Is Grand Rapids or Portage Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portage is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 15/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 3,252 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 4% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portage has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 4.0x 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
Portage — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Portage, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Portage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 3,252.0 | +138.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 277.2 | +632.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 0.0 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 48.6 | +41.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 20.2 | +96.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 208.4 | +489.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 2,974.8 | -494.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 269.1 | -1.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 2,545.7 | -716.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 159.9 | +224.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Portage safer?
Portage is safer with a total crime rate of 3,252 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Portage has 277.2. Portage 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 Portage, MI
Portage, Michigan, a Kalamazoo suburb, grew significantly after World War II. It's home to the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, and its population is predominantly white, with a median age of around 40. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 49,416, Portage has a total crime rate of 3,252.0 per 100,000 residents.