F
180%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
448%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
129%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleDetroit/100k peopleMichigan/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime40,778n/a (estimate)6,5061,9982,324
Murder308n/a49.16.96.3
Rape712n/a113.664.840.0
Robbery1,398n/a223.136.666.1
Assault10,292n/a1,642.1352.7268.2
Violent crime12,710n/a (estimate)2,028461370
Burglary4,829n/a770.5214.3269.8
Theft13,794n/a2,200.91,055.31,401.9
Vehicle theft9,445n/a1,507.0267.2282.7
Property crime28,068n/a (estimate)4,4781,5371,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Detroit, MI

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Detroit crime rate is higher than the national average by 179.9%. Specifically, there were 12710 violent crimes in Detroit, equivalent to 2028 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 448.4%. Furthermore, Detroit recorded 28068 property crimes, amounting to 4478 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 129.1%.

Having a crime rate of 6506 per 100,000 residents, Detroit experiences a crime rate that is 179.93% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Detroit contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.

Detroit has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 2028 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Detroit falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 50 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.

While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Detroit ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Detroit, there were a total of 308 murders, translating to 49 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.

Detroit reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 4478 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 23 chance of falling victim to property crime in Detroit, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.

Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Detroit has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Detroit reported 9445 vehicle thefts, which equates to 1507 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Detroit is 1 in 67.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Detroit?

AreaVibes surveyed 619 local residents in Detroit to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 21% of people answered that there was very little crime in Detroit and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 79% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Detroit a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Detroit a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Detroit crime rate is 180% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 111.72 crimes per day - 34.82 violent crimes and 76.9 property crimes.

Has Crime in Detroit Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Detroit has increased by 9.9% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Detroit is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 12.4%, while property crime has increased by 24.2%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Detroit.

Detroit Neighborhood Crime Rates

The Detroit area comprises a diverse array of over 88 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Indian Village, Palmer Woods and Millenium Village which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Fishkorn, Carbon Works and Van Steuban exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different Detroit neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.

Potential Causes for Crime in Detroit

In Detroit, the poverty rate currently stands at 33.2%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Detroit crime rates.

Detroit reports an unemployment rate of 8.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Detroit crime rates.

In Detroit, 72.3% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

Detroit crime map



The Detroit crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Detroit as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Detroit crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Detroit crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Crime Quick Facts

  • Detroit crime rates are 180% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Detroit are 448% higher than the national average
  • In Detroit you have a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Detroit is safer than 1% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Detroit has increased by 18%

Detroit, MI Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Detroit (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Detroit, MI per 100,000 people. In Detroit, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 3.26 times more than the Michigan average and 2.80 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Detroit is 4.40 times more than the Michigan average and 5.48 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Detroit has a daily crime rate that is 2.91 times more than the Michigan average and 2.29 times more than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Detroit (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Detroit, Michigan compared to other areas of Michigan, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Detroit safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Detroit is safer than 0% of Michigan cities, and 1% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in Michigan, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Detroit. At this time, Detroit sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Detroit

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Detroit is 1 in 50
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Detroit is 1 in 23
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Detroit is 1 in 16
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Detroit? In Detroit, you have a 1 in 50 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 23. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Detroit, MI is 1 in 16.

        Year Over Year Crime In Detroit (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Detroit, Michigan (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Detroit has decreased by 6%, the amount of property crime in Detroit has increased by 33%, and the total amount of crime in Detroit has increased by 18% year over year.

        Detroit police department

        Item Detroit Michigan National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)2,88310,515558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents4.12.13.3
        There are a total of 2,883 Detroit police officers. This results in 4.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 97.2% greater than the Michigan average and 25.4% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Michigan

        State Total offenders Michigan /100K National /100K
        Michigan40,460414266
        There are a total of 40,460 sex offenders in Michigan. This yields a total of 414 sex offenders in Michigan per 100,000 residents which is 56% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Bingham Farms, MI1,53965216280
        Village of Grosse Pointe Shores, MI2,79172241313
        Berkley, MI15,35227533560
        Huntington Woods, MI6,30316557573
        Clawson, MI11,909196411607
        Pleasant Ridge, MI2,58939580619
        Trenton, MI18,21499591690
        Detroit, MI672,3512,0284,4786,506

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Nashville, TN667,0701,1023,8254,927
        El Paso, TX679,8793131,3791,692
        Boston, MA689,3266191,8022,421
        Memphis, TN650,9102,4217,1669,587
        Portland, OR650,3807516,3247,076
        Detroit, MI672,3512,0284,4786,506
        Source: The Detroit, MI crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.