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Ferndale, MI vs Sterling Heights, MI Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Ferndale crime rate · Sterling Heights crime rate

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Is Ferndale, MI or Sterling Heights, MI Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Sterling Heights, MI is safer than Ferndale, MI (Safety Score 64/100 vs 49/100), with a total crime rate of 1,273 per 100,000 versus 1,733 for Ferndale, MI — 27% lower. Ferndale has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Ferndale has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Sterling Heights is 7.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Ferndale, MI?

Ferndale — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Sterling Heights — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Ferndale, MI

Ferndale, MI
Safety Score 49/100
Coverage 19,041
Total Crime Rate 1,733.1
Category Wins 2/7

Sterling Heights, MI

Sterling Heights, MI
Safety Score 64/100
Coverage 133,058
Total Crime Rate 1,273.1
Category Wins 5/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Ferndale Sterling Heights Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,733.1 1,273.1 +460.0
Violent Crime Rate 204.8 230.7 -25.9
Murder Rate 0.0 0.8 -0.8
Rape Rate 26.3 30.8 -4.6
Robbery Rate 26.3 15.0 +11.2
Aggravated Assault Rate 152.3 182.6 -30.3
Property Crime Rate 1,528.3 1,042.4 +485.9
Burglary Rate 168.1 76.7 +91.4
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,008.4 789.1 +219.2
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 351.9 176.6 +175.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Ferndale, MI to Sterling Heights, MI?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ferndale or Sterling Heights safer?

Sterling Heights, MI is safer with a total crime rate of 1,273 per 100K vs 1,733 for Ferndale, MI — a 27% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Ferndale has a violent crime rate of 204.8 per 100K while Sterling Heights has 230.7. Ferndale has lower violent crime.

About Ferndale, MI

Ferndale, Michigan, a compact urban community in Oakland County, is known for its vibrant downtown and historic early 20th-century housing stock. Positioned just north of Detroit, it attracts a diverse, progressive population. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 19,041, Ferndale has a total crime rate of 1,733.1 per 100,000 residents.

About Sterling Heights, MI

Sterling Heights, Michigan, a Detroit suburb, is the second-largest city in Macomb County. Once a farming community known for its rhubarb, it now boasts a diverse population exceeding 130,000 residents. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 133,058, Sterling Heights has a total crime rate of 1,273.1 per 100,000 residents.

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