Is Grand Rapids or Southgate Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Southgate is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 29/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,467 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 27% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Southgate has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 6.8x 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
Southgate — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Southgate, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Southgate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 2,466.7 | +924.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 449.5 | +460.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 0.0 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 31.4 | +58.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 31.4 | +85.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 383.3 | +314.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 2,017.3 | +463.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 181.2 | +86.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 1,543.5 | +285.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 292.7 | +91.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Southgate safer?
Southgate is safer with a total crime rate of 2,467 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Southgate has 449.5. Southgate 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 Southgate, MI
Southgate, Michigan, a Downriver community, was incorporated from parts of Ecorse and Taylor townships. It is home to a significant portion of Wayne County's population, with a diverse mix of residential and commercial areas. With a safety score of 29/100 and a population coverage of 28,702, Southgate has a total crime rate of 2,466.7 per 100,000 residents.