Traverse City, MI Crime Rates: Stats & Map

B

33%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

24%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

34%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

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.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Traverse City_{/100k people}	Michigan_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	245	n/a (estimate)	1,569	1,998	2,324
Murder	0	n/a	0.0	6.9	6.3
Rape	14	n/a	89.6	64.8	40.0
Robbery	0	n/a	0.0	36.6	66.1
Assault	30	n/a	192.1	352.7	268.2
Violent crime	44	n/a (estimate)	282	461	370
Burglary	24	n/a	153.7	214.3	269.8
Theft	168	n/a	1,075.8	1,055.3	1,401.9
Vehicle theft	9	n/a	57.6	267.2	282.7
Property crime	201	n/a (estimate)	1,287	1,537	1,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Traverse City, MI

The Traverse City crime rates are 32.5% 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 44 violent crimes in Traverse City (282 per 100,000 people), which is 23.8% lower than the national average and there were a total of 201 property crimes (1287 per 100,000 residents) which is 34.2% lower than average.

Traverse City showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Traverse City?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Traverse City residents. Out of the respondents (45 in total), 80% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Traverse City were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 20% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Traverse City a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Traverse City 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. Traverse City has a total crime rate that is 33% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.67 daily crimes (0.12 violent daily crimes and 0.55 daily property crimes) in Traverse City.

Has Crime in Traverse City Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Traverse City has decreased by 2.8%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Traverse City, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 30.2%, while property crime has decreased by 6.4%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Traverse City is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Traverse City

Traverse City has a poverty rate of 10.1, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.

Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower Traverse City crime rates. For instance, in Traverse City, the population density stands at 1875.9 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Traverse City, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 1.95 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

Traverse City crime map

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

Traverse City crime rates are 33% lower than the national average
Violent crimes in Traverse City are 24% lower than the national average
In Traverse City you have a 1 in 64 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Traverse City is safer than 44% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Traverse City has decreased by 1%

Traverse City, MI Crime Quiz

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Daily Crime In Traverse City (per 100,000 people)

The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Traverse City, per 100,000 residents. In Traverse City, the total number of daily crimes is 1.27 times less than the Michigan average and 1.48 times less than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Traverse City are 1.64 times less than the Michigan average and 1.31 times less than the national average. For property crime, Traverse City has a daily crime rate that is 1.19 times less than the Michigan average and 1.52 times less than the daily national average.

How Safe is Traverse City (higher is better)

What are the odds that you'll be safer in Traverse City, Michigan compared to other areas of Michigan, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Traverse City safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Traverse City is safer than 41% of Michigan cities, and 44% 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 Traverse City. At this time, Traverse City sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Traverse City

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Traverse City is 1 in 355

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Traverse City is 1 in 78

The chance of being a victim of crime in Traverse City is 1 in 64

How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Traverse City, Michigan you have a 1 in 355 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 78 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 64 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Traverse City.

Year Over Year Crime In Traverse City (per 100,000 people)

The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Traverse City is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Traverse City has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have decreased by 29% in Traverse City, while property crimes in Traverse City have increased by 8%. Total crime has decreased by 1% year over year.

Traverse City police department

Item	Traverse City	Michigan	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	29	10,515	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	1.9	2.1	3.3

There are a total of 29 Traverse City police officers. This results in 1.9 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 5.9% less than the Michigan average and 40.2% less than the National average.

Sex offenders in Michigan

State	Total offenders	Michigan_/100K	National_/100K
Michigan	40,460	414	266

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}
Greilickville, MI	1,765	82	272	354
Elk Rapids, MI	1,531	83	278	361
Chums Corner, MI	1,117	122	407	529
Kingsley, MI	1,933	185	618	803
Lake Ann, MI	220	446	1,487	1,933
Interlochen, MI	438	503	1,677	2,179
Bendon, MI	166	511	1,704	2,215
Traverse City, MI	15,525	282	1,287	1,569

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Groves, TX	15,531	324	1,157	1,481
The Dalles, OR	15,518	360	3,789	4,149
Longwood, FL	15,514	333	2,027	2,360
Asbury Park, NJ	15,536	1,078	3,623	4,701
Middleburg Heights, OH	15,514	252	1,526	1,778
Traverse City, MI	15,525	282	1,287	1,569

Source: The Traverse City, 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.