Is Grand Rapids or Wayne Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wayne is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 40/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,995 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 41% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Wayne has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 11.6x 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
Wayne — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Wayne, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Wayne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 1,995.2 | +1,395.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 692.7 | +217.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 5.9 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 82.9 | +7.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 53.3 | +63.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 550.6 | +147.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 1,302.5 | +1,178.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 183.5 | +83.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 769.6 | +1,059.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 349.3 | +35.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Wayne safer?
Wayne is safer with a total crime rate of 1,995 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Wayne has 692.7. Wayne 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 Wayne, MI
Wayne, Michigan, a western suburb of Detroit, was once home to a Ford Motor Company assembly plant. This city in Wayne County has a population of around 17,000 residents. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 16,891, Wayne has a total crime rate of 1,995.2 per 100,000 residents.