12 Safest Places to Live in Michigan
- Grosse Ile Township
- Farmington
- Berkley
- South Lyon
- New Baltimore
- Clawson
- Birmingham
- Troy
- Royal Oak
- West Bloomfield
- Hamburg Township
- Bloomfield Township
1. Grosse Ile Township
The safest place to live in Michigan is Grose Ile Township. This city is located near Detroit in Wayne County and has a population of 10,000. The overall crime rate is very low, with 390 crimes per 100,000 people, making this city 88% safer than the US average. Grosse Ile is an isolated suburban community located on several islands near Lake Erie. Residents feel safe due to the city’s seclusion and heavy police presence.
2. Farmington
Located in the northern suburbs of metropolitan Detroit, Farmington has a population of 10,372. The crime rate in Farmington is 362 per 100,000 people, which is 85% lower than the US average. Residents have a 1 in 277 chance of becoming victims of any crime. After undergoing a major renovation in 2009, Farmington’s downtown has become a major cultural hub. The city is known for having many historic Victorian-style homes in the downtown area. The median home price in Farmington is $371,500.
3. Berkley
Berkley is another one of the safest places to live in Michigan. This small city is in Oakland County, one of the richest counties in Michigan, and has a population of 15,194. The total crime rate in Berkley is 409 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 83% lower than the national average. Residents have a 1 in 245 chance of becoming victims of any crime. Berkely is located along the Woodward Corridor, a stretch of suburban communities located along Woodward Avenue outside of Detroit. The median home price in Berkley is $306,000.
4. South Lyon
South Lyon is located in Oakland County in the Detroit area and has a population of 11,746. The overall crime rate in South Lyon is 471 per 100,000, which is 80% lower than the national average. Residents have a 1 in 213 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime. South Lyon is a suburban community with several large parks and plenty of green space. South Lyon is a highly educated community, with 42% of the population having a bachelor’s degree or higher.
5. New Baltimore
New Baltimore is also one of the safest cities in Michigan. New Baltimore is a northern Detroit suburb with a population of 12,117. The total crime rate in this city is 493 per 100,000 people, which is 79% lower than the national average. Residents have a 1 in 203 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime. New Baltimore is located along Lake St. Clair, offering fantastic lakefront views.
6. Clawson
Another safe place to live in Michigan is Clawson. Located in Oakland County, Clawson has a population of 11,825. The total crime rate in the city is 540 per 100,000 people, which is 77% lower than the national average. Residents have a 1 in 186 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime. Clawson is ideal for families looking for a suburban lifestyle outside of Detroit. The median home price in Clawson is $139,100, which is 25% lower than the national average.
7. Birmingham
Birmingham is another safe place to live in Michigan. It's a northern suburb of Detroit, located along the Woodward Corridor in Oakland County. It has a population of 21,789 and is one of the wealthiest cities in Michigan. Birmingham is home to over 20 parks and is known for its historic downtown area, which is full of shopping and dining options.
Birmingham is also a safe, family-friendly area with a total crime rate 60% lower than the national average. The violent crime rate is 91% lower than the rest of the country, while the property crime rate is 54% lower. Your chances of being the victim of a crime in Birmingham are 1 in 109, making it safer than 84% of cities in the US.
8. Troy
Troy is another one of the safest places to live in Michigan. Another peaceful suburb of Detroit, Troy, is situated about 22 miles north of downtown. It has a population of 87,294 residents, making it the largest city in Oakland County and the 13th largest in Michigan by population. Troy also features over 1,000 acres of parkland, two golf courses, a historic village, and a nature center. It's known for being one of the safest cities in Michigan, with a crime rate that's 30% lower than the national average and 20% lower than the rest of the state. The violent crime rate is 68% lower than the rest of the US and 118% lower than Michigan. Your odds of being the victim of a crime in Troy is 1 in 62.
9. Royal Oak
Royal Oak is also one of the safest cities in Michigan. Royal Oak is located in Oakland County and has a population of 58,211. Royal Oak has one of the largest populations in the Detroit suburban area and is home to much of the Detroit Zoo. The crime rate in Royal Oak is 739 per 100,000 people, with residents having a 1 in 136 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. The median home price in Royal Oak is $175,200, which is 5% lower than the national average.
10. West Bloomfield
West Bloomfield is another of the safest cities in Michigan. West Bloomfield is located in Oakland County and has a population of 65,888. West Bloomfield is located west of scenic Orchard Lake, which has a private country club located on its shore. The crime rate in West Bloomfield is 1,691 incidents per 100,000 people, which is well below the national average.
11. Hamburg Township
Hamburg Township is one of the safest towns in Michigan. It is located in Livingston County and has a population of 21,165. The crime rate in Hamburg Township is extremely low, with only 880 violent crimes and 1,200 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Hamburg is made up of three smaller townships: Hamburg, Lakeland, and Pettysville. Hamburg is a semi-rural community ideal for families looking for some distance from the Detroit area. The median home price in Hamburg is $447,000.
12. Bloomfield Township
Bloomfield Township is a charter township located in Oakland County with a population of 41,070. Bloomfield has a crime rate of 2,100 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 6.5 times lower than the national average. Bloomfield doesn’t refer to one place but rather a collection of smaller townships that make up the larger community. Bloomfield is one of the most expensive places to live in Michigan, with a median home price of $650,000.
Safest Cities in Michigan Bottom Line
Even though Michigan is better known for its dangerous cities, this list shows there are still many safe and affordable areas within the state. Every city on this list is located near the Detroit and Ann Arbor areas, which is convenient for commuters. If you are relocating to Michigan and want a safe midwestern lifestyle, one of these cities may be the right fit.