A+
66%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
79%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
64%
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 peopleHoughton/100k peopleMichigan/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime60n/a (estimate)7851,9982,324
Murder1n/a13.16.96.3
Rape5n/a65.464.840.0
Robbery0n/a0.036.666.1
Assault0n/a0.0352.7268.2
Violent crime6n/a (estimate)78461370
Burglary3n/a39.2214.3269.8
Theft50n/a654.11,055.31,401.9
Vehicle theft1n/a13.1267.2282.7
Property crime54n/a (estimate)7061,5371,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Houghton, MI

The Houghton crime rates are 66.2% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 6 violent crimes in Houghton (78 per 100,000 people), which is 78.8% lower than the national average and there were a total of 54 property crimes (706 per 100,000 residents) which is 63.9% lower than average.

Houghton has a crime rate of 785, which is considerably less than the national average of 2324. This results in Houghton being one of the safest places to live across the United States. The crime rate is based on the total number of violent and property crimes per 100,000 people.

Houghton has one of the lowest violent crime rates of all cities in the United States. With a rate of 78 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Houghton ranks among the safest cities in the United States making it an attractive choice for those seeking a new place to call home.

While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Houghton stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Houghton, a total of 1 murders were reported, equating to 13 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Houghton?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Houghton residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 29 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 90% of Houghton residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 10% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Houghton a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Houghton 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 Houghton crime rate is 66% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.16 crimes per day - 0.02 violent crimes and 0.15 property crimes.

Has Crime in Houghton Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Houghton has decreased by 11.8% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Houghton 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 increased by 500%, while property crime has decreased by 19.4%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Houghton.

Potential Causes for Crime in Houghton

High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Houghton crime rates. The population density in Houghton is 1770.6 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Houghton, 91.8% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Houghton, the cost of living is 11.51% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Houghton crime map



The Houghton crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Houghton 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 Houghton crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Houghton 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

  • Houghton crime rates are 66% lower than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Houghton are 79% lower than the national average
  • In Houghton you have a 1 in 128 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Houghton is safer than 80% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Houghton has decreased by 13%

Houghton, MI Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Houghton (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Houghton, MI per 100,000 people. In Houghton, the total number of daily crimes is 2.55 times less than the Michigan average and 2.96 times less than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Houghton is 5.87 times less than the Michigan average and 4.71 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Houghton has a daily crime rate that is 2.18 times less than the Michigan average and 2.77 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Houghton (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Houghton, Michigan compared to other areas of Michigan, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Houghton safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Houghton is safer than 80% of Michigan cities, and 80% 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 Houghton. At this time, Houghton sees a above average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Houghton

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Houghton is 1 in 1275
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Houghton is 1 in 142
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Houghton is 1 in 128
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Houghton? If you reside in Houghton, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 1275. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 142 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Houghton, is 1 in 128.

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

        Determining whether Houghton is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Houghton violent crime rates have increased by 500%. At the same time, property crime has decreased by 21% year over year. Total crimes for Houghton has decreased by 13% in the same time frame.

        Houghton police department

        Item Houghton Michigan National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)810,515558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.02.13.3
        There are a total of 8 Houghton police officers. This results in 1.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 49.9% less than the Michigan average and 68.1% less 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
        Laurium, MI1,922103412515
        Hancock, MI4,52644509554
        Lake Linden, MI1,167226753979
        Hubbell, MI8372317711,003
        Dollar Bay, MI9715471,8252,372
        South Range, MI5115921,9742,566
        Ahmeek, MI857122,3743,086
        Houghton, MI7,80578706785

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Odessa, FL7,8081659981,163
        Bellwood, VA7,8082802,0292,309
        Ripon, WI7,802180654834
        Wilson, PA7,8091461,4281,575
        York, NE7,8102079741,181
        Houghton, MI7,80578706785
        Source: The Houghton, 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.