A+
65%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
65%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
65%
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 peopleWest Branch/100k peopleMichigan/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime19n/a (estimate)8211,9982,324
Murder0n/a0.06.96.3
Rape1n/a43.264.840.0
Robbery0n/a0.036.666.1
Assault2n/a86.4352.7268.2
Violent crime3n/a (estimate)130461370
Burglary1n/a43.2214.3269.8
Theft14n/a604.81,055.31,401.9
Vehicle theft1n/a43.2267.2282.7
Property crime16n/a (estimate)6911,5371,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in West Branch, MI

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in West Branch is 64.7% lower than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In West Branch, there were 3 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 130 per 100,000 individuals, 65% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 16 property crimes, amounting to 691 per 100,000 residents, 64.6% lower than the U.S. average.

In the most recently reported crime year, West Branch registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

Property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have exhibited a consistent decrease of about 50% since 1990, with a minor upturn observed in recent years. According to the latest crime data, West Branch maintains a property crime rate of 691 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of 1954. This serves as a strong indication of the status of West Branch as a secure and desirable place to reside, emphasizing its commitment to safety and well-being within the community.

Is West Branch a Safe Place to Live?

Is West Branch a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, West Branch has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 65%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.05 daily incidents, encompassing 0.01 violent crimes and 0.04 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of West Branch as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in West Branch Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in West Branch. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in West Branch has decreased by 34.5%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 40%, while property crime has decreased by 33.3%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in West Branch.

Potential Causes for Crime in West Branch

In West Branch, the poverty rate currently stands at 18.1%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in West Branch crime rates.

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. West Branch, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 2.3%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. West Branch has a median home price of $89,600, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

West Branch crime map



The West Branch crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in West Branch 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 West Branch crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the West Branch 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 West Branch, MI Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • West Branch crime rates are 65% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in West Branch are 65% lower than the national average
      • In West Branch you have a 1 in 122 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • West Branch is safer than 72% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in West Branch has decreased by 42%

      West Branch, MI Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In West Branch (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is West Branch (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in West Branch

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in West Branch is 1 in 772
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in West Branch is 1 in 145
        The chance of being a victim of crime in West Branch is 1 in 122

        Year Over Year Crime In West Branch (per 100,000 people)

        West Branch police department

        Item West Branch Michigan National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)510,515558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.32.13.3
        There are a total of 5 West Branch police officers. This results in 2.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 13.6% greater than the Michigan average and 27.8% 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
        Rose City, MI6710535535
        St. Helen, MI2,8682739101,184
        Skidway Lake, MI3,2893371,1241,462
        Lupton, MI2996442,1472,791
        West Branch, MI2,052130691821

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Belle Rose, LA2,0522771,2101,487
        Mount Olive, IL2,052145850995
        Noel, MO2,0512451,1731,418
        Tieton, WA2,0532091,8622,071
        Cade, LA2,0532229701,192
        West Branch, MI2,052130691821
        Source: The West Branch, 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.