Is Grand Rapids or Niles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Niles is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 31/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,352 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 31% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Niles has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 16.9x 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
Niles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Niles, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Niles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 2,351.7 | +1,039.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 475.5 | +434.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 0.0 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 112.4 | -22.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 25.9 | +90.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 337.2 | +360.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 1,876.2 | +604.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 224.8 | +42.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 1,495.8 | +333.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 155.6 | +228.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Niles safer?
Niles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,352 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Niles has 475.5. Niles 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 Niles, MI
Niles, Michigan, straddles the St. Joseph River, near the Indiana border. This historic city, home to the Fort St. Joseph Museum, has a population of around 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 11,566, Niles has a total crime rate of 2,351.7 per 100,000 residents.