F
96%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
134%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
89%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peoplePaw Paw/100k peopleMichigan/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime153n/a (estimate)4,5581,9982,324
Murder0n/a0.06.96.3
Rape0n/a0.064.840.0
Robbery4n/a119.236.666.1
Assault25n/a744.7352.7268.2
Violent crime29n/a (estimate)864461370
Burglary5n/a148.9214.3269.8
Theft116n/a3,455.51,055.31,401.9
Vehicle theft3n/a89.4267.2282.7
Property crime124n/a (estimate)3,6941,5371,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Paw Paw, MI

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Paw Paw is 96.1% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 29 violent crimes reported in Paw Paw, equivalent to 864 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 133.6%. Additionally, Paw Paw recorded 124 property crimes, amounting to 3694 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 89%.

In Paw Paw, the crime rate stands at 4558 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 96.09%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Paw Paw that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.

With a violent crime rate of 864 crimes per 100,000 residents, Paw Paw is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Paw Paw ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 116 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.

In the latest reported crime year, Paw Paw recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

With a property crime rate of 3694 crimes per 100,000 people, Paw Paw unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Paw Paw is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 28, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Paw Paw?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Paw Paw residents. Out of the respondents (11 in total), 64% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Paw Paw were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 36% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Paw Paw a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Paw Paw is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Paw Paw has a total crime rate that is 96% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.42 daily crimes (0.08 violent daily crimes and 0.34 daily property crimes) in Paw Paw.

Has Crime in Paw Paw Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Paw Paw has increased by 7% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Paw Paw is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 141.7%, while property crime has increased by 5.3%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Paw Paw.

Potential Causes for Crime in Paw Paw

Paw Paw has a poverty rate that stands at 17.8, in contrast to the national average of 15.1. Historically, a direct correlation has been observed between poverty rates and crime stats. Higher poverty rates have led to higher crime rates, while lower poverty rates have led to a reduction in Paw Paw crime rates. Income disparities and heightened poverty levels can serve as catalysts for elevated or reduced criminal activity, as individuals may or may not turn to illicit means to fulfill their basic needs. This could be one of many factors that may influence crime.

Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower Paw Paw crime rates. For instance, in Paw Paw, the population density stands at 1281.7 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Paw Paw, 76.5% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

Paw Paw crime map



The Paw Paw crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Paw Paw as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Paw Paw crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Paw Paw crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Paw Paw, MI Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Paw Paw crime rates are 96% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Paw Paw are 134% higher than the national average
      • In Paw Paw you have a 1 in 22 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Paw Paw is safer than 5% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Paw Paw has increased by 6%

      Paw Paw, MI Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Paw Paw

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        Daily Crime In Paw Paw (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Paw Paw (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Paw Paw

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Paw Paw is 1 in 116
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Paw Paw is 1 in 28
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Paw Paw is 1 in 22

        Year Over Year Crime In Paw Paw (per 100,000 people)

        Paw Paw police department

        Item Paw Paw Michigan National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)910,515558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.52.13.3
        There are a total of 9 Paw Paw police officers. This results in 2.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 23.2% greater than the Michigan average and 21.6% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Michigan

        State Total offenders Michigan /100K National /100K
        Michigan40,460414266
        There are a total of 40,460 sex offenders in Michigan. This yields a total of 414 sex offenders in Michigan per 100,000 residents which is 56% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Lawrence, MI9180197197
        Marcellus, MI1,140220733953
        Schoolcraft, MI1,2121399701,109
        Lawton, MI1,5331081,2431,351
        Hartford, MI2,5885241,1281,651
        Westwood, MI9,2474101,3681,778
        Decatur, MI1,9354781,9712,449
        Paw Paw, MI3,4168643,6944,558

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Morganfield, KY3,41662250312
        Hidden Springs, ID3,41638145183
        Angwin, CA3,4152141,0011,215
        Hanover, IN3,4181991,0031,201
        Hanover, MN3,414100697796
        Paw Paw, MI3,4168643,6944,558
        Source: The Paw Paw, MI crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.