| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Muskegon Heights/100k people | Michigan/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 496 | n/a (estimate) | 4,988 | 1,998 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 10.1 | 6.9 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 20 | n/a | 201.1 | 64.8 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 10 | n/a | 100.6 | 36.6 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 139 | n/a | 1,397.8 | 352.7 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 170 | n/a (estimate) | 1,710 | 461 | 370 |
| Burglary | 52 | n/a | 522.9 | 214.3 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 238 | n/a | 2,393.4 | 1,055.3 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 36 | n/a | 362.0 | 267.2 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 326 | n/a (estimate) | 3,278 | 1,537 | 1,954 |
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 Muskegon Heights crime rate is higher than the national average by 114.6%. Specifically, there were 170 violent crimes in Muskegon Heights, equivalent to 1710 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 362.3%. Furthermore, Muskegon Heights recorded 326 property crimes, amounting to 3278 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 67.7%.
Having a crime rate of 4988 per 100,000 residents, Muskegon Heights experiences a crime rate that is 114.61% 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, Muskegon Heights 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.
Muskegon Heights has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 1710 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Muskegon Heights falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 59 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, Muskegon Heights ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Muskegon Heights, there were a total of 1 murders, translating to 10 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Muskegon Heights residents. Out of the respondents (31 in total), 16% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Muskegon Heights were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 84% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Is Muskegon Heights a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Muskegon Heights has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 115%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.36 daily incidents, encompassing 0.47 violent crimes and 0.89 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Muskegon Heights as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Muskegon Heights crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Muskegon Heights has decreased by 10.1% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 2.4% and property crime has decreased by 15.5%.
In Muskegon Heights, the current unemployment rate stands at 10.6%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Muskegon Heights crime rates.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Muskegon Heights, 72% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Muskegon Heights has a median home price of $42,900, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
| Item | Muskegon Heights | Michigan | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 15 | 10,515 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.4 | 2.1 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Michigan /100K | National /100K |
| Michigan | 40,460 | 414 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Ferrysburg, MI | 3,025 | 103 | 344 | 447 |
| Twin Lake, MI | 1,764 | 143 | 476 | 619 |
| Spring Lake, MI | 2,477 | 162 | 539 | 701 |
| Fruitport, MI | 1,222 | 179 | 596 | 775 |
| Lakewood Club, MI | 1,251 | 217 | 724 | 941 |
| Montague, MI | 2,801 | 123 | 1,026 | 1,149 |
| Whitehall, MI | 2,789 | 101 | 1,048 | 1,149 |
| Muskegon Heights, MI | 10,735 | 1,710 | 3,278 | 4,988 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Fox Lake, IL | 10,739 | 276 | 1,646 | 1,922 |
| Northbrook, OH | 10,744 | 368 | 2,230 | 2,597 |
| Waipio, HI | 10,745 | 249 | 2,330 | 2,579 |
| Soquel, CA | 10,721 | 358 | 1,680 | 2,038 |
| Fairfield, AL | 10,749 | 491 | 2,088 | 2,579 |
| Muskegon Heights, MI | 10,735 | 1,710 | 3,278 | 4,988 |
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