Downtown Neighborhood, Traverse City

Crime Rate & Statistics

A

Very safe neighborhood — well below-average crime rates

Safer than 40% of neighborhoods in Traverse City

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime High
Low 153 / 300 High
Violent Crime 126
26% above national avg
Property Crime 154
54% above national avg
City Ranking
40%
safer than other
Traverse City neighborhoods

Is Downtown Safe?

Downtown in Traverse City, MI has a safety grade of A. The overall crime index is 153, which is 53% above the national average of 100. Downtown is safer than 40% of neighborhoods in Traverse City.

Compared to the Traverse City average (crime index 126), Downtown is 27% higher in overall crime.

Looking at specific crime types, larceny / theft is the most elevated concern (index: 170, 70% above average), while robbery is the lowest risk (index: 98). Property crime is more prevalent than violent crime here, consistent with broader national patterns.

Overall, Downtown is considered a safe neighborhood for residents and visitors. Standard urban awareness is recommended, but the area benefits from lower-than-average crime rates across most categories.

Highest Risk
Larceny / Theft · Index 170 (70% above avg)
Lowest Risk
Robbery · Index 98 (2% below avg)

Downtown Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Traverse City city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type Index vs National Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder
156 +56% High
Assault
136 +36% Moderate
Robbery
98 -2% Average
Rape
113 +13% Moderate
Property Crime
Burglary
128 +28% Moderate
Larceny / Theft
170 +70% High
Vehicle Theft
164 +64% High

How Downtown Compares

Crime index by category: Downtown vs Traverse City average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Downtown Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map
Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

Downtown Demographics & Context

Population
564
Median Income
$55,779
Home Value
$1,183,149
Median Age
43
Pop. Density
1,769/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 31.8%
Graduate Degree 13.3%

Housing

54%
46%
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 92.7%
Black 1.1%
Hispanic 2%
Asian 1.9%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Boardman Index: 133
A
Old Town Index: 78
A+
Central Index: 123
A+
Oak Park Index: 149
A
Slabtown Index: 125
A+
Traverse Heights Index: 145
A
Kids Creek Index: 82
A+
Northwestern Michigan College Index: 80
A+
Downtown Crime Map
Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood
Traverse City Crime Statistics
View all Traverse City neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Downtown, Traverse City?

Downtown in Traverse City, MI has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime index is 153, which is 53% above the national average. Compared to the Traverse City average, crime in Downtown is 27% higher. Downtown is safer than 40% of neighborhoods in Traverse City.

Is Downtown a safe neighborhood in Traverse City?

Downtown is generally considered a safe neighborhood in Traverse City, earning a crime grade of A. The highest concern is Larceny / Theft (index: 170), while Robbery is the lowest risk (index: 98).

How does Downtown compare to the rest of Traverse City?

Downtown's overall crime index is 153, compared to the Traverse City average of 126. This means crime in Downtown is 27% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 126, and for property crime it is 154. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.

What type of crime is most common in Downtown?

The most prevalent crime type in Downtown is Larceny / Theft, with a crime index of 170 (70% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more prevalent than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.

What are safer neighborhoods near Downtown?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Boardman, Old Town, Central and Oak Park. These areas are close to Downtown and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Downtown?

Downtown has a population of approximately 564. The median household income is $55,779. The median home value is $1,183,149. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Downtown crime compare to the national average?

Downtown's overall crime rate is 53% above the national average (index 153 vs 100). Within Traverse City, it is safer than 40% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.

Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated March 2026.