Is Grand Rapids or Shelby Township Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Shelby Township is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 85/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 706 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 79% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Shelby Township has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 2.4x 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
Shelby Township — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Shelby Township, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Shelby Township | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 706.4 | +2,684.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 163.8 | +746.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 0.0 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 35.0 | +54.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 6.3 | +110.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 118.8 | +579.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 542.6 | +1,938.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 45.0 | +222.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 411.3 | +1,417.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 86.3 | +298.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Shelby Township safer?
Shelby Township is safer with a total crime rate of 706 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 79% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Shelby Township has 163.8. Shelby Township 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 Shelby Township, MI
Shelby Township, Michigan, a sprawling community north of Detroit, developed from a primarily agricultural area along the Clinton River. Its population has grown significantly, with many residents commuting to neighboring cities for work. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 79,985, Shelby Township has a total crime rate of 706.4 per 100,000 residents.