Benzie County Crime & Safety

Benzie County, Michigan

Safety Score

65/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

825.1

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

132.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

692.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

65/100

Higher = safer

State avg 47/100

State Safety Rank

#22

of 83 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Benzie County, Michigan

One of the Nation’s Safest Counties

Benzie County boasts an impressive safety score of 98.7, far exceeding national norms. Its total crime rate of 825.1 per 100,000 is roughly one-third of the national average of 2,385.5.

Outpacing the Michigan Safety Average

The county is significantly safer than the average Michigan community, which typically sees 1,371.8 crimes per 100,000 residents. Its safety score of 98.7 easily beats the state average of 97.8.

Benzie Matches Region’s Lowest Crime Profiles

Benzie County mirrors the low-crime environment of Charlevoix County, both hovering around 800 incidents per 100,000 people. It remains much more peaceful than nearby Bay County to the east.

Violent Crime is Rarely Reported

With only 132.9 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, the risk of physical harm is extremely low. Property crimes stand at 692.2, which is still well below the national property crime rate of 2,015.7.

Maintain Peace with Basic Vigilance

While risks are low, installing a video doorbell can help preserve this county's high safety standing. Small investments in security keep Benzie among the safest places to live in Michigan.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Benzie County, MI?

Benzie County has a total crime rate of 825.1 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (132.9 per 100K) and property crimes (692.2 per 100K).

Is Benzie County, MI safe?

Benzie County has a safety score of 65/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #22 out of 83 counties in Michigan for safety (1 = safest).

How does Benzie County crime compare to the Michigan average?

The county is significantly safer than the average Michigan community, which typically sees 1,371.8 crimes per 100,000 residents. Its safety score of 98.7 easily beats the state average of 97.8.

What types of crime are most common in Benzie County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Benzie County?

Crime data for Benzie County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

Why is Benzie County safer than the Michigan average?

Benzie County has a safety score of 65/100, which is above the Michigan average of 47/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.