CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D

Is Pontiac, Michigan Safe?

Population 62,077 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Pontiac faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 85% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,483 per 100K.

Pontiac Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPontiacMichigan AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate356.3330.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2363.62014.41,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate219.0--268.2
Theft Rate1483.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate256.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

272 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

356/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2364/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Pontiac

Violent crime in Pontiac is close to the national average. The rate of 356.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2363.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,483 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Pontiac Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault219
082% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery80
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary397
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,483
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft256
080% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Pontiac Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Pontiac
356.3
State
330.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Pontiac
2363.6
State
2014.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Pontiac Safety

Is Pontiac safe?
Not especially. Pontiac earns a D with a crime rate of 272 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 Pontiac?
272 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 356.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2363.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Pontiac safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Pontiac's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,483 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Pontiac?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Pontiac generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Pontiac police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Pontiac?
No. Crime in Pontiac has been trending down, which is good news for the D-rated city.
How does Pontiac compare to other cities in Michigan?
Below average for the state. Pontiac ranks behind about 77% of Michigan cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Pontiac to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Pontiac?
Bad. A D grade and 272 per-thousand rate put Pontiac below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 356 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Pontiac?
356.3 per 100,000, which is 2% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (219), robbery (80), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Michigan

Similar-sized communities in Michigan. Compare crime rates across the state.

D+
See crime rates in Taylor61,279 pop · Grade D+
C-
See crime rates in Dearborn Heights60,664 pop · Grade C-
C-
See crime rates in St. Clair Shores57,872 pop · Grade C-
D-
See crime rates in Royal Oak57,583 pop · Grade D-
C-
See crime rates in Novi67,319 pop · Grade C-
D
See crime rates in Kentwood54,776 pop · Grade D
View all Michigan city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Pontiac

Get weekly safety updates for Pontiac

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities