| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Portage/100k people | Indiana/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 500 | n/a (estimate) | 1,301 | 1,850 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 2.6 | 6.2 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 24 | n/a | 62.4 | 32.8 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 5 | n/a | 13.0 | 43.0 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 31 | n/a | 80.6 | 224.2 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 61 | n/a (estimate) | 159 | 306 | 370 |
| Burglary | 28 | n/a | 72.8 | 226.1 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 393 | n/a | 1,022.4 | 1,118.6 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 18 | n/a | 46.8 | 199.4 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 439 | n/a (estimate) | 1,142 | 1,544 | 1,954 |
When we analyze the latest crime report, the Portage crime rate is 44% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Portage, there were 61 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 159 per 100,000 individuals, 57.1% lower than the national average. Additionally, Portage recorded 439 property crimes, amounting to 1142 per 100,000 residents, 41.6% lower than the U.S. average.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Portage. Based on the results of the surveys (15 responses), 73% of people felt that there was very little crime in Portage and felt safe walking alone at night. While 27% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Portage, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Portage presents a total crime rate that is 44% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Portage experiences an average of 1.37 daily crimes, comprising 0.17 violent incidents and 1.2 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Portage. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Portage has increased by 14.4%. Violent crimes have decreased by 39%, while property crimes have increased by 30.3%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Portage, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.8%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.
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 Portage, 82.6% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, 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 Portage, the cost of living is 0.25% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | Portage | Indiana | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 67 | 8,766 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.8 | 2.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Indiana /100K | National /100K |
| Indiana | 12,315 | 198 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Ogden Dunes, IN | 1,132 | 43 | 217 | 260 |
| Aberdeen, IN | 1,698 | 43 | 217 | 260 |
| Shorewood Forest, IN | 2,931 | 48 | 242 | 290 |
| Porter, IN | 4,835 | 190 | 323 | 514 |
| Burns Harbor, IN | 2,107 | 91 | 457 | 548 |
| Chesterton, IN | 13,884 | 193 | 400 | 594 |
| Winfield, IN | 5,879 | 100 | 502 | 602 |
| Portage, IN | 36,524 | 159 | 1,142 | 1,301 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Lincoln Park, MI | 36,525 | 592 | 1,919 | 2,511 |
| Rome, GA | 36,518 | 844 | 3,915 | 4,759 |
| Bartlesville, OK | 36,495 | 302 | 2,657 | 2,959 |
| Dunedin, FL | 36,480 | 272 | 1,644 | 1,916 |
| Trumbull, CT | 36,477 | 59 | 1,879 | 1,939 |
| Portage, IN | 36,524 | 159 | 1,142 | 1,301 |
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