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D

Is Detroit, Michigan Safe?

Population 649,095 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Detroit has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate above the national average and an overall rate of 256.1 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,708 per 100K.

Detroit Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDetroitMichigan AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate438.5330.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2122.92014.41,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate294.0--268.2
Theft Rate1708.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate190.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

256.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

439/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2123/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Detroit

Violent crime in Detroit is above the national average. The rate of 438.5 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2122.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,708 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Detroit Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault294
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery74
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary323
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,708
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft190
060% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Detroit Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Detroit
438.5
State
330.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Detroit
2122.9
State
2014.4
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Detroit Safety

Is Detroit safe?
Not especially. Detroit earns a D with a crime rate of 256.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Detroit?
256.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 438.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2122.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Detroit safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Detroit's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,708 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Detroit?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Detroit generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Detroit police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Detroit?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Detroit's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Detroit compare to other cities in Michigan?
Below average for the state. Detroit ranks behind about 79% of Michigan cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Detroit to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Detroit?
Bad. A D grade and 256.1 per-thousand rate put Detroit below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 439 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Detroit?
438.5 per 100,000, which is 21% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (294), robbery (74), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Michigan

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View all Michigan city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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