Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Bay City, MI has a Safety Score of 30/100 — higher crime than 70% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,432.0 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,092 of 2,971 US cities and #72 of 102 in Michigan.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Bay City, Michigan Safe?
Bay City, Michigan, a port city on the Saginaw River near Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay, was once a major lumbering center. Its population is approximately 32,000, with a median age of around 40.
Bay City has a safety score of 30/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,432.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Bay City ranks #72 out of 102 cities in Michigan and #2092 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 30th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 70% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Bay City is rape, at 106.6 per 100K — 2.5x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Bay City's total crime rate decreased by 5.6%, with violent crime declining 9.5%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Bay City Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 180 | 564.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 6.3 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 34 | 106.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 11 | 34.5 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 133 | 416.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 596 | 1,867.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 79 | 247.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 443 | 1,388.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 74 | 231.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Bay City vs Michigan Average
How does Bay City's crime rate compare to the Michigan state average?
| Metric | Bay City | Michigan Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 564.1 | 637.8 | -11.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,867.9 | 1,951.4 | -4.3% |
| Murder Rate | 6.3 | 7.5 | -16.5% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,432.0 | 2,589.2 | -6.1% |
Bay City Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Bay City, Michigan.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31,908 | 2,432.0 | 564.1 | 1,867.9 |
| 2023 | 32,099 | 2,576.4 | 623.1 | 1,953.3 |
| 2022 | 32,249 | 1,786.1 | 573.7 | 1,212.4 |
| 2021 | 32,200 | 2,347.8 | 770.2 | 1,577.6 |
| 2020 | 32,485 | 2,410.3 | 858.9 | 1,551.5 |
| 2019 | 32,793 | 2,820.7 | 826.4 | 1,994.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bay City, Michigan safe?
Bay City has a safety score of 30/100, meaning it has less crime than about 30% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,432.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Bay City is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Bay City, Michigan?
According to FBI data for 2024, Bay City has a violent crime rate of 564.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,867.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does Bay City compare to the national average?
Bay City's total crime rate of 2,432.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 31,908 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Bay City?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Bay City include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Bay City safe to visit?
Like any city, Bay City has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 30/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.