Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Detroit
Go Back To Previous PageDetroit, known as Motor City, has long carried a reputation for crime — a reputation that’s shifting faster than most older “most dangerous cities” lists reflect. Read on for the ten neighborhoods that still drive Detroit’s higher-crime reputation, alongside the citywide trend that’s genuinely changed in the last three years.
It’s also Michigan’s largest metro area by population, home to the Lions, Tigers, and Pistons, and a genuinely bustling Midwestern hub.
Is Detroit Safe? The 2025 Numbers Are a Real Turnaround
This is the most important update to make to any older “dangerous neighborhoods in Detroit” post: Detroit’s homicide count has fallen for three straight years and is now at its lowest level since 1964. Detroit recorded 165 homicides in 2025, down from 203 in 2024 and 252 in 2023 — a roughly 19% year-over-year drop in each of the last two years. Non-fatal shootings fell to 447 in 2025 (down from 603 in 2024 and 1,176 in 2020), and carjackings dropped to 77 in 2025 from 142 in 2024. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison called it the lowest homicide count of his 30-plus-year career.
This doesn’t mean every neighborhood improved at the same rate, and Detroit still faces real, concentrated challenges in specific areas — economic hardship and elevated crime haven’t disappeared. But the citywide trend line is genuinely positive, and any post that cites only older, pre-decline figures without noting this presents a meaningfully outdated picture.
Belmont, Van Steuben, and Fishkorn tend to come up first in conversations about Detroit’s toughest neighborhoods, but they’re not the only ones worth knowing about. This isn’t meant to sensationalize the city or assign blame — having spent time there, the resilience of Detroit and its residents is real and worth acknowledging.
Below are ten neighborhoods that have historically posted some of the city’s highest crime rates, based on the most recent neighborhood-level data available (2022, cited to local police and AreaVibes data, since no fresher neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown has been published).
1. Belmont
Belmont has historically ranked as Detroit’s highest-crime neighborhood, marked by elevated rates of murder and shootings. Per 2022 data, its crime rate ran 664% above the national average, with roughly a 1-in-8 chance of becoming a crime victim. Gang activity has historically driven much of the robbery, assault, and drug-related crime here. The median home price is $29,300.
2. Petoskey-Otsego
Petoskey-Otsego, with a population of 7,177, had a crime rate cited at 626% above the Michigan average in 2022 data — roughly a 1-in-8 chance of becoming a victim. The median home price here is $23,667, about 81% below the state average.
3. Van Steuben
Van Steuben, in Detroit’s northern reaches, has a population of 6,379. Per 2022 data, its crime rate was 593% above the national average. High poverty has left many buildings in disrepair; median income sits at $34,416, and the median home price at just $30,738.
4. Fishkorn
Fishkorn’s cited 2022 crime rate ran 577% above the Michigan state average. Median home price: $22,662, roughly 59% below the national average.
5. Warrendale
Warrendale, population 17,200, had a crime rate 576% above Michigan’s average in 2022 data. Urban decay and population decline have followed a long-running lack of job opportunities, and the median home price has fallen to just $17,650.
6. Greensbriar
Greensbriar, with a population of 2,531, had a crime rate 549% above the national average as of 2022. Median income is $31,313, and the median home price is $31,200.
7. Franklin Park
Franklin Park, with a population of 11,290, had a crime rate 543% above the national average in 2022. Median income: $29,235; median home price: $30,264.
8. Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald, population 5,100, had a crime rate 516% above the Michigan average in 2022 data. Recent revitalization efforts haven’t fully offset ongoing urban decay, unemployment, poverty, and underperforming schools.
9. The Eye
The Eye takes its name from community watch groups formed in the 1980s to deter break-ins. Population 3,437, cited 2022 crime rate 479% above the Michigan average.
10. Poletown East
Poletown East, with just 517 residents, had a crime rate 307% above the Michigan average in 2022. Poverty here is severe, with average income at just $16,286.
Detroit Crime Data at a Glance
| Metric | Figure | Data As Of |
|---|---|---|
| Citywide homicides | 165 | 2025 (lowest since 1964) |
| Homicide rate | ~26 per 100,000 | 2025 |
| Non-fatal shootings | 447 (down from 1,176 in 2020) | 2025 |
| Carjackings | 77 (down 46% YoY) | 2025 |
| Neighborhood-level crime rates above | See individual entries | 2022, most recent available |
Sources: City of Detroit official press release (January 2026), Detroit Police Department. Neighborhood-level figures are cited to local police and AreaVibes data from 2022, the most recent neighborhood-level breakdown publicly available at the time of writing.
FAQ
Is Detroit’s crime rate improving?
Yes, significantly. Detroit recorded 165 homicides in 2025, the lowest count since 1964, continuing a three-year decline (252 in 2023, 203 in 2024). Non-fatal shootings and carjackings have also dropped sharply.
Which Detroit neighborhoods have the highest crime rates?
Based on the most recent available neighborhood-level data (2022), Belmont, Petoskey-Otsego, and Van Steuben have historically posted the city’s highest crime rates. A fresher, neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown hasn’t been published since, so treat these as directional rather than current-to-the-month.
Is Detroit safer than it used to be?
By homicide count, yes, substantially — 2025’s total is the lowest in over 60 years. Economic hardship and elevated crime remain concentrated in specific neighborhoods even as the citywide trend improves.
Final Thoughts
Detroit has always been a city of contrasts, with a rich history and culture on one side, and neighborhoods grappling with poverty and crime on the other. The neighborhoods facing these challenges represent some of the toughest issues the city continues to confront, even as the citywide numbers move in a genuinely positive direction.
Remember that behind these statistics are real people, many of whom are doing their best under challenging circumstances. Although these neighborhoods may rank among the most troubled by crime historically, they also highlight the urgent need for continued investment and support in Detroit — alongside real acknowledgment of the progress the city has made.
For similar looks at cities with comparable recent crime trends, see our guides to Baltimore and Portland.
Georges has been working in Wall Street for the last 16 years trading derivatives with hedge funds. He has been an active real estate investor for over a decade. Georges graduated from HEC Business School in Paris and holds a master in Finance from ESADE Barcelona.
