Is Alpena or Detroit Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Alpena is safer than Detroit (Safety Score 56/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 1,504 per 100,000 versus 6,087 for Detroit — 75% lower. Alpena has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Alpena has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Detroit is 64.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Alpena — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Detroit — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Alpena, MI
Detroit, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Alpena | Detroit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,503.8 | 6,086.9 | -4,583.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 514.4 | 1,781.6 | -1,267.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 31.2 | -31.2 |
| Rape Rate | 158.3 | 92.9 | +65.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 183.5 | -183.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 356.2 | 1,473.7 | -1,117.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 989.3 | 4,305.3 | -3,316.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 197.9 | 703.0 | -505.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 732.1 | 2,343.9 | -1,611.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 59.4 | 1,258.4 | -1,199.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alpena or Detroit safer?
Alpena is safer with a total crime rate of 1,504 per 100K vs 6,087 for Detroit — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Alpena has a violent crime rate of 514.4 per 100K while Detroit has 1,781.6. Alpena has lower violent crime.
About Alpena, MI
Alpena, Michigan, "The Sanctuary of the Great Lakes," is a small city on Lake Huron. It's known for its limestone quarries and the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 10,108, Alpena has a total crime rate of 1,503.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Detroit, MI
Detroit, once the "Motor City" and heart of the American auto industry, sits on the Detroit River, bordering Canada. This major Midwest city has a diverse population, with a significant African American heritage shaping its vibrant culture. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 651,171, Detroit has a total crime rate of 6,086.9 per 100,000 residents.