MichiganLocated in the Great Lakes region of the U.S., Michigan is the tenth most populous U.S. state and is home to 9.9 million people.  The only state to consist of two peninsulas, it has the longest freshwater coastline in the U.S. due to being bounded by five of the Great Lakes.   If living in The Wolverine State is on your agenda, you’ll find plenty of recreation and natural water sources to satisfy your needs.  Here is our list of the 50 safest cities in Michigan for 2016 to help you make your choice.

Related: Check out our Michigan Public Records guide.
Our list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary backgroundchecks.org research data.  Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 427 for violent crime and 2,044 for property crime.  This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.

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#1 Grosse Ile

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A township in Wayne County, Grosse Ile sits on several islands in the Detroit River.  Home to 10,300 residents, the community is connected to the mainland by a toll bridge and has been named by Money magazine as one of the top 100 places to live in the U.S.  It is also the safest place to live in Michigan, with a violent crime rate of 9.7 and the chance of being affected by property crime here just .08%.

#2 Plymouth

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Located in Wayne County, the township of Plymouth is home to 27,500 residents.  The community is home to several large businesses such as Johnson Controls, Asin World Corp., and Metaldyne.  This is also a safe place to call home, with a violent crime rate of  29.3 and the chance of being involved in a property crime here just .08%.

#3 Grosse Pointe Woods

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Also located in Wayne County, the city of Grosse Pointe Woods is home to 16,100 residents.  Just 10 miles northeast of downtown Detroit, the community is one of the five Pointes and is served by the Grosse Pointe Public School District.  Another safe place to live, the violent crime rate here is 31.3, and residents have a 1.5% chance of being affected by property crime.

#4 South Lyon

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A city in Oakland County, South Lyon is home to 11,300 residents.  Just 19 miles north of Ann Arbor, the city is known for its historic village and its annual Pumpkinfest.  The violent crime rate in South Lyon is 35.1, and residents here have a 1% chance of being involved in a property crime.

#5 Milford

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Located in Oakland County, Milford is a township that is home to 15,700 residents.  Chartered in 1982, the community encompasses 35.2 square miles and shares its services with the town of Milford inside its borders.  Another safe place to call home, the violent crime rate here is 44.2, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Milford is .09%

#6 Hamburg

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A township in Livingston County, Hamburg has a current population of 21,100 residents.  The township is home to three communities: Hamburg, Lakeland, and Pettysville.  The community also features five miles of the Lakelands Trail and a section of the Brighton State Recreation Area.  The violent crime rate here is 47, and residents have a .05% chance of being involved in a property crime.

#7 Bloomfield

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Located in Oakland County, Bloomfield is a township that is home to 41,000 residents.  The township is considered part of the Metro Detroit area, has several unincorporated communities, and was at one time ranked as the most expensive community in the state.  It is also a safe community, with a violent crime rate of 53.2 and the chance of being affected by property crime here just 1%.

#8 Lincoln

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A township in Berrien County, Lincoln is home to 14,600 residents.  The village of Stevensville is located within the township and the community sits just to the east of Lake Michigan.  The violent crime rate here is 54.4, and residents have a 1.2% chance of being involved in a property crime.

#9 West Bloomfield

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A township in Oakland County, West Bloomfield is home to 64,600 residents.  The area has many small and medium-sized lakes and is just 10 miles from the Detroit city limits.  The township is served by seven different school districts.  The violent crime rate in West Bloomfield is 55.3, and the chance of being affected by property crime here is 1%.

#10 Berkley

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Also located in Oakland County, Berkley has a current population of 14,900 residents.  Considered a suburb of Detroit, the city was ranked by Coldwell Banker as a best place to live and is known for its classic car parade along 12 Mile Road that runs through the city.  The violent crime rate here is 59.7, and the chance of being involved in a property crime in Berkley is  .08%.

#11 Novi

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Another Oakland County gem, Novi is a city that is home to 55,200 residents.  Located just 25 miles northwest of Detroit, the city has several historic sites and was named by Money in their Top 100 Best Places to Live.  The violent crime rate in Novi is 66.5, and residents have a 1.8% chance of being affected by property crime.

#12 Rochester

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A city in Oakland County, Rochester is home to 12,700 residents.  Considered a suburb of Detroit, the community has several distinct neighborhoods, encompasses 3.8 square miles, and was recently included on Time’s list of “Best Places to Live of Small U.S. Cities.”  Also a safe place to live, the violent crime rate here is 70.3, and residents have a 1% chance of being involved in a property crime.

#13 Troy

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Located in Oakland County, the city of Troy is has a current population of 80,900 residents.  Considered a part of the Detroit area, Troy is a major business and shopping destination and was named by CNN Money on its list of best places to live in the U.S.  The violent crime rate in Troy is 73.6, and the chance of being affected by property crime here is 2%.

#14 Northville

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Located in Wayne County, Northville is a township that is home to 28,400 residents.  Considered a suburb of Detroit, the city of Northville sits inside the township and the community is served by the Northville Public School District.  The violent crime rate here is 74.4, and residents have a 1.1% chance of being involved in a property crime.

#15 Grandville

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A city in Kent County, Grandville is home to 15,300 residents.  Part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the city sits on the Grand River and is the site of the largest shopping center in the Grand Rapids Area.  The violent crime rate in Grandville is 77.2, and the chance of being affected by property crime here is 4.1%.

#16 Beverly Hills

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A village in Southfield Township in Oakland County, Beverly Hills is home to 10,200 residents.  Considered a suburb of Detroit, it is the most populous village in the state and sits on the main branch of the Rouge River.  Living here is a safe choice, with a violent crime rate of 77.4, and the chance of being involved in a property crime in Beverly Hills is just 1%.

#17 White Lake

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Located in Oakland County, White Lake is a township that is home to 30,000 residents. Just 19 miles northwest of Detroit, the township contains three unincorporated communities and 21 lakes within its borders.  The violent crime rate in White Lake is 79.4, and residents have a 1.4% chance of being affected by property crime.

#18 New Baltimore

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A city in Macomb County, New Baltimore is home to 12,000 residents.  Considered a coastal resort community, the city sits on the coast of Lake St. Clair’s Anchor Bay and is known for its beach and downtown shopping district.  New Baltimore is a safe place to call home, with a violent crime rate of 82.6 and the chance of being involved in a property crime here just .04%.

#19 Riverview

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Located in Wayne County, the city of Riverview is home to 12,400 residents.  A suburb of Detroit, the city sits adjacent to the Detroit River and is served by the Riverview Community School District. The violent crime rate here is 88.9, and residents of the city have a  .07% chance of being affected by property crime.

#20 Midland

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Located in the Tri-Cities region in Midland County, the city of Midland has a current population of 41,800. Also the county seat, the city is home to the headquarters Dow Corning and Chemical Bank and was named by Forbes as a best small city to raise a family.  Also a safe place to live, the violent crime rate in Midland is 90.2, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1%.

#21 Farmington Hills

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The second largest city in Oakland County, Farmington Hills is home to 79,700 residents.  Considered an upscale suburb of Detroit, the city features many historical sites as well as a vibrant downtown, a vintage cinema, and many art galleries.  The violent crime rate here is 92.1, and residents of Farmington Hills have a 1.5% chance of being affected by property crime.

#22 Marquette

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Located in Marquette County, the city of Marquette has a current population of 21,300 residents.  Also the county seat and the most populated city in the Upper Peninsula, the community is home to Northern Michigan University and serves as a major port on Lake Superior.  The violent crime rate in Marquette is 97.5, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2%.

#23 Canton

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A township in Wayne County, Canton is home to 90,100 residents.  One of the state’s fastest-growing communities, it is located just 8 miles west of Detroit and has several historic locales and neighborhoods.  The violent crime rate here is 98.5, and residents of Canton have a 1% chance of being affected by property crime.

#24 Birmingham

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A city in Oakland County, Birmingham is home to 20,100 residents.  Considered a suburb of Detroit, the city has over twenty parks and a traditional street-side shopping district that is a popular destination for surrounding communities.  The violent crime rate in Birmingham is 98.8, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1.6%.

#25 Green Oak

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Located in Livingston County, Green Oak is a township that is home to 17,400 residents.  The township contains several unincorporated communities and is served by three different school districts.  Twenty percent of the township is parkland and this is a safe place to live, with a violent crime rate of 108.2, and the chance of being affected by property crime here just 1.1%.

#26 Clawson

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A city in Oakland County, Clawson is home to 11,800 residents.  Part of the Detroit metro area, the city encompasses just 2.2 square miles and is served by the Clawson Public School District.  The violent crime rate in Clawson is 109.2, and residents have a .09% chance of being involved in a property crime.

#27 Trenton

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A part of the Downriver area south of Detroit, Trenton is located on the west bank of the Detroit River in Wayne County.  With a current population of 18,800 residents, the city is home to the Chrysler Trenton Engine Plant and the Trenton Channel Power Plant.  The violent crime rate here is 112.4, and residents of Trenton have a 1.2% of being affected by property crime.

#28 Shelby

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A township in Macomb County, Shelby is a northern suburb of Detroit that is home to 65,100 residents. One of the fastest-growing communities in the area, the township is the site of several major parks and historic locales.  The violent crime rate in Shelby is 116.3, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1.4%.

#29 Thomas

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Located in Saginaw County, Thomas is a township that is home to 11,900 residents.  Encompassing 31.9 square miles, the unincorporated communities of Dice, Frost, and Shields are located within the township.  Thomas is a safe place to call home, with a violent crime rate of 117.4 and the chance of being affected by property crime here just 1.8%.

#30 Royal Oak

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A city in Oakland County, Royal Oak has a current population of 57,200 residents.  A suburb of Detroit, the city is home the Detroit Zoo and many other entertainment destinations and nightlife venues.  The violent crime rate in Royal Oak is 124.9, and residents have a 1.7% chance of being involved in a property crime.

#31 Woodhaven

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Another Downriver community, Woodhaven is home to 12,800 residents.  Located in Wayne County, the city is the site of the Ford Stamping Plant and is served by two different school districts.  The violent crime rate here is 125.5, and residents of Woodhaven have a 1.8% chance of being affected by property crime.

#32 Blackman

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A township in Jackson County, Blackman is home to 22,800 residents.  Settled in the early 1800’s, this primarily agricultural community is now the site of four of the Michigan Department of Corrections facilities.  Blackman is a safe place to live, with a violent crime rate of 127 and the chance of being involved in a property crime here just 2.2%.

#33 Ionia

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Located in Ionia County, the city of Ionia is home to 11,300 residents.  Also the county seat, the city encompasses just 5.48 square miles and features the world’s largest free-admission fair every summer in July.  The violent crime rate in Ionia is 131.5, and residents have a 1.7% chance of being affected by property crime.

#34 Wyandotte

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A city in Wayne County, Wyandotte is home to 25,800 residents.  Just 11 miles south of Detroit and situated on the Detroit River, the city is part of the Downriver area, and BASF Corporation has a large operation here.  The violent crime rate here is 140.4, and the chance of being involved in a property crime in Wyandotte is 2.8%.

#35 Fenton

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A city in Genesee, Oakland, and Livingston counties, Fenton has a current population of 11,700 residents.  Home to the first aviation school in the state, the city has a renewed downtown district and is home to several historic properties.  The violent crime rate in Fenton is 145.8, and residents have a 2.8% chance of being affected by property crime.

#36 St. Joseph

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Located in Berrien County, St. Joseph is a township that is home to 10,000 residents.  The community sits on the shores of Lake Michigan, and both the township and its village of Shoreham are considered bedroom communities to the nearby city of St. Joseph.  The violent crime rate here is 149.4, and the chance of being involved in a property crime in the township is just 1.4%.

#37 Livonia

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A city in northwestern Wayne County, Livonia has a current population of 96,900 residents.  Just 15 miles from downtown Detroit, the city is home to several large businesses, retail shopping areas, and the largest amateur hockey association in the state.  The violent crime rate in Livonia is 152, and residents have a 2.2% chance of being affected by property crime.

#38 Farmington

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Located completely within Farmington Hills (#21), the city of Farmington is home to 10,300 residents.  Known for its historic district, well-performing schools, and Victorian-style homes, the city was named several times on CNNMoney’s Best Places to Live survey.  The violent crime rate here is 153.2, and the chance of being involved in a property crime in Farmington is just 1.4%.

#39 Mundy

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A township in Genesee County, Mundy is home to 15,000 residents.  The township encompasses 36.1 square miles and includes the unincorporated communities of Rankin and Mundy.  Living in Mundy is a safe choice, with a violent crime rate of 153.7 and the chance of being affected by property crime here just 2.2%.

#40 Pittsfield

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Located south of Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Pittsfield is a township that is home to 34,600 residents.  Settled in the early 1800’s, the community has seen significant growth in the past several decades and is served by two different school districts.  The violent crime rate here is 157.1, and residents of Pittsfield have a 2.6% chance of being involved in a property crime.

#41 Grosse Pointe Park

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A city in Wayne County, Grosse Pointe Park is home to 11,500 residents.  Often referred to as simply “The Park”, the community is a suburb of Detroit that fronts Lake Saint Clair, with many distinct neighborhoods and commercial districts.  The violent crime rate in Grosse Pointe Park is 157.3, and residents here have a 2.5% chance of being affected by property crime.

#42 Huron

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Also located in Wayne County, Huron is a township that is home to 15,800 residents.  Its name was derived from the Huron River, which flows through the center of town, and Huron is home to three of the regional Metroparks that sit along the river.  The violent crime rate here is 159, and the chance of being involved in a property crime in Huron is just 1.5%.

#43 Meridian

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A township in Ingham County, Meridian is home to 39,600 residents.  Considered a part of the East Lansing metro area, the township contains the communities of Haslett and Okemos.  With over 904 acres of parks, Meridian is a safe place to call home.  The violent crime rate here is 160.7, and residents have a 2.3% chance of being affected by property crime.

#44 Allen Park

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Located in central Wayne County, the city of Allen Park has a current population of 28,200 residents.  Also a Detroit suburb, Allen Park is home to the Ford Motor Company, the headquarters and practice facilities of the Detroit Lions, and the world’s largest model tire.  The violent crime rate in Allen Park is 161.1, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 2.5%.

#45 Portage

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A city in Kalamazoo County, Portage is home to 46,200 residents.  The city sits just south of the city of Kalamazoo and is the site of several large manufacturing facilities owned by Pfizer, Stryker, and FEMA.  Also known for its extensive network of parks and aviation history museum, this is a safe place live. The violent crime rate here is 162.9, and the chance of being affected by property crime here is 3.5%.

#46 Grand Haven

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Located in Ottawa County, the city of Grand Haven is home to 10,400 residents.  Also the county seat, the city sits at the mouth of the Grand River and lies on the shores of Lake Michigan.  The city is an active beach resort community and was designated as “Coast Guard City, USA” by an act of Congress.  The violent crime rate in Grand Haven is 171.1, and residents have a 3.3% chance of being involved in a property crime.

#47 Sterling Heights

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A city in Macomb County and one of Detroit’s largest suburbs, Sterling Heights has a current population of 129,600 residents.  Named on Money’s list of best small cities to live in, Sterling Heights is known for its large Memorial Day parade and its annual Sterlingfest each summer.  The violent crime rate here is 178.5, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Sterling Heights is just 1.9%.

#48 Muskegon

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Located in Muskegon County, the city of Muskegon is home to 38,400 residents.  Also the county seat, the city features many large businesses, extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, museums and art galleries, and popular annual festivals.  The violent crime rate in Muskegon is 180.2, and the chance of being involved in a property crime in the city is 4.7%.

#49 Bath

A township in Clinton County, Bath sits just north of East Lansing and is home to 11,500 residents.  The township encompasses 35 square miles and includes the unincorporated community of Bath in its southwestern corner.  The violent crime rate here is 189.3, and residents of Bath have a .08% chance of being affected by property crime.

#50 Fraser

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Located in Macomb County, the city of Fraser is home 14,400 residents.  Part of Detroit metro area, the city was established in 1956 and is served by the Fraser Public School System.  Living in Fraser is a safe choice, with a violent crime rate of 192.9 and the chance of being involved in a property crime here just 2.6%.

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