Is Coldwater or Grand Rapids Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Coldwater is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 54/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,581 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 53% lower. Coldwater has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Coldwater has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 13.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Coldwater — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Coldwater, MI
Grand Rapids, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Coldwater | Grand Rapids | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,581.2 | 3,390.8 | -1,809.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 238.6 | 910.1 | -671.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.1 | -6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 81.8 | 89.8 | -8.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 116.4 | -116.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 156.8 | 697.8 | -541.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,342.7 | 2,480.7 | -1,138.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 68.2 | 267.5 | -199.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,185.9 | 1,828.9 | -642.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 88.6 | 384.4 | -295.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coldwater or Grand Rapids safer?
Coldwater is safer with a total crime rate of 1,581 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Coldwater has a violent crime rate of 238.6 per 100K while Grand Rapids has 910.1. Coldwater has lower violent crime.
About Coldwater, MI
Coldwater, Michigan, the county seat of Branch County, boasts a historic downtown centered around the beautiful Tibbits Opera House. Located along US-12, it's a small city with a population under 15,000. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 14,672, Coldwater has a total crime rate of 1,581.2 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.