Benton Harbor, MI Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 98% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Benton Harbor Safe?
No — Benton Harbor has high crime rates
Exercise extra caution. Avoid walking alone at night and stay in well-lit areas.
Benton Harbor has a crime rate that is 205% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 97.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 97
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
170% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 14
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
282% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Benton Harbor Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
292 | +192% | High | |
|
Assault
|
256 | +156% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
314 | +214% | High | |
|
Rape
|
278 | +178% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
334 | +234% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
358 | +258% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
336 | +236% | High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Benton Harbor Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Benton Harbor Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Benton Harbor zip codes.
Benton Harbor Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Benton Harbor, MI?
Benton Harbor, MI has a crime safety grade of D- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 205% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 97 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 14 chance for property crime. Benton Harbor has higher crime than 98% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Benton Harbor, MI safe to live in?
Benton Harbor has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Benton Harbor is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Benton Harbor?
The estimated violent crime rate in Benton Harbor is 1,027.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 170% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 97 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 14.6 per 100K (192% above average); aggravated assault at 687.5 per 100K (156% above average); robbery at 231.9 per 100K (214% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Benton Harbor?
The estimated property crime rate in Benton Harbor is 6,989.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 282% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 14 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 900.2 per 100K (234% above average); larceny/theft at 5,018.5 per 100K (258% above average); vehicle theft at 1,070.8 per 100K (236% above average).
How does Benton Harbor crime compare to the national average?
Benton Harbor's overall crime rate is 205% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (258% above average), while assault is 156% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Benton Harbor has higher crime than 98% of them.
Is Benton Harbor safe to visit?
Visitors to Benton Harbor should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 282% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Benton Harbor crime compare to the rest of Michigan?
Michigan as a whole has crime that is 7% above the national average. Benton Harbor's crime rate is 205% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Michigan city.
What type of crime is most common in Benton Harbor?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Benton Harbor, with an estimated rate of 5,018.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 258% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (6,990 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (1,028 per 100K) in Benton Harbor, which is consistent with national trends.