Ypsilanti, MI Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Ypsilanti, MI

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Ypsilanti is 66.7% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Ypsilanti, there were 210 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1057 per 100,000 individuals, 185.8% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 560 property crimes, amounting to 2818 per 100,000 residents, 44.2% higher than the U.S. average.

With a violent crime rate of 1057 crimes per 100,000 residents, Ypsilanti is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Ypsilanti ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 95 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.

Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Ypsilanti is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 2 murders in Ypsilanti, which equates to 10 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Ypsilanti being a very dangerous place to live.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Ypsilanti?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Ypsilanti. Based on the results of the surveys (54 responses), 35% of people felt that there was very little crime in Ypsilanti and felt safe walking alone at night. While 65% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Ypsilanti a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti crime rate is 67% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 2.11 crimes per day - 0.58 violent crimes and 1.53 property crimes.

Has Crime in Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti has decreased by 2.9% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 35% and property crime has decreased by 19.2%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Ypsilanti

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Ypsilanti crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Ypsilanti has an unemployment rate of 5.9%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

Ypsilanti has a population density of 4845.3 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 Ypsilanti crime rates.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Ypsilanti, the cost of living is 5.89% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Ypsilanti crime map