Is Troy Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Troy, Michigan, is a Detroit suburb consistently ranking near the top of “Best Places to Live” and “Safest Cities” lists.

Its central location and wealth of activities make it a great option for a visit to the Detroit metro area.

Big Beaver Road is the main drag where many shopping and dining destinations are, while the busy I-75 interstate offers a bounty of hotels for all budgets.

You can be in downtown Detroit within 30 minutes, getting the best of the suburban safety of the region while exploring the urban amenities.

Troy is home to nearly 88,000 people and offers an upscale shopping mall with a more traditional mall that has been serving the area since the 1960s.

There’s also an Amtrak station here, along with other stops for using the suburban bus system.

One of the main attractions here has nothing to do with shopping.

Troy Historic Village takes you as far back as the 1940s to explore the origins of the city, from the pioneer days to the industrial age.

One dozen historical buildings fill out the five-acre village.

Parking is free; you’ll need to book tickets online for a certain date and time.

NOTE:

Troy is a city in the Detroit area, while Troy Township is 220 miles on the other side of the state.

The two names can’t be used interchangeably.

Warnings & Dangers in Troy

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Troy has a low overall risk, with exceptionally low crime rates and a plethora of things to do. If you can't find it in Troy, bordering communities will likely have whatever you are looking for, and those are all relatively safe as well.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

The SMART bus system goes through Troy, which is the suburban bus system. It doesn't have routes to Detroit, so you'd need to find a SMART stop where D-DOT also stops. Taxis and rideshares are a faster way to get to Detroit or around the suburbs. Rental cars offer the most flexibility.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Six pickpockets were reported in 2021, which is very minimal compared to the potential with such a robust shopping area. While the risk is low, the possibility is present. Just use standard safety precautions to protect your purse and wallet.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Winter storms, spring tornadoes, summer storms and heat, and fall bringing a mixture of any of the above, you should always be weather aware in the Detroit area. All risks come with advisories and warnings, but don't get caught off guard. Check the weather daily and have emergency alerts set up for safety.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The risk itself is low, but it gets even lower when you see all robberies in businesses or private homes. 2021 had no highway robberies reported.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk is low in Troy, but all Detroit is a potential target with a booming economy, proximity to the border, and large population. MiReady is the state's initiative to educate people on terror concerns and protection levels. You can find that on the state's official website.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The typical consumer scams are the biggest concern here. Lower any potential risk by keeping all credit card receipts until you can shred them, never giving out personal information, and protecting your credit card PIN when entering it.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another low risk, assuming women take basic personal safety steps. From outdoor adventures to shopping and spa days, this community offers many safe places to explore day and night.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report shows full compliance and no violations for 2021. By June of each year, a new report should be available online. You can also call (248)524-3370 during regular business hours if you have questions.

Safest Places to Visit in Troy

While Troy doesn’t have an official tourism site, there are plenty of cyber-safe websites to learn about options in the city and region.

Pure Michigan is the brand for the state, and Visit Detroit has options broken down into counties.

Troy is in Oakland County.

There are at least six other cities in the country named Troy, so always confirm you’re researching in Michigan and the location has a 248 area code.

Troy Historic Village is a must-see in this city.

Tours are available with self-guided or docent-led options.

Another bonus is that it’s open throughout the year.

Buildings range from a log cabin with original axes marks still visible to one of the few homes on the National Register of Historic Places in Troy.

There is a museum as well mixed in with the historical spaces.

Check the village’s Facebook page @TroyHistVillage for updated event information.

For more history nearby, check out the Clawson Historical Museum, just 15 minutes south of the village.

It is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Oakland Mall and the Somerset Collection are two shopping districts in Troy.

Oakland Mall offers more mainstream brands with some outlet options, like Macy’s Backstage.

March 2023 brings Choco Town to the mall, which is an immersive experience that might make you feel like you’re in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

The Somerset Collection is more upscale, with brands like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Personal shoppers, concierge service, and valet parking are also offered at the Somerset Collection.

The Stage Nature Center is set on 100 acres with four trails covering two miles, but that’s just one part of this interactive and educational attraction.

The interpretive center includes a kids’ play area set in a dinosaur boneyard, a wall of reptiles and aquatic animals, and a wildlife observation area.

Sylvan Glen is a multipurpose outdoor area, offering golf holes for beginners when it’s warm outside and cross-country skiing trails after a winter storm.

Golfers can find the perfect course for their skill level between Sylvan Glen and Sanctuary Lake.

Download the Golf Troy app to stay updated on course availability and rates.

The Cranbrook Institute of Science is just 15 minutes west of Troy, with some of the most prehistoric adventures around.

Whether you want to know about rocks, water, woodlands, or the Ice Age, there are permanent exhibits covering each of those with rotating exhibits throughout the year.

Do NOT miss the chance to get your picture taken in the jaw of the most massive shark ever to exist – the Megalodon!

Still want more scary or scaly animals?

Head about 10 minutes west to the Reptarium.

This is a zoo just for reptiles.

As I look at this, I’m torn between laughing and having a panic attack.

You see, I went to a zoo as a child with my big sister.

You could take photos with an animal – a snake or a koala.

I chose the koala, but my sister told me I had to “face my fear” and take a picture with the snake.

I survived, and you will, too, at the Reptarium, where interactive exhibits include snakes, tarantulas, and turtles.

I, however, recommend you go for the sloth.

Places to Avoid in Troy

Does anyone remember the rap battle in the movie 8 Mile where Eminem’s character slays his opponent by saying, “You went to Cranbrook; that’s a private school.”

That school is just across the interstate from Troy.

There aren’t bad neighborhoods in Troy, by Detroit or national standards.

Avoid being in a rush if you need to take Big Beaver Road.

It’s intentionally turned into an entertainment corridor with businesses, restaurants, and shopping options to make up for Troy not having a downtown.

The traffic can be intense at times, and you should control any temptation toward road rage.

A search result shows a listing for the Big Beaver Shuttle, which goes through the main shopping areas on two different routes, but I honestly can’t find anything that suggests this option is still available.

Check with the city before your visit to see if the shuttle is still running or if a replacement has been named.

If you can afford to shop at the Somerset Collection, use the amenities like concierge and valet to protect your vehicle and purchases while shopping.

You don’t want a potential thief to see you loading bags of Saks Fifth Avenue stuff into your car and then returning inside.

At Oakland Mall, use standard precautions and don’t leave your car unlocked or any valuables in plain sight.

Thieves are known to walk the lot and try door handles, looking for an easy mark.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Troy

So... How Safe Is Troy Really?

Troy used to top the list of the safest city in Michigan, taking the top spot at least 12 times this century.

While it has fallen from the top of the ranks, it’s still a safe city with violent crime rates 75% lower than the national average.

The real challenge will be stopping the increase in violent crime.

For example, in 2017, Troy had a violent crime rate of 64 incidents per 100,000 people.

In 2021, that number was 112 per 100,000.

At the same time, theft rates have been cut in half during the past decade.

Now, it’s all still VERY low.

It’s just going in the wrong direction.

It would just take another six years at that increase rate to be at the national average.

Aside from the potential for random acts of violence, which can happen anywhere, the biggest crime risks here are due to acts of negligence.

For example, in September 2022, a rash of gym locker thefts was reported.

People had left their belongings in lockers but unlocked, leading to stolen wallets and major credit card charges made in the next hour.

Some people didn’t even realize their credit card had been stolen since their wallet was still there.

One thing I’d be negligent myself not to mention – Detroit has been a series of highway shootings in recent years.

Several have been on I-75, which runs through Troy, and one of the shootings in 2018 was on the Troy section of the interstate.

“We have seen everything from road rage, where someone cut someone off, and they decided, ‘I’m going to pull my gun and shoot you, and if I hit an innocent person on the freeway, so be it,’” Detroit Police Chief James White said.

“I think what causes it to happen more frequently on the freeways is the ease of escape.”

These shootings have happened so often that there’s an initiative called Operation Brison underway.

It’s named after a two-year-old boy who was a victim while riding in a car with his family.

While police work to crack down on these crimes, you can do your part by avoiding any aggressive driving or reacting to other aggressive drivers and staying aware of vehicles on the surrounding road.

The freeway shootings are a problem across the region, and not specifically in Troy.

It’s just good to know when spending time in a safe community like Troy that the dangers of Detroit could be driving through any neighborhood.

How Does Troy Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

International visitors need a visa and passport to enter the United States. Another option is a Visa Waiver if you are from a country that is on the approved list. A full list can be found on the U.S. State Department or Border Patrol websites. With extensive wait times for tourist visas, don't wait to apply. Start today using the Visa Wizard module on the State Department's website.

Currency

You can only use the U.S. Dollar here, and exchanging currency in your home city is the best way to avoid elevated fees. Credit cards are the best option here as they provide fraud protection and insurance on major purchases. Don't throw receipts away without shredding them.

Weather

Spring and fall can be pleasant in Detroit, but you'll want a mix of clothing for fluctuating temperatures. Winter will almost always require a thick coat and cold-weather accessories. Summers will be hot and humid. You'll want bug spray and comfortable walking shoes.

Airports

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour from Troy, depending on traffic and which route you take. Don't rely on public transportation if you don't have a car, as the shortest route takes two hours with different stops and routes.

Travel Insurance

We always recommend travel insurance to a severe-weather-prone area like Detroit. You can get peace of mind in case of delays or cancelations. If you purchase it with your airfare, it will go into effect immediately.

Troy Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Michigan - Safety by City