Battle Creek, MI Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Battle Creek, MI

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Battle Creek is 65.8% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 720 violent crimes reported in Battle Creek, equivalent to 1174 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 217.4%. Additionally, Battle Creek recorded 1644 property crimes, amounting to 2680 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 37.1%.

Battle Creek is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 1174 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Battle Creek is 1 in 86.

Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Battle Creek stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Battle Creek, there were a total of 10 murders, translating to 16 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Battle Creek?

AreaVibes surveyed 56 local residents in Battle Creek to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 20% of people answered that there was very little crime in Battle Creek and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 80% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Battle Creek a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Battle Creek a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Battle Creek crime rate is 66% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 6.48 crimes per day - 1.97 violent crimes and 4.5 property crimes.

Has Crime in Battle Creek Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Battle Creek crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Battle Creek has increased by 8.9% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 17.3% and property crime has increased by 5.7%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Battle Creek

Battle Creek reports an unemployment rate of 4%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Battle Creek crime rates.

Battle Creek has a population density of 1199.5 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Battle Creek crime rates.

The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Battle Creek, 84.5% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

Battle Creek crime map