for homes in Piqua is $192.5K (as reported by realtor.com®).
Overall Affordability
Piqua’s overall cost of living is reported to be 10% lower than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com). However, it is 107% higher than Ohio’s state average (as reported by Salary.com). Food expenses are 17.2% below the national average (as reported by Salary.com), while energy, transportation, and healthcare costs are 16.1% lower (as reported by Salary.com).
The median household income in Piqua is approximately $63,657 (as reported by ZoomProspector), with household expenditures averaging $84,092 per year. The median income is $59,043 (as reported by Livability.com), and the median after-tax salary is $3519, which is enough to cover living expenses for 1.9 months (as reported by LivingCost.org).
Job Market and Economy
Major Employers
Piqua’s economy is supported by several major employers. Key industries include manufacturing and education, with companies like Hartzell Propeller and Evenflo being significant contributors (as reported by Wikipedia). Other notable employers include Walmart, Piqua City Schools, and Piqua Steel Company (as reported by Wikipedia).
Additional employers in the region include American Honda, Hobart Brothers, and ITW Food Equipment Group, primarily in manufacturing and logistics sectors (as reported by Miami County, OH – Official Website). Edison State Community College is also a significant employer, offering a range of educational programs (as reported by Zippia).
Employment and Unemployment
The unemployment rate in Piqua is currently 3.7% (as reported by Point2Homes). The employment rate in Piqua, OH, is 96.59% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). For comparison, pre-Covid, the unemployment rate within a 45-mile radius of Piqua was 4.6% (as reported by Miami County, OH – Official Website).
The average salary in Piqua is approximately $41,852 per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter), which equates to about $20.12 per hour. However, another source indicates the average salary for jobs in Piqua is $65,750 per year, or $32 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert).
Climate in Piqua
Temperatures
Piqua experiences a temperate climate with four distinct seasons (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Summers are warm and humid, with average high temperatures around 83°F in July (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The warm season typically lasts from late May to late September, with daily high temperatures averaging above 73°F.
Winters are cold and snowy, with average low temperatures around 20°F in January (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The cold season spans from December to early March, with daily high temperatures falling below 44°F. The average high temperature in January is 34 degrees, and the average high in July is 84 degrees (as reported by Grow Piqua Now).
Precipitation and Snowfall
The city receives nearly 40 inches of precipitation on average annually (as reported by Grow Piqua Now). The month with the most rain in Piqua is May, with an average of 3.6 inches, while February has the least, with about 1.4 inches (as reported by U.S. Climate Data). Annual snowfall is light, averaging around 16 inches, mostly occurring in January and March (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Winters are marked by seasonably cold weather and light snowfall, with the region receiving about 29 inches of snow each season (as reported by Grow Piqua Now). Average annual rainfall is 41 inches, and average annual snowfall is 20 inches (as reported by Livability.com).
Education in Piqua
School District Performance
Piqua City School District serves the city, operating multiple schools across different grade levels. The district’s average testing ranking is 5/10, placing it in the bottom 50% of public schools in Ohio (as reported by Public School Review). Piqua Junior High School shows strong performance in state tests, particularly in Science, Mathematics, and English Language Arts (as reported by Piqua, OH public school ratings and rankings).
Piqua High School has a strong four-year graduation rate of 93.1% (as reported by Piqua, OH public school ratings and rankings). However, all schools in the district exhibit high chronic absenteeism rates, around 30.2% (as reported by Piqua, OH public school ratings and rankings). The district’s dedication to academic progress is reflected in its 3.5-star rating, with all buildings improving their overall rating between 2024 and 2025 (as reported by Miami Valley Today).
Educational Opportunities
Piqua is home to Edison State Community College, established as Ohio’s first general and technical college in 1973 (as reported by Wikipedia). The Upper Valley Career Center also serves students with a focus on career and technical education (as reported by Piqua, OH public school ratings and rankings).
About 53.6% of Piqua’s population has attended high school, while 19.2% have pursued college studies, and 9.8% hold a bachelor’s degree (as reported by Point2Homes). The district is also focused on career-based learning, with enrollment in career paths through Piqua High School and the Upper Valley Career Center reaching record highs (as reported by Miami Valley Today).
Demographics of Piqua
Population and Age
Piqua has a population of 20,646 residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age in Piqua is 39.4 years, with 23.7% of residents under 18 and 17.8% aged 65 or older (as reported by Wikipedia). The population is distributed with approximately 18.6% being children under 15 and 27.5% falling into the 25 to 44 age group (as reported by Point2Homes).
Gender-wise, 50.8% of Piqua locals are male, and 49.2% are female (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age is 38.8 years overall, with 38.4 years for males and 39.4 years for females (as reported by Piqua Population 2026). For every 100 females, there are 103.3 males (as reported by Piqua Population 2026).
Racial and Ethnic Makeup
The racial makeup of Piqua is predominantly White. White residents constitute 90.9% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes), with smaller percentages for Black or African American (2.5%), and individuals identifying with two or more races (5.2%) (as reported by Point2Homes). Hispanic or Latino individuals make up 1.4% of the population (as reported by Wikipedia).
In Piqua, 99.2% of the population are U.S.-born citizens, while 0.7% have gained naturalized citizenship (as reported by Point2Homes). The racial composition includes 90.92% White, with smaller percentages for other racial groups (as reported by Piqua Population 2026).