A-
41%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
44%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
40%
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 peopleSterling Heights/100k peopleMichigan/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,819n/a (estimate)1,3741,9982,324
Murder2n/a1.56.96.3
Rape39n/a29.564.840.0
Robbery22n/a16.636.666.1
Assault209n/a157.9352.7268.2
Violent crime272n/a (estimate)205461370
Burglary82n/a61.9214.3269.8
Theft1,209n/a913.21,055.31,401.9
Vehicle theft256n/a193.4267.2282.7
Property crime1,547n/a (estimate)1,1681,5371,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Sterling Heights, MI

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Sterling Heights is 40.9% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 272 violent crimes reported in Sterling Heights, equivalent to 205 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 44.4%. Additionally, Sterling Heights recorded 1547 property crimes, amounting to 1168 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 40.2%.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Sterling Heights?

AreaVibes surveyed 31 local residents in Sterling Heights to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 77% of people answered that there was very little crime in Sterling Heights and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 23% 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 Sterling Heights a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Sterling Heights, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Sterling Heights presents a total crime rate that is 41% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Sterling Heights experiences an average of 4.98 daily crimes, comprising 0.75 violent incidents and 4.24 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Sterling Heights Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Sterling Heights. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Sterling Heights has increased by 34.2%. Violent crimes have increased by 13.3%, while property crimes have increased by 38.7%. 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.

Potential Causes for Crime in Sterling Heights

In Sterling Heights, the current unemployment rate stands at 3.1%, 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 Sterling Heights crime rates.

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 Sterling Heights crime rates. The population density in Sterling Heights is 3629.8 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

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. Sterling Heights has a median home price of $198,300, 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.

Sterling Heights crime map



The Sterling Heights crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Sterling Heights 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 Sterling Heights crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Sterling Heights 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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Compare Sterling Heights, MI Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Sterling Heights crime rates are 41% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Sterling Heights are 44% lower than the national average
      • In Sterling Heights you have a 1 in 73 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Sterling Heights is safer than 54% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Sterling Heights has increased by 34%

      Sterling Heights, MI Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Sterling Heights

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        Daily Crime In Sterling Heights (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Sterling Heights, per 100,000 residents. In Sterling Heights, the total number of daily crimes is 1.45 times less than the Michigan average and 1.69 times less than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Sterling Heights are 2.24 times less than the Michigan average and 1.80 times less than the national average. For property crime, Sterling Heights has a daily crime rate that is 1.32 times less than the Michigan average and 1.67 times less than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Sterling Heights (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Sterling Heights in comparison to other Michigan communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Sterling Heights safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Sterling Heights being safer than 51% of cities in Michigan and 54% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Michigan cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Sterling Heights. In conclusion, Sterling Heights ranks above average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Sterling Heights

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Sterling Heights is 1 in 487
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Sterling Heights is 1 in 86
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Sterling Heights is 1 in 73
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Sterling Heights, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 487. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 86 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Sterling Heights is 1 in 73.

        Year Over Year Crime In Sterling Heights (per 100,000 people)

        Determining whether Sterling Heights is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Sterling Heights violent crime rates have increased by 13%. At the same time, property crime has increased by 38% year over year. Total crimes for Sterling Heights has increased by 34% in the same time frame.

        Sterling Heights police department

        Item Sterling Heights Michigan National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)19010,515558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.52.13.3
        There are a total of 190 Sterling Heights police officers. This results in 1.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 29.3% less than the Michigan average and 55% 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
        Bingham Farms, MI1,53965216280
        Village of Grosse Pointe Shores, MI2,79172241313
        New Baltimore, MI12,33342317358
        Rochester, MI13,20331443474
        Berkley, MI15,35227533560
        Huntington Woods, MI6,30316557573
        Clawson, MI11,909196411607
        Sterling Heights, MI132,2962051,1681,374

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Visalia, CA133,1004972,3732,870
        Cedar Rapids, IA133,1253203,0473,367
        Coral Springs, FL133,3701691,0201,188
        Gainesville, FL133,6113592,1722,531
        Columbia, SC134,0575992,8563,454
        Sterling Heights, MI132,2962051,1681,374
        Source: The Sterling Heights, 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.