Rising Concerns: Crime Trends in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

Drug paraphernalia found in Millpond Park in Mt. Pleasant.

Let me start by saying I have lived in Isabella County now for 8 years and absolutely love it. However, I have seen it change in the last few years in a way I never imagined.

As a CPL Instructor, I hear people often say, "That doesn't happen in our town. That sounds paranoid." My response: "An ostrich ignores the threat—until it’s too late. A head in the sand is no plan."

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan—home to Central Michigan University and a tight-knit community—is facing growing concerns from residents over rising crime rates. While the city has many strengths, recent data and community feedback suggest that crime (both violent and property) is increasing in frequency and severity.

What the Data Says

• According to NeighborhoodScout, Mt. Pleasant’s overall crime rate (violent + property) is significantly higher than in most Michigan towns and well above averages for communities of similar size. NeighborhoodScout

  • The violent crime rate is especially concerning — residents’ chance of becoming a victim is about 1 in 164. NeighborhoodScout

  • Property crime is also high: about 22 crimes per 1,000 residents. NeighborhoodScout

• On CrimeGrade.org, Mt. Pleasant has an overall crime rate of ~26 per 1,000 residents in a typical year. Some neighborhoods (particularly central areas) show much higher risks; other parts (like the southwest) are safer. CrimeGrade.org

• Historical trends show that in years like 2017–2018 there were notable increases in crime rate over prior years. For example, the crime rate in 2018 rose by ~25% above its 2017 level. Macrotrends And these numbers keep increasing year by year. And even if a year goes down slightly, the overall net increase is still much higher than years past.

• Public sentiment echoes the numbers. On platforms like Nextdoor, many residents say that incidents of petty theft, vandalism, auto theft, and other property crimes feel more common. nextdoor.com

• CrimeGrade.org states that the crime grade for Mt. Pleasant is a D+ with an overall rating of a C. According to them, the total projected cost of crime in Mount Pleasant for 2025 is $14,065,573. This translates to approximately $393 per resident and $902 per household. On average, crime-related costs account for 1.3% of the median household income in Mount Pleasant.

Crime in Mt. Pleasant is something many residents worry about, and the data suggests that the rates of both violent and property crime are higher than in many comparable towns — and in many cases trending upward. The good news is that many of the drivers are visible and addressable, if there is political will, budget priority, and community engagement.

For now, get yourself trained and be prepared for when the trouble searches for you. It's not a scare tactic. It's not being paranoid. It's being prepared. When trouble comes, will you be ready?