F
89%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
113%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
85%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleDowagiac/100k peopleMichigan/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime246n/a (estimate)4,4001,9982,324
Murder0n/a0.06.96.3
Rape9n/a161.064.840.0
Robbery6n/a107.336.666.1
Assault29n/a518.7352.7268.2
Violent crime44n/a (estimate)787461370
Burglary7n/a125.2214.3269.8
Theft177n/a3,165.81,055.31,401.9
Vehicle theft18n/a321.9267.2282.7
Property crime202n/a (estimate)3,6131,5371,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Dowagiac, 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 Dowagiac is 89.3% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 44 violent crimes reported in Dowagiac, equivalent to 787 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 112.8%. Additionally, Dowagiac recorded 202 property crimes, amounting to 3613 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 84.9%.

With a crime rate of 4400 per 100,000 residents, Dowagiac has a crime rate that is 89.31% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in Dowagiac that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.

Dowagiac has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 787 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Dowagiac falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 128 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.

In the most recently reported crime year, Dowagiac registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

With a property crime rate of 3613 crimes per 100,000 people, Dowagiac unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Dowagiac is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 28, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.

Is Dowagiac a Safe Place to Live?

Is Dowagiac a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Dowagiac has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 89%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.67 daily incidents, encompassing 0.12 violent crimes and 0.55 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Dowagiac as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Dowagiac Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Dowagiac. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Dowagiac has increased by 13.4%. Violent crimes have increased by 10%, while property crimes have increased by 14.1%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Dowagiac

In Dowagiac, 70.3% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Dowagiac is $74,700, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Dowagiac, the average monthly rent stands at $611, while the national average is $949 per month.

Dowagiac crime map



The Dowagiac crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Dowagiac as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Dowagiac crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Dowagiac crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Dowagiac, MI Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Dowagiac crime rates are 89% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Dowagiac are 113% higher than the national average
      • In Dowagiac you have a 1 in 23 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Dowagiac is safer than 6% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Dowagiac has increased by 12%

      Dowagiac, MI Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Dowagiac (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Dowagiac, per 100,000 residents. In Dowagiac, the total number of daily crimes is 2.20 times more than the Michigan average and 1.89 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Dowagiac are 1.71 times more than the Michigan average and 2.13 times more than the national average. For property crime, Dowagiac has a daily crime rate that is 2.35 times more than the Michigan average and 1.85 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Dowagiac (higher is better)

        How safe is Dowagiac, Michigan compared to other cities in Michigan and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Dowagiac is safer than 7% of the cities in Michigan and 6% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Michigan and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Dowagiac. Overall, Dowagiac is ranked above average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Dowagiac

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Dowagiac is 1 in 128
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Dowagiac is 1 in 28
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Dowagiac is 1 in 23
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Dowagiac, Michigan you have a 1 in 128 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 28 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 23 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Dowagiac.

        Year Over Year Crime In Dowagiac (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Dowagiac is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Dowagiac has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have increased by 9% in Dowagiac, while property crimes in Dowagiac have increased by 13%. Total crime has increased by 12% year over year.

        Dowagiac police department

        Item Dowagiac Michigan National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1510,515558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.62.13.3
        There are a total of 15 Dowagiac police officers. This results in 2.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 24.1% greater than the Michigan average and 21.1% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Michigan

        State Total offenders Michigan /100K National /100K
        Michigan40,460414266
        There are a total of 40,460 sex offenders in Michigan. This yields a total of 414 sex offenders in Michigan per 100,000 residents which is 56% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Eau Claire, MI763000
        Berrien Springs, MI1,652189629817
        Coloma, MI1,315203676879
        Edwardsburg, MI1,115221738960
        Cassopolis, MI1,6842967101,007
        Lawton, MI1,5331081,2431,351
        Watervliet, MI2,0822451,3461,590
        Dowagiac, MI5,6957873,6134,400

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Lucerne Valley, CA5,6946342,9713,605
        Palm Springs North, FL5,6941519121,062
        Fairview, NY5,6934481,7962,244
        Fellsmere, FL5,6922211,0041,225
        South Tucson, AZ5,6922,40213,29115,693
        Dowagiac, MI5,6957873,6134,400
        Source: The Dowagiac, MI crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.