| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Portage/100k people | Indiana/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 520 | n/a (estimate) | 1,344 | 1,692 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 4 | n/a | 10.3 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 15 | n/a | 38.8 | 33.5 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 4 | n/a | 10.3 | 34.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 68 | n/a | 175.7 | 239.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 91 | n/a (estimate) | 235 | 313 | 359 |
| Burglary | 29 | n/a | 74.9 | 176.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 378 | n/a | 976.7 | 988.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 22 | n/a | 56.8 | 213.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 429 | n/a (estimate) | 1,109 | 1,379 | 1,760 |
The Portage crime rates are 36.6% 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 91 violent crimes in Portage (235 per 100,000 people), which is 34.5% lower than the national average and there were a total of 429 property crimes (1109 per 100,000 residents) which is 37% lower than average.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Portage has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 4 murders in Portage, which is 10 murders per 100,000 people.
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.
Is Portage 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, Portage has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 37%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.42 daily incidents, encompassing 0.25 violent crimes and 1.18 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Portage as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Portage has increased by 19% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Portage 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 9%, while property crime has increased by 27.3%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Portage.
Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Portage crime rates. Portage registers a population density of 1469.8 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
In Portage, the cost of living is 1.37% higher than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.
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. Portage has a median home price of $282,859, deviating from the national average of $326,622. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| 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 |
| St. John, IN | 18,872 | 24 | 129 | 153 |
| Porter, IN | 5,012 | 19 | 192 | 211 |
| Aberdeen, IN | 1,765 | 44 | 194 | 237 |
| Ogden Dunes, IN | 1,159 | 44 | 194 | 237 |
| Shorewood Forest, IN | 3,039 | 49 | 216 | 265 |
| Burns Harbor, IN | 2,165 | 85 | 374 | 458 |
| Wanatah, IN | 1,240 | 95 | 419 | 514 |
| Portage, IN | 37,504 | 235 | 1,109 | 1,344 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Phenix City, AL | 37,524 | 778 | 3,471 | 4,248 |
| Bettendorf, IA | 37,477 | 105 | 868 | 972 |
| Lewiston, ME | 37,532 | 245 | 1,529 | 1,773 |
| Holly Springs, NC | 37,538 | 162 | 850 | 1,013 |
| West Fargo, ND | 37,459 | 164 | 1,014 | 1,178 |
| Portage, IN | 37,504 | 235 | 1,109 | 1,344 |
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