Crime per Capita in West Branch
The map below displays the crime rate per 1,000 residents in West Branch.
Safest
Highest crime
Colorblind friendly
off
C+
Overall Crime Grade™
C- |
|
C- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
B |
$3.05 million
Cost of Crime™ for West Branch, MI
In 2025, crime will cost $785 per household.
Crime Grade's crime map highlights the safest areas in West Branch 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 West Branch, MI Safe?
The C+ grade indicates that the rate of crime is about the same as that of the average US city. West Branch ranks in the 47th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 47% of cities but less safe than 53%. This analysis applies only to West Branch's official city boundaries. See the table below for nearby cities.
The crime rate in West Branch is 25.12 per 1,000 residents in the typical year. West Branch Residents generally consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest. Your chance of being a victim of crime in West Branch varies by neighborhood - ranging from 1 in 26 in the central neighborhoods to 1 in 69 in the northeast.
When looking at total crime counts (rather than per capita rates), the central parts of West Branch, MI see the most incidents - about 99 per year. In contrast, the east part of the city has the fewest, with approximately 9 crimes annually.
The Cost of Crime™ in West Branch, MI
The total projected cost of crime in West Branch for 2025 is $3,051,877. This translates to approximately $348 per resident and $785 per household. On average, crime-related costs account for 1.1% of the median household income in West Branch. These figures reflect only tangible costs, which include the following:- Criminal justice system costs (law enforcement, courts, and imprisonment): 59.3%
- Direct costs to victims (damaged property, medical expenses, and lost wages): 28.1%
- Lost economic contribution from offenders (time in prison or repeat offenses): 12.5%
How Much Does Crime Cost in West Branch Compared to Other Cities?
| West Branch, MI: | $348 |
|---|---|
| Highland Park, MI: | $1848 |
| Hudsonville, MI: | $149 |
| Michigan: | $487 |
| USA: | $464 |
The Cost of Crime per resident in West Branch is $348 per year, which is $116 less than the national average and $138 less than Michigan's state average. Below we compare cities similar to West Branch:
- In Highland Park, MI, crime costs $1,848 per person, which is $1,500 more than in West Branch.
- In Hudsonville, MI, crime costs $149 per person, which is $199 less than in West Branch
2025 Projected Cost by Type of Crime
The table below shows the total cost of crime to the residents of West Branch for the year 2025 along with the projected cost per resident.Crime |
Cost to West Branch |
Cost per West Branch Resident |
|---|---|---|
Murder |
$570,461 |
$65 |
Rape/Sexual Assault |
$549,155 |
$63 |
Robbery |
$105,947 |
$12 |
Assault |
$552,797 |
$63 |
Kidnapping |
$35,559 |
$4 |
Vehicle Theft |
$93,623 |
$11 |
Burglary |
$191,557 |
$22 |
Theft |
$565,934 |
$65 |
Arson |
$18,954 |
$2 |
Vandalism |
$183,763 |
$21 |
Animal Cruelty |
$5,748 |
$1 |
Drug Crimes |
$124,021 |
$14 |
Identity Theft |
$54,358 |
$6 |
Total Cost of Crime |
$3,051,877 |
$348 |
The Intangible Cost of Crime in West Branch, 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 West Branch totals $6,613,295 ($755 per resident). When added to the tangible costs, this brings the total estimated cost of crime to $9,665,172 ($1,103 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 West Branch 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 central 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 West Branch has 6, have the same problem. Of West Branch’s 8,762 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 West Branch, MI at ISP Reports.West Branch 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 West Branch residents in a standard year.
Violent Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Assault |
2.197 |
Robbery |
0.3844 |
Rape |
1.034 |
Murder |
0.0346 |
Total Violent Crime |
3.650 (C-) |
Property Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Theft |
12.47 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.6900 |
Burglary |
2.410 |
Arson |
0.0896 |
Total Property Crime |
15.66 (C-) |
Other Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Kidnapping |
0.0669 |
Drug Crimes |
1.914 |
Vandalism |
2.936 |
Identity Theft |
0.8015 |
Animal Cruelty |
0.0887 |
Total "Other" Rate |
5.806 (B) |
Individual West Branch Crime Maps & Stats
Crime Maps and Rates for Nearby Cities
Compared to surrounding cities, the rate of crime in West Branch is similar. The table below shows Crime Grades for cities close to West Branch.
Nearby City | Overall Crime Grade | Violent Crime Grade | Property Crime Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
C+ | D+ | C | |
B | D | B | |
C- | D- | C- | |
C+ | D | C | |
C+ | D | C | |
D | F | D | |
C- | D- | C | |
B+ | D+ | B+ | |
B- | C | C | |
B+ | B- | B |
Crime Maps and Rates for City with Similar Populations
West Branch 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- | B+ | B+ | |
C | C | C | |
D+ | D+ | D+ | |
A | A- | A- | |
B+ | A- | A- | |
C | C- | C- | |
B | C | C | |
D- | D- | D- | |
C+ | C+ | C+ | |
A+ | B+ | B+ |
Considering only the crime rate, West Branch 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 West Branch, MI average SchoolGrade of D, with 25% actual proficiency versus 29% projected; overall, schools don't meet expectations. See West Branch 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.
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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.