Is Warren Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Warren, Michigan, was once a suburb of Detroit but is now a city in its own right, and the third-largest city in Michigan with 140,000 people.

It is near Lake St. Clair, between Lake Huron and Lake Erie of the Great Lakes.

Warren began as a trading post in the early 1800s.

It had several names over the years and became an incorporated city in 1957.

Up to 1970, it was one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, and since then, has been declining rapidly.

It has a large General Motors operation, as well as military vehicle type operations.

It is home to the Edsel Ford mansion, as well as many other historical sights.

There are many parks and outdoor activities to enjoy.

It has interesting things of its own and is a good launching point for exploring Detroit, or the Great Lakes areas.

It does have a high crime rate but has many safe areas as well.

Warnings & Dangers in Warren

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

There is a one in 53 chance of being a crime victim in Warren. It has a crime rate that is 81 percent higher than cities in the state of all sizes. There are some good areas, however, that are safe. There is significant risk in certain areas, so it is important to know where you are. It is not the largest city but has a level of big-city crime.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

There is a reliable bus system that is integrated with Detroit, so it is easy to get around the entire metropolitan area. Taxis are licensed and available everywhere. There are very few incidents reported concerning taxis in Warren. Buses are generally safe but can get a little sketchy at night. Avoid taking buses into bad areas of town.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Especially on public transport and in crowded public areas, pickpockets are a problem in Warren and the greater Detroit area. Pickpockets are not as common as they once were, but there are still a large number of people that will try to steal from travelers when they can. It is more likely they will steal something left unattended.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

While Warren is near lakes and rivers, there is very little flooding. There are no mountains, so the risk of earthquakes is very small. Snow can get heavy in winter and cause a lot of hazards, but these are also usually predictable. There is very little risk of a natural disaster, but anything can happen.

MUGGING RISK: HIGH

There is a lot of crime in Warren, especially in certain areas of the city. Avoid those areas. There is also a criminal element in the better areas of the town at night, so you should not be out alone at night. In the bad areas, the risk is very high, and it is medium even in the good areas. General precautions should keep you safe.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

A city with a dense population like Warren is an area that terrorists like to target, but so far at least there have not been any incidents. There may be shootings at times in certain areas, and there is gun violence at times. It is a place to remain vigilant about safety, but there has been very little real terrorism here.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There are occasional fake taxis or fake tickets sold on the street, but this is not a huge problem here. Scams are usually online and not limited to a specific area. Crime is more involved in stealing physical property rather than using a scam. Even so, don't agree to go on a tour with anyone on the street.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Women traveling alone should be careful and vigilant. If you stay in tourist areas, you should be safe. There have been a lot of rapes reported, well above the national average in this area. Avoid being alone and don't go anywhere with anyone you do not know or trust. Some areas are not safe at all.

TAP WATER RISK: MEDIUM

For the most part, tap water is safe, but there have been reports of pollution in the Detroit metropolitan area. In most good hotels and restaurants, the water is fine and there should be no problem. Be careful in general public areas about drinking tap water.

Safest Places to Visit in Warren

The safest places in Warren are the tourist areas and public areas of the city.

The Ford Mansion is a safe place that is interesting to visit, and the area has a lot of older historical homes with interesting architecture.

These are upscale areas with little danger.

The Arctic Ring of Life, and the Red Oaks Nature Center, are natural areas to explore that are also very safe.

The central part of town has the lowest number of crimes reported.

Places to Avoid in Warren

The southeast area is considered the most dangerous part of Warren, with a one in 12 chance of being a crime victim there.

In the northwest, the safest area, that rate is one in 51.

The central part of Warren has the lowest number of crimes, averaging about 200 in a typical year.

That area is heavily residential and an older part of town.

It is the opposite of many cities, where the central part is the worst.

Assault is the most common violent crime, and theft is the most common property crime.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Warren

Know the area. Warren, Michigan has some very bad and unsafe areas. Get to know the area and avoid those areas. Staying away from bad areas will keep you mostly safe in this town that has a high crime rate. The good areas are very good and safe.
Lock your car and hotel room. Keep doors locked to remain safe. Most people will not break a lock to commit a crime. It is a good idea to keep your car locked while you are driving. Many crimes happen because people are careless about locking their doors.
Hide your stuff. Even locking your car does not make it safe. Put valuables in the trunk of your car, or at least cover them with a towel or a piece of clothing. If no one is around, some people will break open a window to steal something of value.
Park carefully. Park your car in well-lit areas where other cars are parked. Don’t park in isolated areas or near alleys. Think about returning to your car and what the situation will be like then. Avoid making your car a target, and avoid having to go to an isolated area to get into your car later.
Don’t look like a tourist. A tourist is often an attractive target because they don’t know the area and maybe a little more vulnerable. Avoid looking like a typical tourist. Try to fit into your environment and look like a local person as much as possible.
Be confident. Act like you know where you are and where you are going at all times. It is OK to ask for directions, but if you look lost or confused, you will be more of a target for criminals. Avoid pulling out a paper map while you are on the street. Use your phone for directions.
Trust your instincts. If a situation feels bad, get out of it immediately. It is better to be wrong than to be right and fall victim to a crime. Your instincts are there for a reason and, in most cases, they will be right. Being aware of your feelings is part of staying safe.
Avoid the night. Warren has a bad reputation that is deserved. Avoid being out in public at night as much as possible, and don’t go alone. Nighttime is when criminals come out and that is when most crime happens. A criminal is more likely to attack a person alone than a group of people.
Hide your money. Use a money belt and keep your money out of sight. Don’t count money in public. Keep your wallet or purse in a safe place. Avoid letting anyone see where you put your money or how much you have.
Stay alert. The tourist areas are for the most part safe during the day, but bad things can happen even there. Of course, you need to be extra careful in not-so-good areas, but even in safe areas, pay attention to your surroundings to remain safe. There’s no need to be over-anxious, but just staying aware will keep you safe.

So... How Safe Is Warren Really?

The crime rate in Warren, MI, is above the state and national averages.

It is not nearly as high as its neighbor, Detroit, which has the second-highest violent crime rate in the nation.

The violent crime rate in Warren is 282 per 100,000 people, which is 80 points above the national average.

That is still less than half the rate of Detroit.

The crime rate has also fallen steadily in recent years as it has increased in Detroit.

The violent crime rate per 100,000 has fallen 33 points since 2015 in Warren.

While the crime rate remains relatively high, it seems to be on a downward trend in many areas.

The property crime rate has fallen dramatically in Warren over the last five years, but it is still high.

Since 2015, the property crime rate has fallen nearly 100 points, down to 181 per 100,000, which is only five points above the national average.

The number of rapes has fallen dramatically, from 125 per 100,000 in 2016 to 66 per 100,000 in 2020.

Robberies have gone down but assaults have gone up in recent years.

Petty theft has gone down in recent years, but auto thefts have increased.

Warren is safer than Detroit, and how much that affects safety in Warren is an interesting question that there is no clear answer to.

The overall violent crime rate is not a lot above the state average.

The property crime rate is also close to the state average.

The further west you go towards Detroit, the higher the crime rate is.

The very eastern parts, near the lakes, are much safer.

How Does Warren Compare?

City	Safety Index
Warren	58
Houston	59
Atlanta	58
St. Louis	58
Los Angeles	56
Oakland	57
New Orleans	57
Sao Paulo (Brazil)	45
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)	43
Sofia (Bulgaria)	73
Siem Reap (Cambodia)	63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Niagara Falls (Canada)	87

Useful Information

Visas

Visas are needed to enter the United States. You will have to get your visa before coming to the country. Once inside the country, you will not need it but you can use it as identification.

Currency

The standard currency is the U.S. Dollar, and that is the only kind of cash accepted by almost all businesses. Credit cards from other countries are accepted and currency exchange is part of the transaction. You may exchange currency at any bank.

Weather

Summers are hot but not unbearable. Winters can be very cold and there is a lot of snow at times. Wear light and loose-fitting clothing in summer, and bundle up if you are there in the winter months.

Airports

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport is 29 miles to the southwest, and there are other public airports in the Detroit area. The Canton-Plymouth Mettatel Airport is 25 miles to the north. Both are serviced by buses and taxis that will take you to Warren.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is there to protect you when things go wrong. It is not very expensive, and it is good to have the peace of mind of knowing it is there.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Warren Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan -3° C

Feb -3° C

Mar 3° C

Apr 9° C

May 16° C

Jun 21° C

Jul 24° C

Aug 23° C

Sep 19° C

Oct 12° C

Nov 6° C

Dec 0° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	1	1	7	14	21	26	29	28	23	16	9	3
Low °C	-7	-6	-2	4	10	16	19	18	14	7	2	-3
High °F	34	34	45	57	70	79	84	82	73	61	48	37
Low °F	19	21	28	39	50	61	66	64	57	45	36	27

Michigan - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Ann Arbor	63
Battle Creek	45
Dearborn	77
Detroit	56
Farmington Hills	72
Flat Rock	81
Flint	47
Frankenmuth	84
Glen Arbor	76
Grand Rapids	73
Houghton	82
Ironwood	83
Kalamazoo	44
Lansing	41
Livonia	76
Mackinac Island	83
Mackinaw City	78
Macomb	84
Marquette	78
Muskegon	72
Pontiac	45
Port Huron	73
Saginaw	42
Sault Ste. Marie	82
Sterling Heights	78
Taylor	68
Traverse City	77
Troy	78
Warren	58

Is Warren Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Michigan : Safety by City