Houghton Lake, MI Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 98% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Houghton Lake Safe?
Yes — Houghton Lake is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Houghton Lake has a crime rate that is 53% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 583.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 583
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
55% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 84
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
35% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Houghton Lake 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
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
35 | -65% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Houghton Lake Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Houghton Lake Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Houghton Lake zip codes.
Houghton Lake Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Houghton Lake, MI?
Houghton Lake, MI has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 53% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 583 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 84 chance for property crime. Houghton Lake has lower crime than 98% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Houghton Lake, MI safe to live in?
Houghton Lake is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Houghton Lake is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Houghton Lake?
The estimated violent crime rate in Houghton Lake is 171.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 55% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 583 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.5 per 100K (51% below average); aggravated assault at 128.5 per 100K (52% below average); robbery at 25.9 per 100K (65% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Houghton Lake?
The estimated property crime rate in Houghton Lake is 1,189.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 84 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 139.0 per 100K (48% below average); larceny/theft at 863.3 per 100K (38% below average); vehicle theft at 187.3 per 100K (41% below average).
How does Houghton Lake crime compare to the national average?
Houghton Lake's overall crime rate is 53% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (38% below average), while robbery is 65% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Houghton Lake has lower crime than 98% of them.
Is Houghton Lake safe to visit?
Houghton Lake is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 35% below 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 Houghton Lake crime compare to the rest of Michigan?
Michigan as a whole has crime that is 7% above the national average. Houghton Lake's crime rate is 53% below the national average, making it safer the typical Michigan city.
What type of crime is most common in Houghton Lake?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Houghton Lake, with an estimated rate of 863.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 38% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,190 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (172 per 100K) in Houghton Lake, which is consistent with national trends.