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D+

Is Kalamazoo, Michigan Safe?

Population 72,683 · Safer than 24% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Kalamazoo earns a D+ safety grade with 244.4 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs above the national average, putting the city behind 76% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,474 per 100K.

Kalamazoo Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricKalamazooMichigan AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate442.0330.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2002.32014.41,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate324.0--268.2
Theft Rate1474.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate270.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

244.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

442/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

2002/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Kalamazoo

Violent crime in Kalamazoo is above the national average. The rate of 442.0 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2002.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,474 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 324 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Kalamazoo Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault324
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery76
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary296
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,474
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft270
085% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Kalamazoo Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Kalamazoo
442.0
State
330.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Kalamazoo
2002.3
State
2014.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Kalamazoo Safety

Is Kalamazoo safe?
Not especially. Kalamazoo earns a D+ with a crime rate of 244.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Kalamazoo?
244.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 442.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2002.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Kalamazoo safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Kalamazoo's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,474 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Kalamazoo?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Kalamazoo generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Kalamazoo police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Kalamazoo?
No. Crime in Kalamazoo has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Kalamazoo compare to other cities in Michigan?
Below average for the state. Kalamazoo ranks behind about 84% of Michigan cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Kalamazoo to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Kalamazoo?
Bad. A D+ grade and 244.4 per-thousand rate put Kalamazoo below 76% of US cities. Violent crime at 442 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Kalamazoo?
442.0 per 100,000, which is 21% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (324), robbery (76), and murder (8.0) 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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