Overview of Plymouth
Introduction to Living in Plymouth, MI
Ask any long‑time Plymouth residents what keeps them here and you’ll hear the same refrain: walkable downtown, tons of community events, and, yep, low crime. Tucked into western Wayne County, the city of Plymouth (population ≈ 9,100) feels more like a tight‑knit village than a suburb off I‑275.
The big question for buyers scanning homes for sale in Plymouth, MI, though, is simple: Just how safe is it?
We’ll dig into the crime statistics, compare Plymouth crime rates with state and national averages, and see how each neighborhood stacks up.
Geographical Location
Downtown Plymouth sits about 25 miles northwest of Detroit and 20 minutes from Ann Arbor. That spot gives Plymouth residents quick freeway access while keeping daily life anchored around Kellogg Park, making the city of Plymouth one of the best places to live for folks who want small‑town vibes without losing big‑city convenience.
Cost of Living in Plymouth
While the cost‑of‑living index sits roughly 8 percent below the average US city, housing in Plymouth is pricier than most of Michigan’s state average.
Median household income here tops $111,700, well above the MI median and national average, helping locals handle those mortgage payments.
Plymouth Crime Reports and Data
Property Crime
Property crime in Plymouth comes in at 9.18 incidents per 1,000 residents, about half the Michigan state rate (15.47) and far below the national average of 19. That translates to a 1‑in‑109 chance of experiencing burglary, theft, or motor‑vehicle theft in a typical year.
Put another way, Plymouth is safer than 58 percent of US cities for property crime.
Violent Crime
Violent crime in Plymouth is refreshingly rare.
At 1.42 incidents per 1,000 residents, the violent crime rate in Plymouth sits at roughly one‑third of Michigan’s 4.57 rate and comfortably lower than the 4.0 national median.
Your odds of becoming a victim of violent crime in Plymouth are about 1 in 704, numbers that back up locals who insist Plymouth is safer than nearby big‑city alternatives.
Other Crime
Fraud, disorderly conduct, and DUI rounds out the low‑volume “other crime” category here. Monthly police board reports show totals in the single digits for most non‑violent offenses, and Plymouth Township’s 2024 year‑to‑date stats note no sustained spikes.
Comparison of Plymouth Crime Rates with Michigan
Wondering how Plymouth stacks up against the rest of the Mitten?
Here’s the skinny: Plymouth’s violent crime rate sits at just 1.42 incidents per 1,000 residents, while Michigan’s state average is 4.57—roughly 69 percent lower.
Property crime tells a similar story: 9.18 incidents per 1,000 in Plymouth versus 15.47 statewide, a 40 percent drop. Roll those numbers together and Plymouth posts an overall crime rate of 10.6 per 1,000, nearly half of Michigan’s 20.04.
Long story short, the city of Plymouth is safer than most places in Michigan—especially when you look at violent crime, where Plymouth is safer than two‑thirds of the state.
Trends in Plymouth Crime Rates
Since 2021 the total crime rate in Plymouth has drifted downward by roughly 6 percent, mirroring the national trend of declining violent incidents.
Police attribute the slide to community‑oriented patrol zones and rapid adoption of crime‑mapping tech that identifies red areas before patterns take hold.
Comparing Crime Rates: Plymouth vs. Nearby Cities
Crime Rate Comparison with Similar Population Areas
Pop‑wise peers like Northville, Livonia, and Novi post higher violent crime numbers. Livonia’s violent crime rate hovers near 3 per 1,000; Northville’s sits at 0.83 but property crime is higher.
Across the board, Plymouth’s overall crime rate is lower than the national average and generally less than Michigan’s state average, keeping the city near the 60th percentile for safety among cities of the same size.
Identifying the Safest Areas in Plymouth
Best Places to Live in Plymouth
NeighborhoodScout’s crime map shows Plymouth West, Plymouth Southwest, and Plymouth Twp Park shaded deep green, meaning it is safer than 90 percent of US neighborhoods.
Downtown Plymouth scores solidly, too, though higher foot traffic bumps petty‑theft complaints. If you want one of the best places to live with minimal total crime, lean toward the fringes west of Sheldon Road.
Safety Measures and Resources
Chance of Being a Victim of Crime in Plymouth
Crunching the detailed crime rates, the city posts a 1‑in‑94 chance of any crime per resident in Plymouth each year.
Compare Plymouth crime rates with cities but less safe (Ann Arbor’s is 1‑in‑78) and you get why many buyers see Plymouth as a safe place to live that still offers nightlife and community events.
Role of the Plymouth Police Department
Both the city and Plymouth Township police departments practice geographic “beat” policing and keep officers assigned to the same neighborhoods, letting residents know the patrol lieutenant by name.
Annual training budgets emphasize de‑escalation, crisis intervention, and community policing—earning awards for traffic safety and outreach.
Community Safety Initiatives
From the Safe Citizens Program that helps vulnerable residents, to Nixle alerts, vacation‑house checks, and Hope Not Handcuffs for addiction assistance, Plymouth offers more community programs per capita than many Michigan state suburbs.
Those initiatives, plus the public CLEMIS Plymouth crime map, keep crime and safety conversations transparent.
Living in Plymouth: Is it a Safe Place to Live?
Crime maps and rates show that Plymouth has an overall crime profile more like a rural township than a Detroit suburb.
Plymouth ranks in the safer half of all US cities, and every major category – violent crime in Plymouth, property crime in Plymouth, and total crime – lands well below Michigan crime rates and far below national averages.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Summary of Crime Statistics
Plymouth’s total crime rate is lower than both Michigan and US figures, its violent crime rate is lower still, and Plymouth crime rates trend downward year‑over‑year.
The numbers confirm what locals say: Plymouth is safer, period.
Future Outlook for Crime in Plymouth
With household income in Plymouth rising, continued police‑community partnerships, and an engaged citizen base, forecasts point to stable or slightly declining crime through 2026.
That positions Plymouth to remain one of the best places in Michigan for buyers prioritizing low crime and high quality of life.
Thinking about those homes for sale in Plymouth, MI? With crime rates this low, you can focus on schools, parks, and commute, not the siren count.
Plymouth Safety FAQs
Is Plymouth’s overall crime rate in Plymouth lower than the national average?
Yes. The overall crime rate is roughly half the national average, and violent crime is less than one‑third.
Where can I find a live Plymouth crime map and rates?
The city’s police department partners with CLEMIS; their public portal updates incidents daily for any downtown area address.
Does crime and safety vary by neighborhood?
Absolutely, rates in that area west of Beck Road are the lowest, while downtown Plymouth shows slightly higher crime, though still less than Michigan’s state average.
How does Plymouth compare with similarly sized cities?
When analysts compare Plymouth with cities of the same size nationwide, Plymouth is lower in both violent and property crime, slotting into the 60th percentile for safety (meaning it is safer than 60 percent of peer cities).
What are my chances of being a victim of crime in Plymouth?
Statistics put the chance of being a victim of crime in Plymouth at roughly 1 in 94 per resident in a typical year—far below the odds in an average US city.
