Sterling Heights, MI — Crime Rate & Safety
Population 134K · 2023 FBI UCR Data
Sterling Heights, MI has a violent crime rate of 203.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% below the national average of 363.8. The property crime rate is 2,019 per 100,000, 10% above the national average. Over the past 5 years, crime in Sterling Heights has decreased by 9.0%.Sterling Heights receives a Safety Context Score of B (73/100) based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Reading this data in context: Sterling Heights's violent crime rate of 203.9 per 100,000 residents is 44% below the national average. Over the past 5 years, the overall crime rate has decreased (-9.0%). Crime data reflects reported incidents and does not capture the full picture of neighborhood safety. All crime statistics are compiled from the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which aggregates data reported by local law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Crime Rate Breakdown (per 100K residents)
All rates per 100,000 residents. National average shown for comparison.
5-Year Crime Rate Trend
Per-capita rates per 100,000 residents
Frequently Asked Questions
Sterling Heights has a Safety Context Score of B (73/100). The violent crime rate is 203.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 363.8. Over the past 5 years, overall crime has decreased (-9.0%).
Sterling Heights's violent crime rate is 203.9 per 100,000 residents and property crime rate is 2,019 per 100,000. These are per-capita rates based on FBI UCR data, which provide a more accurate comparison than raw crime counts.
Sterling Heights's 5-year crime trend shows a -9.0% change. Crime rates have been decreasing, which is a positive sign. Always look at long-term trends rather than single-year changes.
Sterling Heights's violent crime rate of 203.9 per 100K is below the national average of 363.8. The property crime rate of 2,019 per 100K is above the national average of 1,832.
Based on 2023 FBI data, Sterling Heights earns a Safety Context Score of B (73/100). With below-average crime rates, Sterling Heights compares favorably to most US cities. The 5-year trend is improving, which is an important factor for anyone considering relocation. Crime statistics represent city-wide averages and vary significantly by neighborhood.
The most common crime type in Sterling Heights is larceny-theft at 1,333 per 100,000 residents. Overall, property crime (2,019/100K) is significantly more common than violent crime (203.9/100K), which is typical for most US cities. Motor vehicle theft is 282.7/100K below the national average of 318.3.
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All crime rates are per 100,000 residents. Safety Context Scores are calculated using per-capita violent crime (40%), per-capita property crime (30%), and 5-year trend direction (30%), all compared to national averages.