Is Alpena or Grand Rapids Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Alpena is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 56/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,504 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 56% 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: Grand Rapids is 19.4x 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
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Alpena, MI
Grand Rapids, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Alpena | Grand Rapids | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,503.8 | 3,390.8 | -1,887.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 514.4 | 910.1 | -395.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.1 | -6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 158.3 | 89.8 | +68.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 116.4 | -116.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 356.2 | 697.8 | -341.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 989.3 | 2,480.7 | -1,491.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 197.9 | 267.5 | -69.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 732.1 | 1,828.9 | -1,096.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 59.4 | 384.4 | -325.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alpena or Grand Rapids safer?
Alpena is safer with a total crime rate of 1,504 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Alpena has a violent crime rate of 514.4 per 100K while Grand Rapids has 910.1. 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 Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids, Michigan, a city on the Grand River, is known as "Furniture City" due to its rich manufacturing history. It's the second-largest city in Michigan, with a diverse population. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 195,913, Grand Rapids has a total crime rate of 3,390.8 per 100,000 residents.