CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D-

Is Sterling Heights, Michigan Safe?

Population 133,931 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Sterling Heights has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D- safety grade reflects a violent crime rate below the national average and an overall rate of 274.9 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 2,081 per 100K.

Sterling Heights Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSterling HeightsMichigan AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate249.3330.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2499.82014.41,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate154.0--268.2
Theft Rate2081.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate339.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

274.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

249/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2500/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Sterling Heights

Violent crime in Sterling Heights is below the national average. The rate of 249.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2499.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 2,081 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Sterling Heights Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault154
057% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery35
055% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary454
01.7x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft2,081
01.5x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft339
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Sterling Heights Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Sterling Heights
249.3
State
330.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Sterling Heights
2499.8
State
2014.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Sterling Heights Safety

Is Sterling Heights safe?
Not especially. Sterling Heights earns a D- with a crime rate of 274.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Sterling Heights?
274.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 249.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2499.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Sterling Heights safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Sterling Heights's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (2,081 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Sterling Heights?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Sterling Heights generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Sterling Heights police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Sterling Heights?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Sterling Heights's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Sterling Heights compare to other cities in Michigan?
Below average for the state. Sterling Heights ranks behind about 83% of Michigan cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.4x the national rate.
How safe is Sterling Heights to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Sterling Heights?
Bad. A D- grade and 274.9 per-thousand rate put Sterling Heights below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 249 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Sterling Heights?
249.3 per 100,000, which is 31% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (154), robbery (35), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Michigan

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

C
See crime rates in Warren137,138 pop · Grade C
D-
See crime rates in Ann Arbor122,233 pop · Grade D-
D
See crime rates in Lansing113,884 pop · Grade D
C-
See crime rates in Dearborn105,611 pop · Grade C-
C-
See crime rates in Livonia92,603 pop · Grade C-
C-
See crime rates in Troy88,733 pop · Grade C-
View all Michigan city safety grades

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

Get weekly safety updates for Sterling Heights

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