Detroit is located in Wayne County and has about 661,193 residents. It’s the county seat, the largest city in Michigan, and among the top 30 biggest cities in the US. Since Detroit packs so many people, you’ll want to know the latest Detroit crime rate.
This data will help you decide whether you want to move here and learn which types of crimes are the most common in the city.
Besides the crime rates, know that Detroit is often called the Paris of the Midwest. It was also the first city to have a concrete highway, the first urban freeway, and the first four-way three-color traffic light.
History of Detroit Crime Rate
The people of Detroit have always loved to drink. The city played a key role during the 1920s prohibition era when about 75% of illegal liquor was allegedly smuggled from Canada via the Detroit River. One of the most notorious organizations that smuggled alcohol was the Purple Gang. The Gang supplied Canadian whiskey and other spirits all across the US.
However, as Prohibition ended, a new crime family arose — the Partnership. They controlled most of Detroit’s areas, but a few independent racketeer rings continued their operations as well.
The Detroit crime rate by year, measured since 1999, shows various degrees of change. For example, the violent crime rate for 2016 was 2046.52 per 100,000 residents, an increase from 2015. In 2017, the violent crime rate was only 0.5% higher than the previous year — 2056.67. It dropped to 2007.82 the following year.
In 2020, Detroit became the city with the highest homicide rate in the US — there were 328 reported murders, indicating a murder rate of 49.7 per 100,000 residents.
Current Detroit Crime Rate
The current total crime rate in the city is 130% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates being 462% higher than the American average. Property crime is also on the rise with a 64% higher rate.
There were a total of 35,548 reported crime incidents in 2020, 14,370 of which were violent, while 21,178 were property crimes.
The Detroit daily crime rate is 2.93 times higher than the state average and 2.30 times the national average. The total daily violent crime rate for Detroit is 5.97. Michigan’s daily average is 1.31, and the US daily rate is 1.06.
Year over year, the crime rate in the city jumped by 18%. Today, Detroit is safer than just 3% of other American cities, and you’d have one in 19 chances of being a victim of any crime. Additionally, the total daily crime rate is 14.76, which is drastically higher than Michigan (5.04) and national (6.43) rates.
Detroit crime rate map shows that the safest neighborhoods in Detroit are:
- English Village
- Sherwood Forest
- Medical Center
- Minock Park
- Palmer Woods
- Corktown
- Midtown
- Downtown
- Joseph Barry
Out of the nine, Sherwood Forest is the highest-rated area to live in. On the other hand, here are the most dangerous neighborhoods:
- Belmont
- Brush Park
- Greensbriar
- Weatherby
- Fishkorn
- Carbon Works
Different Types of Crimes in Detroit
People in Detroit face different types of crimes against people and property. The most common violent crime is aggravated assault, while the most common property crime is theft. Murders, rapes, and vehicle thefts are also frequent.
Detroit, MI Crime Rate – Crimes Against Persons
Crimes against persons are violent crimes and include murders, rapes, aggravated assaults, and robberies. In 2020, there were 14,370 reported incidents of violent crimes in Detroit. Let’s break down the numbers.
Detroit has an astonishingly high murder rate of 49.7.
(Areavibes)
The latest FBI report shows the number of murders in Detroit drastically changed in 2020. There were 328 reported incidents, accounting for 49.7 Detroit murder rate, calculated per 100,000 residents. In contrast, the Michigan rate for this type of crime is 7.6, and the US average is 6.5.
Detroit has an aggravated assault rate of 1,746.2.
(Areavibes)
In 2020, residents of Detroit reported a total of 11,518 incidents of aggravated assault, indicating a rate of 1,746.2. Again, this number is way higher in Detroit than Michigan (365.1) and the US (279.7).
Detroit had 676 reported rapes in 2020.
(Areavibes)
Currently, Detroit has a rate of 102.5 rape cases per 100,000 residents. On the other hand, Michigan crime stats show the state rate regarding rape is way lower — 60.9. Additionally, the US average rate is even lower — 38.4.
There were 1,848 cases of robbery in 2020.
(Areavibes)
Citizens of Detroit reported 1,848 cases of robbery in 2020, translating to a rate of 280.2 for this type of crime. In contrast, the US and Michigan rape rates are much lower – 73.9 and 44.5, respectively. Furthermore, robbery is the most common type of violent crime in this city.
Detroit, MI Crime Rate – Crimes Against Property
There were 21,178 reported incidents of property crime in 2020, which include theft, vehicle theft, burglary, and arson. Theft was the most common crime in Detroit, with 11,239 reported cases.
People reported 4,361 cases of burglary in Detroit.
(Areavibes)
The Detroit burglary crime rate is 661.1, and the city’s residents reported 4,361 incidents of this crime in 2020. For comparison, the US burglary rate is 314.2, while the Michigan crime rate for this type of crime is 233.1.
The theft rate in Detroit is 1,703.9 per 100,000 residents.
(Areavibes)
The people of Detroit reported 11,239 incidents of theft during 2020. This accounted for the total crime rate of 1,703.9 per 100,000 residents. Furthermore, Michigan has a rate of 943.3 for theft, while the US has a rate of 1,398.0. Based on data on the crime rate in Detroit, theft is the most common type of crime in the city.
Vehicle theft is the second-most common property crime in Detroit.
(Areavibes)
With a total of 5,578 reported incidents of vehicle theft, Detroit has a rate of 845.6 car thefts per 100,000 residents. On the other hand, the Michigan rate for this type of crime is 184.5, and the US average is 246.0.
Detroit’s rate for arson was 118.9 in 2019.
(City-data)
While the US average rate for arson was 10.8 per 100,000 residents in 2019, Detroit had a rate of 118.9. Furthermore, the city’s arson rate was the highest in 2010 — 120.3.
Crime Rate in Michigan: Detroit vs Other US Cities
If you’re looking for similar cities to move to, you can check out Boston, Chicago, or Seattle. Here’s how Detroit compares to these places.
Boston is safer than Detroit in terms of violent crimes.
(Areavibes)
While both Boston and Detroit are not generally safe, Boston does rank higher when the crime rates are compared. For example, the rate of violent crime in Boston is 624, while the rate is 2,179 in Detroit. Property crime rates are also higher in Detroit, sitting at 3,211, while Boston’s are 1,866.
Chicago has a crime rate of 3,926.
(Areavibes)
Chicago wins when it comes to Detroit crime rate vs Chicago crime rate. Chicago’s total crime rate is 3,926, while it’s 5,389 in Detroit. The violent crime rate is also way lower in Chicago (943), and the property crime rate sits at 2,983.
Seattle’s total crime rates are higher than Detroit’s.
(Areavibes)
Seattle’s total crime rate is 5,499, slightly higher than Detroit’s (5,389). However, Seattle’s violent crime rate is lower — 626. Unfortunately, its property crime rate is 4,873, while Detroit’s is 3,211.
Conclusion
The Detroit, Michigan crime rate shows this is a city you might want to avoid. There’s an evident increase in murders and violent crime, and the property crime rates aren’t looking good either. The total crime rates are 130% higher than the US average, and you should also be worried about the violent crime rate, which is 462% higher.
Still, there are some safe areas near Detroit, such as English Village, Sherwood Forest, Medical Center, and Minock Park.
People Also Ask
Is Detroit a safe city?
The latest reports show that Detroit is generally safe for tourists, although some areas should be avoided. However, the newest crime statistics point out that violent crime is rising, and the property crime rate is following in tow.
Additionally, Detroit is one of the least safe cities in the US, so you’ll want to reconsider moving here. If you’re visiting, be aware of your surroundings and avoid staying outside at night.
Is the Detroit crime rate high?
Detroit’s crime rates are pretty high compared to the national averages. For example, the city’s violent crime rate is 426% higher than the US average, and the property crime rate is 64% higher. In addition, daily crime rates measured per 100,000 residents are 14.76. In contrast, the state’s average daily crime rate is 5.04, and the national rate is 6.43.
Where does Detroit rank in crime?
Historically, Detroit ranks as one of the most dangerous cities in the US. The latest data shows that Detroit is safer than just 3% of other American cities. Year over year, the crime rate in the city has increased by 14%.
The most common violent crime in the city is aggravated assault, while theft is the most common property crime. The number of murders is also pretty high compared to state and national averages.
Is crime worse in Chicago or Detroit?
Both Chicago and Detroit are big cities with relatively high crime rates, but Chicago still ranks better than Detroit for most crimes. For example, Chicago’s total violent crime rate is 943, while Detroit’s is 2,179.
Chicago also has lower crime rates for murder, rape, and assault but higher for robbery. Chicago’s overall property crime rate is also lower than the Detroit crime rate, although theft is less common in Detroit.
