Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Michigan

If you are planning to move to Michigan for travel or living purposes, figuring out safe cities and avoiding the most dangerous cities in Michigan is very important.

This article is about the top 10 most dangerous cities in Michigan. It will guide you about avoiding the worst cities with high crime rates in Michigan. If you want to move to those areas, we have also mentioned some tips to stay safe in the state.

Is Michigan Dangerous?

Michigan is a big state that is spotlighted for being a dangerous and safe place simultaneously. Some cities in Michigan have more than the national average crime rate, while others always remain on the safest side.

The big cities of Michigan, like Flint and Detroit, are more dangerous due to serious problems like violence, crime, and theft in the neighborhood. Besides these, people also feel worried and unsafe in some other areas where there are no job opportunities, no money, and no proper police support.

However, it does not mean that the whole of Michigan is unsafe in order to live a peaceful life. Some cities in Michigan are among the safest cities in the U.S., with very low crime rates and a lot of peaceful opportunities to lead a safe and happy life.

What Does Makes Michigan Dangerous?

The danger in some specific cities of Michigan is not caused by a single cause. Several factors contribute to making this state dangerous and unsuitable for living in. Out of which, Property Crime and Violent Crimes are the major ones.

Property crimes in Michigan are at the top of the list and include burglary, motor vehicle theft incidents, and larceny theft. The overall total property crime rate in Michigan per 100,000 people is 1,537. It is the 38th most dangerous state out of 50 states in the U.S. regarding property crimes. Larceny theft is the most common crime here, with a rate of 1,055 incidents per 100,000  people.

Secondly, violent crime is common in Michigan, with a crime rate higher than the national average. It includes murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The overall violent crime rate in Michigan per 100,000 people is 461. This is 21 points higher than the average violent crime rate and causes Michigan to rank 10th number among 50 states in this regard.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Michigan

1: Detroit

Detroit is the most dangerous city in Michigan. It has the title of US Car Industry with a total population of 635,000 individuals. Unfortunately, this city is 170% more dangerous than the national average because of the high crime rate of 6,389 per 100,000 people.

2: Flint

Flint is the second most popular city for high crime rates after Detroit. Over the past 9 years, a gradual increase in the crime rates has been observed. Flint’s population is 98,763, and its crime rate is 2,752 per 100,00 residents. The overall chance of becoming a victim in Flint is 1 in 78.

3: Pontiac

Pontiac is another city famous for its significant crime rate, and it is located in Southeastern Michigan. This city accommodates around 61,606 residents with undesirable, dangerous living zones. The overall crime rate of Pontiac is 2,793 per 100,000 individuals. In Pontiac, the property crime rate is 9% below the national average, but violent crime is 177% higher than the national average.

4: Harper Woods

Harper Woods is a small city in Michigan, but it deals with high crime rates compared to other parts of the state. This city is also located near Detroit and has a total population size of 15,492 individuals. The overall crime rate in this city is 4,057 per 100,000 people, and it is 121% dangerous compared to the national average. The chances of being the victim here is 1 in 108.

5: Saginaw

Highland Park is one of the most beautiful cities in the state, but it is also the worst place to live. As this city is surrounded by Detroit, the crime rate is also high here. It has a crime rate of 4,541 per 100,000 people, making it 94% more dangerous than the national average. The overall chance of becoming a victim of any crime here is 1 in 23.

6: Albino

Albino is a small city located in South-Central Michigan, known for its high crime rates and unsafe environment in communities. It has 7,700 total residents and 4,671 crime incidents per 100,000 individuals. For violent crimes, Albino is 196% more dangerous than the national average and the chances of being a victim of violent crime is 1 in 22.

7: Kalamazoo

Kalamazooo is a beautiful city in Michigan but, unfortunately, struggles with high crime rates. Kalamazoo is 164% more dangerous than the national average and has a crime rate of 6,018 per 100,000 residents. However, the total population size of this city is 75,834.

8: Benton Harbor

Bonton Harbor is known as one of the most troubled cities in the context of crime rates. This city has a total population of 8,892, with a crime rate of 6,365 per 100,000 people. This makes Benton Harbor 169 % more dangerous as compared to the national average.

9: Highland Park

Highland Park is again a city located near Detroit. Like Detroit’s neighborhood, this city suffers from a high crime rate and unsafe environment. The violent crime rate is worse here than the property crime rate. This city is 94% more dangerous compared to the national average and has a crime rate of 4,541 per 100,000 residents.

10: Jackson

Jackson is located in Southern Michigan, where rising crime rates have been observed over the years. The average crime rate per 100,000 residents is 4,179, which makes safety a concern for the population of 32,188 individuals.

How To Be Safe In Dangerous Cities In Michigan?

Living in the most dangerous city in Michigan demands a lot of precautionary measures. Here are some of the tips.

Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

It is very important to pay attention to your surroundings. This act creates a feeling of awareness and does not let the wrongdoers act smartly.

Install A Reliable Security Camera

You can install the Reolink TrackMix security camera. It’s a pan-and-tilt camera with dual lenses to capture wide-angle and close-up views at the same time. It automatically tracks objects, focuses on them, and sends real-time alerts to the connected devices.

For deterring crimes, Reolink Floodlight cameras are ideal. They have powerful and bright floodlights to scare intruders and illuminate the area to capture true colors and intricate details at night.

Do Not Show Off Expensive Items

You should keep your expensive belongings hidden to avoid becoming a target. No one should flash jewelry, phone, or cash in areas with a high crime rate or in public.

Avoid High-Crime Areas At Night

It is suggested to stay away from areas or neighborhoods with high crime rates. Avoid taking shortcuts alone, try to be in busy areas, and always use well-lit streets.

FAQs

1: What City In Michigan Has The Most Crime Rate?

Michigan has many cities with high crime rates, but cities like Detroit and Flint have intense crime rates. The crime rates of both these cities are 6,389 and 2,752 per 100,000 residents, respectively.

2: What's the Safest City to Live in Michigan?

Like dangerous cities, Michigan also has a lot of safe cities as well. Kinross Township has a low crime rate and is considered a safe and community-friendly city. Other than this, Troy, Novi, and Rochester are good places to have a comfortable life.

3: How Many Murders In Michigan Per Year?

In Michigan, the murder rate fluctuates after every year. In 2023, there were a total of 1,504 gun deaths, and the homicide rate was 8.6 per 100,000 people. In the same year, 591 homicides were recorded. While in 2022, there were around 701 homicides recorded in Michigan in one year.

4: Is Michigan Safe?

Michigan overall shows mixed safety indicators—elevated violent crime, but lower property crime and a marginally improved crime score.

Conclusion

Michigan is a mix of dangerous as well as safe cities. Before relocating or visiting any of the cities, it's better to look at the crime stats and know how safe or dangerous the city is. We have listed the crime rates of some of the worst cities in Michigan along with tips on staying safe and avoiding danger.