Portage, MI Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Portage Safe?
Yes — Portage is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Portage has a crime rate that is 45% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 506.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Milwood earn an A safety grade, while Milwood rates A. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Portage.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 506
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
48% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 62
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
12% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Portage 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
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
40 | -60% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Portage Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Portage?
Safety varies dramatically across Portage's 1+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 1Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 1Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 1 neighborhoods in Portage
All Portage Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwood | A | 108 |
Portage Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Portage zip codes.
Portage Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Portage, MI?
Portage, MI has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 45% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 506 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 62 chance for property crime. Portage has lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Portage, MI safe to live in?
Portage is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. Approximately 100% of the city's 1 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Milwood is one of the safest areas, while Milwood has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Portage is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Portage?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Portage are Milwood. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Portage?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Portage include Milwood. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Portage?
The estimated violent crime rate in Portage is 197.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 48% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 506 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.1 per 100K (39% below average); aggravated assault at 146.6 per 100K (45% below average); robbery at 34.4 per 100K (53% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Portage?
The estimated property crime rate in Portage is 1,618.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 12% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 62 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 162.9 per 100K (40% below average); larceny/theft at 1,247.1 per 100K (11% below average); vehicle theft at 208.1 per 100K (35% below average).
How does Portage crime compare to the national average?
Portage's overall crime rate is 45% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (11% below average), while rape is 60% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Portage has lower crime than 84% of them.
Is Portage safe to visit?
Portage is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 12% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Milwood.
How does Portage crime compare to the rest of Michigan?
Michigan as a whole has crime that is 7% above the national average. Portage's crime rate is 45% below the national average, making it safer the typical Michigan city.
What type of crime is most common in Portage?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Portage, with an estimated rate of 1,247.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 11% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,618 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (198 per 100K) in Portage, which is consistent with national trends.