Crime per Capita in Sterling Heights
The map below displays the crime rate per 1,000 residents in Sterling Heights.
Safest
Highest crime
Colorblind friendly
off
C+
Overall Crime Grade™
B- |
|
C |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C |
$46.2 million
Cost of Crime™ for Sterling Heights, MI
In 2025, crime will cost $930 per household.
Crime Grade's crime map highlights the safest areas in Sterling Heights in green, the most dangerous in red, and moderately safe areas in yellow. Crime rates on the map are weighted based on both the type and severity of the crime. For more information on how to interpret our crime maps, see the Interpreting the Crime Maps section below.
Is Sterling Heights, MI Safe?
The C+ grade indicates that the rate of crime is about the same as that of the average US city. Sterling Heights ranks in the 48th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 48% of cities but less safe than 52%. This analysis applies only to Sterling Heights's official city boundaries. See the table below for nearby cities.
The crime rate in Sterling Heights is 24.58 per 1,000 residents in the typical year. Sterling Heights Residents generally consider the east part of the city to be the safest. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Sterling Heights varies by neighborhood - ranging from 1 in 34 in the north neighborhoods to 1 in 51 in the east.
When looking at total crime counts (rather than per capita rates), the southwest parts of Sterling Heights, MI see the most incidents - about 614 per year. In contrast, the east part of the city has the fewest, with approximately 172 crimes annually.
The Cost of Crime™ in Sterling Heights, MI
The total projected cost of crime in Sterling Heights for 2025 is $46,153,638. This translates to approximately $348 per resident and $930 per household. On average, crime-related costs account for 0.9% of the median household income in Sterling Heights. These figures reflect only tangible costs, which include the following:- Criminal justice system costs (law enforcement, courts, and imprisonment): 57.2%
- Direct costs to victims (damaged property, medical expenses, and lost wages): 30.8%
- Lost economic contribution from offenders (time in prison or repeat offenses): 12.0%
How Much Does Crime Cost in Sterling Heights Compared to Other Cities?
| Sterling Heights, MI: | $348 |
|---|---|
| Highland Park, MI: | $1848 |
| Hudsonville, MI: | $149 |
| Michigan: | $487 |
| USA: | $464 |
The Cost of Crime per resident in Sterling Heights is $348 per year, which is $117 less than the national average and $139 less than Michigan's state average. Below we compare cities similar to Sterling Heights:
- In Highland Park, MI, crime costs $1,848 per person, which is $1,501 more than in Sterling Heights.
- In Hudsonville, MI, crime costs $149 per person, which is $199 less than in Sterling Heights
2025 Projected Cost by Type of Crime
The table below shows the total cost of crime to the residents of Sterling Heights for the year 2025 along with the projected cost per resident.Crime |
Cost to Sterling Heights |
Cost per Sterling Heights Resident |
|---|---|---|
Murder |
$7.38 million |
$56 |
Rape/Sexual Assault |
$8.25 million |
$62 |
Robbery |
$848,214 |
$6 |
Assault |
$5.44 million |
$41 |
Kidnapping |
$318,055 |
$2 |
Vehicle Theft |
$8.41 million |
$63 |
Burglary |
$1.30 million |
$10 |
Theft |
$5.47 million |
$41 |
Arson |
$469,650 |
$4 |
Vandalism |
$5.57 million |
$42 |
Animal Cruelty |
$65,456 |
$0 |
Drug Crimes |
$1.93 million |
$15 |
Identity Theft |
$710,709 |
$5 |
Total Cost of Crime |
$46,153,638 |
$348 |
The Intangible Cost of Crime in Sterling Heights, MI
CrimeGrade primarily focuses on tangible costs, but the true impact of crime extends beyond economic. Pain and suffering for victims and their families are difficult to quantify, but research-based methodologies help estimate these effects. Using these methodologies, we calculate that the intangible cost of crime in Sterling Heights totals $90,303,793 ($680 per resident). When added to the tangible costs, this brings the total estimated cost of crime to $136,457,431 ($1,028 per resident). All Cost of Crime facts are based on scholarly research done on the cost of crime. Read more about our methodology here.Interpreting the Crime Maps
When interpreting the Sterling Heights crime map, keep in mind that crime rates are measured per resident. Areas with high visitor traffic, such as shopping districts, may appear to have higher crime rates simply because more crimes occur where people gather - even if few residents live there. For example, the northeast part of the city has more retail establishments, which can artificially inflate crime rates in that area. Red areas on the map do not necessarily mean a neighborhood is unsafe for residents.
More issues arise with places like airports, parks, and schools. Major airports always look like high-crime locations due to the large number of people and the low population nearby. Parks and designated recreational areas, of which Sterling Heights has 8, have the same problem. Of Sterling Heights’s 132,793 residents, few live near recreational areas. Because many people visit, crime rates may appear higher even for safe parks. Crime occurs where people gather, whether they live there or not. Before assuming an area is unsafe, consider both per-capita crime rates and total crime counts, as well as the types of destinations nearby.
To better understand and navigate these intricate crime maps, a high-speed internet connection can be crucial. Fast and seamless online connectivity ensures that map details load efficiently, providing users with clearer, uninterrupted insights. If you're considering enhancing your online experience, check out high speed internet in Sterling Heights, MI at ISP Reports.Sterling Heights Crime Breakdown
The tables below show which crimes are used to calculate the Crime Grades above. All crime rates are shown as the number of crimes per 1,000 Sterling Heights residents in a standard year.
Violent Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Assault |
1.425 |
Robbery |
0.2031 |
Rape |
1.024 |
Murder |
0.0296 |
Total Violent Crime |
2.682 (B-) |
Property Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Theft |
7.949 |
Vehicle Theft |
4.091 |
Burglary |
1.083 |
Arson |
0.1465 |
Total Property Crime |
13.27 (C) |
Other Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Kidnapping |
0.0395 |
Drug Crimes |
1.960 |
Vandalism |
5.869 |
Identity Theft |
0.6915 |
Animal Cruelty |
0.0666 |
Total "Other" Rate |
8.627 (C) |
Individual Sterling Heights Crime Maps & Stats
Crime Maps and Rates for Nearby Cities
Compared to surrounding cities, the rate of crime in Sterling Heights is lower. The table below shows Crime Grades for cities close to Sterling Heights.
Nearby City | Overall Crime Grade | Violent Crime Grade | Property Crime Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
C+ | B | C | |
C- | C- | C- | |
C | C | C- | |
B- | B | C+ | |
D | D- | D | |
D+ | C- | D+ | |
C- | B- | D+ | |
D- | D- | D- | |
D | D | D+ | |
D | D- | D |
Crime Maps and Rates for City with Similar Populations
Sterling Heights is similar versus other cities of the same size for crime. The table below compares crime in cities with comparable overall population in the city‘s boundaries.
Similar City | Overall Crime Grade | Violent Crime Grade | Property Crime Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
C | D | D | |
B+ | A+ | A+ | |
D+ | C- | C- | |
C+ | A- | A- | |
B+ | C | C | |
D+ | D | D | |
C- | C- | C- | |
B | B | B | |
C+ | C | C | |
C+ | D | D |
Considering only the crime rate, Sterling Heights is as safe as the Michigan state average and safer than the national average.
Safety and school performance are separate topics, but both shape moving decisions. Using SchoolGrade data, schools in Sterling Heights, MI average SchoolGrade of D+, with 30% actual proficiency versus 33% projected; overall, schools don't meet expectations. See Sterling Heights schools on SchoolGrade
About the Data
CrimeGrade.org provides highly detailed and accurate crime data, used by insurance companies, home security firms, and other industries. Our data is available for licensing—learn more about our USA crime data and licensing.
Crime By Zip Code Download
Our proprietary data is available for download by zip code or by state in a CSV Flat File. Please visit our download page for pricing and terms.
Download CSV
Home Security
A crime occurs on average every 2 hours 41 minutes in Sterling Heights. Want to protect your home?
Home Security Companies in Sterling Heights, MI
All maps and statistics above are projections, not certainties, and provided without guarantee free of charge. Verify all info before making any decisions based on the data.