10 Most Dangerous Cities in Michigan and How to Stay Safe

In Michigan, the violent crime and property crime rates are close to the USA averages. However, certain cities face much higher crime rates than others. For example, Benton Harbor and Saginaw report violent crime rates roughly 4 to 5 times the Michigan average.

In Detroit, Flint, and other cities, high poverty, unemployment, and urban blight drive violent incidents. While many communities remain safe, new residents or travelers need to understand which Michigan cities have the highest crime rates.

Read on to discover the top 10 most dangerous cities in Michigan. Stay till the end to learn some practical safety tips that can help protect you in high-crime areas.

Is Michigan Dangerous? Quick Answer

No, Michigan is relatively safer, as this state as a whole has crime rates around the national average. Some small cities see extremely high crime rates, whereas many suburbs and rural towns remain very safe.

According to the FBI reports, this state has reported around 434.3 violent crimes per 100k residents. Its property crime incidents are also moderate, with the number reaching around 1378 per 100,000 people.

On top of that, there were over 529 murders and 5726 rape incidents reported according to the 2024 FBI data. However, these numbers are overall lower than the national average, making this state relatively safer.

How We Collected Data to Rank Michigan’s Cities?

Based on the FBI’s 2024 Uniform Crime Reports (UCR), we analyzed data from Table 8 – Offenses Known to Law Enforcement by State by City to evaluate crime across Michigan. For each city, we calculated the total crime rate per 100,000 residents using the formula:

Total Crime Rate (per 100,000) = (Violent Crime + Property Crime) / Population × 100,000

This calculation provides a standardized way to compare crime levels across cities of different sizes. After compiling the data, we ranked all Michigan cities according to their total crime rates and identified the top 10 most dangerous cities in the state.

Moving forward, we also cross-checked each city’s crime profile via NeighborhoodScout, which analyzes FBI data to give crime rates. Additionally, we referenced user-reported indices from state FBI summaries for homicide counts.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Michigan Based on Crimes

According to recent FBI-derived data, Michigan’s ten most dangerous cities are shown below. Explore the table below to get a quick comparison, and read ahead to learn their crime statistics in detail.

1. Benton Harbor

Benton Harbor tops Michigan’s crime list, having over 1874 violent crimes per 100k. Overall, the crime rate is 403% above the state norm, driven by a record number of assaults (1969), murders (23), and robberies (135).

Socioeconomic factors play a role, as Benton Harbor has high poverty and documented gang activity. Local reports note that most crime concentrates in the city’s west and south sides (with much safer areas like the Fair Plain neighborhood).

2. Highland Park

Highland Park is an independent city surrounded by Detroit, having 3091 violent crimes per 100k (296% above the state average). Assaults make up most incidents, with the numbers reaching nearly 1,400 per 100k people. Deindustrialization has devastated this small city because jobs have become scarce.

These factors, coupled with easy gun access, fuel frequent violent incidents. Only a few neighborhoods (Highland Park West) of this most dangerous Michigan city are slightly calmer.

3. Detroit

Detroit is Michigan’s largest city and has one of the nation’s highest crime rates. Its violent crime rate is 349% above the state average, with 1781 violent crimes per 100k. FBI data finds Detroit’s overall crime rate is 61 crimes per 1,000 residents, meaning about 1 in 15 people are victimized yearly.

Some well-kept areas (like Sherwood Forest) are relatively safe, but eastside and southwest neighborhoods see frequent shootings and robberies. Reported crimes peaked downtown and in the West and Southwest Sides.

4. Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo suffers from a violent crime rate of 1283 per 100k (173% above average). On top of that, its 1 in 18 chance of being a crime victim is worse than 99% of the USA cities. Crime tends to cluster in downtown areas, and areas around Western Michigan University are much safer.

Moreover, Kalamazoo struggles with substance abuse and property theft, which drive these figures. Residents are advised to consult local crime maps and use smartphone apps for safety updates when navigating the city.

5. Albion

Albion is a small city with very high crime for its size, as it reports around 1317 violent crimes per 100k (191% above the state average). Moreover, its overall crime rate of 41 per 1,000 is over 97% higher than that of the rest of the USA communities.

This most dangerous Michigan city’s poverty and a large student population (Albion College) are factors. Some parts near the college campus (City Center) are relatively safer, but crime spikes in poorer residential areas to the west.

6. Saginaw

Saginaw ranks as Michigan’s most dangerous cities, with over 2200 violent crimes per 100k (395% above Michigan’s average). With its 1 in 44 odds of violent victimization, residents face a serious safety challenge. Moreover, poverty and unemployment have increased since the manufacturing decline.

Neighborhood crime varies sharply, as the eastern neighborhoods (and parts of north Saginaw) are most dangerous, whereas the far northwest is relatively safe. When visiting, be especially cautious in the city’s east end and downtown after dark.

7. Lansing

Lansing’s violent crime rate (1345 per 100k) is 206% above Michigan’s average. For residents, 3.84 violent crimes occur per day, with a 1 in 71 chance of violent victimization. In short, Lansing has a total crime rate of 38.5 per 1,000.

However, the downtown and certain older Eastside neighborhoods experience more shootings and robberies. Rising crimes in Lansing have been linked to economic disparity between city cores and suburbs.

8. Battle Creek

Battle Creek faces high crime numbers due to persistent economic hardship and disinvestment. This dangerous Michigan city had over 1121 violent crimes per 100k and 3.55 per day. Its overall crime rate is around 36.5 per 1000, with a 1 in 23 chance of any crime.

Downtown and the west side of this city have the most robberies and assaults, whereas newer suburbs like Level Park are quite safe. For families moving in, avoiding the inner city areas after dark is wise.

9. Ecorse

Ecorse, across the river from Detroit, has a violent crime rate of around 851 per 100k people. Its violent crime is heavy on assaults (1133), robberies (132), and rape (55). Other reports show that its total crime rate is about 28 per 1000, which translates to 1 in 30 chances of victimization.

This small city has seen economic decline and an increase in drug-related violence. Moreover, areas around the city center and public housing projects should be avoided, especially at night.

10. Flint

With an F crime rating, Flint has a violent crime rate of 1257 per 100k, which is 211% above Michigan’s average. FBI 2024 report confirms Flint’s overall crime rate of 25.7 per 1000 is among the nation’s worst.

Local gangs and drugs have increased violent incidents in Michigan's most dangerous cities. However, crime isn’t uniform across Flint. The northwest “Circle” area and college neighborhoods are notably safer.

What Makes These Michigan Cities So Dangerous?

Across Michigan, a common pattern links poverty and crime. The cities above suffer from:

• Economic Decline: Once-thriving manufacturing cities faced massive factory closures, leaving widespread unemployment. The resulting poverty and financial stress have fueled higher rates of robbery and violent disputes.
• High Poverty and Inequality: Cities like Detroit and Flint record poverty rates above 30%, far higher than national averages. Economic inequality drives desperation, increasing violent crimes and gang-related conflicts.
• Gang and Drug-Related Violence: Gang presence and narcotics trafficking intensify violence in the most dangerous cities in Michigan. Drug disputes and territorial conflicts frequently lead to shootings and assaults, making many neighborhoods unsafe.
• Limited Policy: Underfunded police departments and few youth programs reduce proactive crime prevention. Without adequate investment, law enforcement struggles to control repeat offenders and provide consistent safety coverage.

How to Stay Safe in the Most Dangerous Cities in Michigan?

Fortunately, combining vigilance with modern security tech can keep you safer from the crimes above. The following tips will help you protect yourself and your property:

Tip 1. Avoid Deserted Areas at Night

Try not to walk alone after dark. Use main roads and well-traveled routes instead of alleys or shortcuts. Travel with friends whenever possible, especially late. Plan your route ahead and let someone know where you’re going.

Tip 2. Maintain Strong Home Locks and Lighting

Even without high-tech gadgets, simple upgrades like strong locks and bright lighting greatly improve security. You should consider eufy Smart Locks, which offer keyless fingerprint access and instant app control for added convenience.

Pair them with eufy Floodlight Cameras, which automatically light up and record when motion is detected. These dual-purpose lights deter intruders while giving you a clear view of what’s happening outside.

Tip 3. Have an Emergency Plan and Contacts Ready

Residents should save local non-emergency police and hospital numbers in their phone. When visiting, you should share your daily schedule or travel plan with a trusted friend. Keep a charged phone and flashlights handy for emergency situations.

Tip 4. Enhance Home Surveillance with Smart Cameras

Most of the time, installing visible security cameras proves to be the best option to deter burglars and monitor your property. For this purpose, eufy security cameras offer 2K video, night vision, and motion alerts.

They store footage locally and send instant alerts to your phone when someone approaches. All these features help you act fast and protect your home in the most dangerous Michigan cities.

Tip 5. Invest in an Advanced Home Security System

In high-crime Michigan cities, an advanced system adds vital protection. The eufy ExpertSecure System E10, for instance, comes with a central hub, sensors, cameras, video doorbells, and more, to protect all entry points. Moreover, it features end-to-end encryption (so only you can view the footage) and AI-powered intrusion detection.

With the eufy system armed through the app, you can rest easy knowing your Michigan home is being watched over around the clock. If a door opens unexpectedly, you’ll get an instant alert, and the monitoring team will review the live video feed to confirm what’s happening.

When it’s a genuine break-in, they’ll contact you immediately and alert local authorities. And even during Michigan’s frequent power outages or harsh winter storms, the system’s 24-hour backup battery ensures your home stays protected without interruption.

Safest Michigan Cities for Families (Low Crime Areas)

In contrast to the most dangerous cities in Michigan, many towns have very low crime rates. The top five safest cities include:

• Huntington Woods: This city reports only 353 crimes per 100k (94% below state avg). Moreover, well-funded police and active neighborhood watches keep it secure.
• South Lyon: With only 379 crimes per 100k, this city is one of the safest. Its strong community initiatives and police presence yield only a 1 in 264 chance of being a victim.
• Rochester: A small city in Michigan with just 424 crimes per 100k people. Community meetings and vigilant policing have driven crime well below state levels (87% lower).
• Berkley: At 444 crimes per 100k people, Berkley is 85% safer than the Michigan average. Its well-lit streets and school partnerships make this city perfect for families.
• Grand Ledge: With 500 crimes per 100k, Grand Ledge is 92% safer than Michigan’s average. The town’s community policing and crime-prevention education keep it very safe.

Conclusion

Michigan’s crime problem is concentrated in a few cities suffering from poverty and social issues, while many communities remain safe. If you live in or visit the most dangerous cities in Michigan, avoid risky areas (especially at night) and improve your security with technology.

For advanced security, eufy’s ExpertSecure system is a perfect option. With real-time alerts and AI detection, this system helps monitor your home even when crime rates are high nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many murders happen in Michigan per year?

Recent state reports show roughly 680 to 760 homicides annually in Michigan. That works out to around 6 to 7 killings per 100,000 residents. These figures can fluctuate yearly, but generally, Michigan sees on the order of 700 murders each year.

What is the most common crime in Michigan?

Property crimes dominate Michigan’s totals. By far the most frequent offense is larceny-theft, as Michigan recorded 104,416 such crimes. Motor vehicle theft and burglary also occur, but larceny makes up the bulk of reported crimes (nearly 68% of property crimes).

Which Michigan city has the highest crime rate?

Detroit’s overall crime rate is the highest in Michigan. NeighborhoodScout reports Detroit had about 66 crimes per 1000 residents, roughly 1 in 15 people. Detroit ranks at the top for both violent and total crimes per capita in Michigan. Benton Harbor has the worst violent crime rate per 100k, but Detroit has the highest combined crime rate.