| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Pontiac/100k people | Michigan/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,692 | n/a (estimate) | 2,793 | 1,998 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 13 | n/a | 21.5 | 6.9 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 34 | n/a | 56.1 | 64.8 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 53 | n/a | 87.5 | 36.6 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 520 | n/a | 858.4 | 352.7 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 620 | n/a (estimate) | 1,023 | 461 | 370 |
| Burglary | 192 | n/a | 316.9 | 214.3 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 718 | n/a | 1,185.2 | 1,055.3 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 162 | n/a | 267.4 | 267.2 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 1,072 | n/a (estimate) | 1,770 | 1,537 | 1,954 |
The Pontiac crime rates are 20.2% higher 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 620 violent crimes in Pontiac (1023 per 100,000 people), which is 176.8% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1072 property crimes (1770 per 100,000 residents) which is 9.5% lower than average.
Pontiac ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 1023 per 100,000 people, Pontiac is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 98 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Pontiac, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Pontiac is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 13 murders in Pontiac, which equates to 21 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Pontiac being a very dangerous place to live.
In the most recent release, Pontiac reported a property crime rate that closely aligns with the national average. In Pontiac, there were 1770 reported property crimes, a figure consistent with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. This positions the area as maintaining a level of safety and security on par with the typical city. The harmonious statistics underscore a balanced commitment to community well-being, offering residents a sense of stability and peace in their surroundings.
What do the local residents think about crime in Pontiac? Well, based on a recent survey of 55 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 13% of Pontiac residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 87% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Pontiac is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Pontiac has a total crime rate that is 20% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 4.64 daily crimes (1.7 violent daily crimes and 2.94 daily property crimes) in Pontiac.
Year-over-year crime rates in Pontiac has decreased by 2.1% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Pontiac 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 12.9%, while property crime has decreased by 5.4%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Pontiac.
The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Pontiac, 73.4% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
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 Pontiac, the cost of living is 14.74% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Pontiac, the average monthly rent stands at $811, while the national average is $949 per month.
| Item | Pontiac | Michigan | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 95 | 10,515 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 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 |
| Wolverine Lake, MI | 4,712 | 45 | 112 | 157 |
| Bingham Farms, MI | 1,539 | 65 | 216 | 280 |
| Orchard Lake Village, MI | 2,489 | 72 | 241 | 313 |
| Oxford, MI | 3,542 | 58 | 291 | 349 |
| Romeo, MI | 3,908 | 81 | 323 | 404 |
| Rochester, MI | 13,203 | 31 | 443 | 474 |
| Berkley, MI | 15,352 | 27 | 533 | 560 |
| Pontiac, MI | 59,714 | 1,023 | 1,770 | 2,793 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Woodland, CA | 59,759 | 356 | 2,199 | 2,555 |
| Owensboro, KY | 59,796 | 369 | 3,459 | 3,829 |
| Cupertino, CA | 59,799 | 116 | 1,331 | 1,447 |
| West Allis, WI | 59,861 | 286 | 2,607 | 2,894 |
| Meriden, CT | 59,512 | 292 | 2,345 | 2,637 |
| Pontiac, MI | 59,714 | 1,023 | 1,770 | 2,793 |
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