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C-

Is Portage, Michigan Safe?

Population 49,862 · Safer than 28% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Portage is a smaller community of 49,862 people with a C- safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 233.6 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,503 per 100K.

Portage Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPortageMichigan AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate247.9330.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2087.82014.41,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate149.0--268.2
Theft Rate1503.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate483.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

233.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

248/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2088/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Portage

Violent crime in Portage is below the national average. The rate of 247.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2087.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,503 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Portage Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault149
056% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery40
063% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary374
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,503
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft483
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Portage Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Portage
247.9
State
330.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Portage
2087.8
State
2014.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Portage Safety

Is Portage safe?
Not especially. Portage earns a C- with a crime rate of 233.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Portage?
233.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 247.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2087.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Portage safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Portage's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,503 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Portage?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Portage generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Portage police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Portage?
Crime rates have held steady in Portage, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Portage compare to other cities in Michigan?
Below average for the state. Portage ranks behind about 73% of Michigan cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Portage to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Portage?
Bad. A C- grade and 233.6 per-thousand rate put Portage below 72% of US cities. Violent crime at 248 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Portage?
247.9 per 100,000, which is 32% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (149), robbery (40), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Michigan

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View all Michigan city safety grades

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

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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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