Which cities come to mind when you hear of Michigan? Detroit? Maybe Grand Rapids? Possibly Kalamazoo or Ann Arbor? These are awesome cities to live in, considering the joie de vivre and overall charm they exude. But are they the safest? Discover the top-rated, safest places in Michigan. Explore these ideal neighborhoods for peaceful living.
Is Crime in Michigan Really A Problem?
We all know that the Great Lake State, as Michigan is popularly called, gets caught up in the news for criminal-related activities, with cities like Detroit and Saginaw having some of the highest crime rates in the country.
However, that isn’t to say that the entire state has a predisposition to crime. Not at all, far from it, actually. There are a number of safe and peaceful cities that are pretty much ideal for living in. It may surprise you, but some neighborhoods may be under the radar but are surprisingly safe—even within Detroit.
So, in this guide, we bring you the five safest and most livable places to explore in Michigan—be it in the Upper or Lower Peninsula.
Addison Township
Coming in at number one is Addison Township, a 36.58 square miles (94.74 km2) civil township nestled in northeast Oakland County in Michigan. Named after the pioneer settler of Michigan Addison Chamberlain, this suburb of Detroit is voted the safest in the entire state based on research conducted by SafeWise. It boasts a population of over 6,200 residents whose ethnic and economic diversity is rated C+, according to Niche.
The median income in Addison Township is $95,211, while the median home value and median rent are $406,400 and $992 respectively. When it comes to crime and safety, the little town conveniently earns a B rating based on violent and property crime rates, and you’d be surprised to learn that there is zero murder, robbery, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.
Considering that the township sits near the center of the Detroit-Flint-Port Huron triangle and is home to the famous Strawberry Festival hosted in Leonard, it’s safe to say that you can’t run out of fun-filled activities to do here. The southern area of the city sports Addison Oaks County Park, where you’ll find the paved Buhl Lake Loop, a popular 2.5-mile (4.0-km) loop trail for road biking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing.
Kinross Charter Township
Established in 1899, Kinross is the second safest place in Michigan you might want to consider living in and raising a family in for several reasons, the first being is that it’s a quiet and charming charter township centrally located in Chippewa County, right on the east side of the Upper Peninsula—halfway between Sault Ste and the Mackinac Bridge. This means that you get to enjoy a suburban rural feel to the township.
Residents here, totaling 7,069, are mostly homeowners and tend to lean conservative. The best part is that the median home value is affordable, so much so that it’s less than half the national average at $104,700, while the median rent is $819. The public schools are above average and rated B+ and more than 31% of the locals have some college or associate’s degree, which makes it a good place to learn and grow.
Kinross Charter Township earns a B for crime and safety, as there is zero assault, murder, robbery, and burglary every year. To top it off, the community is welcoming and supportive, with a low cost of living and unemployment rate, but keep in mind that the median household income is $56,500, which is less than the national average.
Iron Mountain, Dickson County
If you’re looking for a town that offers a sparse urban feel, amazing nightlife, and a family-supportive environment, then look no further than Iron Mountain, which takes the third spot on our list. In this vibrant town with a population of over 7,500 residents, you’ll find an endless lineup of bars, restaurants, boutiques, farmers, and artisan markets, as well as a wide range of outdoor recreation. Like Kinross, residents here tend to be conservative and the public schools are above average and rated B-.
About 76% of the residents are homeowners, and the typical home value you’ll come across here is $112,000. With $710, you can conveniently rent an apartment in many neighborhoods. Once here, you can’t ignore the lip-smacking pasties and Italian dishes for which the city is notable, apart from the World Cup ski jumps and bocce ball tournaments.
Even more interesting is the fact that Iron Mountain scores an A for crime and safety. There is zero assault, murder, burglary, theft (including motor vehicle theft), rape, and robbery—yes, you read that right. You can openly walk around in this city without having to look over your shoulders every few minutes.
Thetford Township, Flint Area
If you’ve been skeptical about visiting or living in Flint, Thetford might just change your mind. Thetford Township is the fourth safest place for singles and families alike in Michigan, and it’s located in Genesee County, about 14.6 miles (23.5 kilometers) away from the heart of Flint. The small city has a rich history, with its origins dating back to the 19th century, and is home to more than 7,000 permanent residents, of which 84% are homeowners.
The overall feel you get in this suburb is mostly rural, with a hint of urbanization, and the community is generally tight-knit and accommodating, making it a great place to start a family or escape the hustle and bustle of big-city life. In terms of safety, it earns an A+, with zero murders, burglaries, rape, thefts (including motor vehicle thefts), and assaults yearly.
For renters, the real estate market here is highly favorable and affordable, with the median rent clocking in at $644. This means that you can be part of the 16% of renters in the city and live comfortably.
What’s more, the median home value is $162,200, which is lower than the national average, while the median household income is $69,890.
Hamburg Township, Livingston County
Hamburg is one of the fastest-growing cities in Michigan with a population of over 21,000 residents, which makes it one of the best places to live in. Thousands of visitors troop in here every year thanks to the place’s serene and picturesque surroundings such as the chain of lakes (including the all-sports Rush Lake, Ore Lake, and Strawberry Lake), local museums, parks, and campsites. The area is predominantly rural, as 95% of the residents are homeowners, but bear in mind that acquiring a home here can be quite expensive, with the median home value pegged at $332,2000.
Rent isn’t cheap either, as you’d need to fork out $1,300 on average to live here. Crime isn’t non-existent, but then again, the township gets an A- for safety, making it a good place if you’re serious about moving to Michigan. You should also know that the median income is $107,829, which is higher than the national average.
Safety Tips for Traveling or Living in Michigan
There’s no doubt that Michigan is one of the most beautiful states in the country and is ranked 22nd in the report on safest states in America, according to CBS. However, as with any other destination, there are safety concerns to consider. Here are some tips that can keep you generally safe in the state:
· Secure your valuables, especially jewelry. While the crime rate in some cities is low, there’s still a chance of you being mugged or pick-pocketed.
· Reverse search the address of the place where you’re living or staying on Nuwber to find out if there are registered sex offenders in the area.
· Update your loved ones on where you’d be staying, who you’d be seeing, and how they can get in touch with you or provide help if something goes wrong.
· Use indoor ATMs anytime you want to withdraw money or check your balance, especially after business hours or when it’s dark.
Final Thoughts About the Safest Place In Michigan
Well, there you have it! The five safest places in Michigan you might consider calling home. Each of these locations offers something special to different budgets, demographics, family types, and cultures. So, we hope you do your own research and make an informed decision about where you’d like to live in the state of Michigan.
