Is Grand Rapids or Kentwood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kentwood is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 27/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,570 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 24% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Kentwood has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 3.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kentwood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Kentwood, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Kentwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 2,570.0 | +820.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 387.8 | +522.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 1.9 | +4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 59.4 | +30.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 37.1 | +79.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 289.5 | +408.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 2,182.2 | +298.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 215.3 | +52.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 1,616.2 | +212.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 350.7 | +33.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Kentwood safer?
Kentwood is safer with a total crime rate of 2,570 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Kentwood has 387.8. Kentwood has lower violent crime.
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.
About Kentwood, MI
Kentwood, Michigan, a diverse suburb south of Grand Rapids, grew significantly after the construction of Rogers Plaza in the 1960s. It encompasses a substantial portion of the southern Grand Rapids metropolitan area, with a population exceeding 50,000. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 53,891, Kentwood has a total crime rate of 2,570.0 per 100,000 residents.