City in Michigan, United States
Is Detroit safe?
Downtown, Midtown and Corktown are fine with normal city care; violent crime is concentrated in some east and west side neighborhoods.
Is Detroit safe?
Downtown, Midtown and Corktown are fine with normal city care; violent crime is concentrated in some east and west side neighborhoods. Car theft and break-ins are common.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- Homicide rate in United States: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United States: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Detroit at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Car theft and break-ins; occasional armed robbery. Violent crime has dropped from past highs but remains well above the US average. |
| At night | Downtown and Midtown are lively and well lit on event nights; elsewhere streets empty fast. Use rideshare rather than walking long distances. |
| Solo women | Fine in busy central areas with normal care; use rideshare late and avoid isolated parking structures. |
| Other risks | Winter ice and snow; Occasional wildfire smoke in summer; Heavy traffic on I-75 and I-94 |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Parking-lot attendants who demand cash for 'valet'
- Card skimmers at gas stations
Take care
- Neighbourhoods east of Woodward and east side after dark
- Leaving belongings visible in parked cars anywhere
- Walking between downtown and surrounding blocks late at night
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking age is 21 everywhere; bars and shops check ID, so carry your passport.
- Open alcohol containers in public and in cars are illegal in most places.
- Cannabis is legal in some states but federally illegal; never carry it across borders or onto federal land.
How Detroit compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| New York City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maui | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nashville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Austin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Key West | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Denver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Portland | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Savannah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Los Angeles | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Miami | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Francisco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Washington, D.C. | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Chicago | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| New Orleans | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Seattle | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Philadelphia | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Atlanta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Detroit | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Detroit safe for solo female travelers?
Fine in busy central areas with normal care; use rideshare late and avoid isolated parking structures.
Is Detroit safe at night?
Downtown and Midtown are lively and well lit on event nights; elsewhere streets empty fast. Use rideshare rather than walking long distances.
What is the crime rate in Detroit?
Car theft and break-ins; occasional armed robbery. Violent crime has dropped from past highs but remains well above the US average. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Detroit?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Detroit
Going to Detroit solo?
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Sources
- QLine Detroit (free fares, hours)
- SMART Bus
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport
- Visit Detroit
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.