Oak Park, MI Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Oak Park, MI

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Oak Park crime rate is higher than the national average by 10.2%. Specifically, there were 105 violent crimes in Oak Park, equivalent to 361 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 2.5%. Furthermore, Oak Park recorded 641 property crimes, amounting to 2202 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 12.7%.

When evaluating the Oak Park crime rate for every 100,000 residents, it positions itself in the middle range among all cities that reported crime. Our examination of total offenses, spanning both violent and property crimes, indicates that the reported Oak Park crime rates closely correspond to the national average reported by other regions.

When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Oak Park maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 361 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 370. This alignment suggests that Oak Park shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.

Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Oak Park has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 3 murders in Oak Park, which is 10 murders per 100,000 people.

Oak Park exhibits a property crime rate closely aligned with the national average. There were 2202 reported property crimes, which closely matches the national average of 1954 per 100,000 people. Consequently, the area's safety profile mirrors that of an average city, neither notably safer nor more dangerous than the norm. This balance suggests that Oak Park maintains a consistent approach to property crime prevention in line with the broader national landscape.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Oak Park ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 139 vehicle thefts, amounting to 477 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Oak Park within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 210.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Oak Park?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Oak Park. Based on the results of the surveys (11 responses), 73% of people felt that there was very little crime in Oak Park and felt safe walking alone at night. While 27% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Oak Park a Safe Place to Live?

Is Oak Park 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, Oak Park has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 10%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 2.04 daily incidents, encompassing 0.29 violent crimes and 1.76 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Oak Park as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Oak Park Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Oak Park. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Oak Park has increased by 62.5%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 20.7%, while property crime has increased by 72.3%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Oak Park.

Potential Causes for Crime in Oak Park

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Oak Park, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 4.5%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

Oak Park has a population density of 5721.2 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Oak Park crime rates.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Oak Park has a median home price of $129,800, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Oak Park crime map