St. Joseph County Crime & Safety

St. Joseph County, Michigan

Safety Score

24/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1916.6

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

384.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1532.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

24/100

Higher = safer

State avg 47/100

State Safety Rank

#70

of 83 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in St. Joseph County, Michigan

Safety Score and National Benchmarks

St. Joseph County reports a total crime rate of 1,916.6 per 100K, which is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. It currently holds a safety score of 97.0 out of 100. This indicates a generally safe environment compared to many other parts of the country.

How St. Joseph Fits Into Michigan

The county's crime rate is higher than the Michigan average of 1,371.8 per 100K. Consequently, its safety score is slightly below the state average of 97.8. Eight reporting agencies work together to provide this comprehensive crime data.

Comparing St. Joseph to Neighbors

St. Joseph has a higher crime rate than nearby Van Buren County (1,226.9) but remains safer than the national benchmark. These figures reflect the county's position as a more active hub in its immediate region. Law enforcement remains focused on addressing these local trends.

Understanding Local Crime Types

Property crime accounts for 1,532.3 incidents per 100K, while violent crime is 384.3. While violent crime is slightly above the national average of 369.8, property crime is much lower than the U.S. average of 2,015.7. This breakdown shows that property theft is less common here than nationally.

Improving Your Home Security

Since property crime is the most frequent issue, securing your home and garage is a top priority. Using motion-activated cameras can help deter potential intruders and provide peace of mind. Staying active in neighborhood watch groups further enhances community safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in St. Joseph County, MI?

St. Joseph County has a total crime rate of 1916.6 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (384.3 per 100K) and property crimes (1532.3 per 100K).

Is St. Joseph County, MI safe?

St. Joseph County has a safety score of 24/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #70 out of 83 counties in Michigan for safety (1 = safest).

How does St. Joseph County crime compare to the Michigan average?

What types of crime are most common in St. Joseph County?

How is crime data measured and reported for St. Joseph County?

Crime data for St. Joseph 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.

What is being done about crime in St. Joseph County?

St. Joseph County has a safety score of 24/100, which is below the Michigan average of 47/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.