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D

Is Grand Rapids, Michigan Safe?

Population 201,183 · Safer than 18% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Grand Rapids has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 261 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,508 per 100K.

Grand Rapids Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricGrand RapidsMichigan AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate328.7330.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2280.92014.41,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate260.0--268.2
Theft Rate1508.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate349.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

261 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

329/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2281/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Grand Rapids

Violent crime in Grand Rapids is close to the national average. The rate of 328.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2280.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,508 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Grand Rapids Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault260
097% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery44
070% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary433
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,508
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft349
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Grand Rapids Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Grand Rapids
328.7
State
330.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Grand Rapids
2280.9
State
2014.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Grand Rapids Safety

Is Grand Rapids safe?
Not especially. Grand Rapids earns a D with a crime rate of 261 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Grand Rapids?
261 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 328.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2280.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Grand Rapids safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Grand Rapids's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,508 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Grand Rapids?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Grand Rapids generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Grand Rapids police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Grand Rapids?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Grand Rapids's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Grand Rapids compare to other cities in Michigan?
Below average for the state. Grand Rapids ranks behind about 74% of Michigan cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Grand Rapids to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Grand Rapids?
Bad. A D grade and 261 per-thousand rate put Grand Rapids below 82% of US cities. Violent crime at 329 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Grand Rapids?
328.7 per 100,000, which is 10% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (260), robbery (44), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

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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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