Lois Larson
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is located on the southwest side of the metro area. The airport is not in the city of Detroit, and the immediate area surrounding it is not particularly attractive. The majority of Detroit's crime is inflicted by locals on other locals, and most high-crime areas are a good distance away from tourist attractions. Downtown Detroit is mostly free of crime, although you should beware of pickpockets and other small-time criminals. Detroit's public transportation system is not very safe, so it is recommended to use taxis or ridesharing services, although these can also be dangerous. If you are renting a car, be aware that Detroit has the nation's highest per-capita pedestrian fatality rate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of Detroit Airport | Southwest side of the Detroit metro area |
| Safety of the area around Detroit Airport | Safe, but not particularly attractive; mostly services relating to the airport |
| Crime rate in Detroit | High, but most crimes are inflicted by locals on other locals, not tourists |
| Safe neighborhoods in Detroit | Downtown, Midtown, Corktown, Belle Isle, Hamtramck, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Wyandotte, Dearborn, New Boston, Belleville, Flat Rock |
| Unsafe neighborhoods in Detroit | Forest Park, Chaldean Town, Poletown East, Milwaukee Junction, Petosky-Otsego, area around W. Chicago and Livernois Avenue (south of the 96 freeway in the 48204 ZIP code), east of Gratiot Avenue and west of Kelly Road (48205 ZIP code) |
| Safe transportation in Detroit | Taxis, ridesharing, and hired cars |
| Unsafe transportation in Detroit | Public buses, walking (Detroit has the nation's highest per-capita pedestrian fatality rate) |
| Other dangers in Detroit | Pickpockets, elevated risk of terrorism, tornadoes, earthquakes, mosquitoes |
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What You'll Learn
The Detroit airport isn't in the city of Detroit
The Detroit Metropolitan Airport is located in Romulus, Michigan, and not in the city of Detroit. It is accessible from I-94 via Merriman Road (exit 198), which is the nearest entrance to the Evans Terminal, and from I-275 via Eureka Road (exit 15), which is closer to the McNamara Terminal. Both entrances and the terminals are connected by John D. Dingell Drive, an expressway completed in 1999.
The area around the airport is considered safe, with numerous hotels, car rental places, motels, restaurants, and gas stations within a mile or two radius. The majority of the city of Detroit is also considered fairly safe these days. When travelling to and from the airport, you'd be nowhere near any urban residential area. The most populated area you'd be driving through is Metro Toledo, with the rest being farm country or very small towns.
The Detroit Metropolitan Airport is accessible by public transit, served by the RTA's Detroit Air Xpress (DAX), an express bus to downtown Detroit. SMART's FAST Michigan, a limited-stop bus route, also connects the airport to Detroit and Dearborn, with connections to the wider regional transit network.
It is recommended that passengers give themselves plenty of time for parking, baggage check, and TSA wait lines. For domestic flights, it is recommended to arrive two hours before departure, and three hours before an international flight.
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The area around Detroit airport is safe but not attractive
The area around Detroit Airport is safe, but not particularly attractive. The airport itself is located on the outskirts of the city, in an area filled with airport-related services, car rental places, motels, restaurants, and gas stations. The majority of Detroit's high-crime areas are located away from tourist attractions, and most crimes are inflicted by locals on other locals, not tourists. However, it is important to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, as certain neighbourhoods in Detroit, such as Forest Park, Chaldean Town, and Poletown East, are known for having higher crime rates.
Detroit's inner city and downtown areas have a higher risk of crime, including gangs and drugs, but these areas are still mostly safe for tourists, with the main concern being pickpockets and small-time criminals. It is recommended to avoid areas such as the "Red Zone", which is gang turf for the Seven Mile Bloods, and to be cautious when visiting attractions in potentially dangerous neighbourhoods, such as the Heidelberg Project, Harpos concert hall, and historic Fort Wayne.
When travelling to and from the airport and around Detroit, it is generally safe to use taxis and ride-sharing services, as long as you ensure that your driver and vehicle match the information provided by the app. Detroit has the highest per-capita pedestrian fatality rate in the nation, so it is often safer to use a taxi or ride-share than to walk, especially at night or in sparsely populated areas. Public transportation in Detroit is not considered very safe, and it is recommended to use alternative modes of transportation when possible.
While the area around Detroit Airport may not be aesthetically pleasing, there are several safe and attractive places to visit in Detroit. The suburbs, such as Hamtramck and Royal Oak, offer interesting attractions like the Henry Ford Museum, the Detroit Zoo, and Greenfield Village. Downtown West Dearborn is known for its good bars and restaurants, and Ferndale offers a fun and lively atmosphere with safe neighbourhoods. These options provide visitors with enjoyable experiences while maintaining a certain degree of safety.
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Downtown Detroit is mostly safe, but watch out for pickpockets
Downtown Detroit is mostly safe, but it's important to remain vigilant. The city has a reputation for crime, but this is often localized, with locals inflicting crime on other locals, rather than tourists. That said, it's best to avoid certain neighbourhoods, such as Forest Park, Chaldean Town, Poletown East, Milwaukee Junction, and Petosky-Otsego. The inner city is also generally riskier than the suburbs, which offer a surprising number of attractions for travellers.
The area around Detroit Airport is safe, although not particularly attractive. The airport is not located in the city of Detroit, and you would be nowhere near any urban residential areas when travelling to and from the airport. The immediate surroundings of the airport consist of services relating to the airport, such as car rental places, motels, restaurants, and gas stations.
Downtown Detroit is mostly free of the types of crime that plague other parts of the city, such as gang violence and drug-related activity. However, it is important to watch out for pickpockets and other small-time criminals who prey on travellers. To avoid becoming a victim of pickpocketing, don't carry cash around Detroit and try to pay for as much in advance as possible. If you need to exchange currency, do so before you arrive, and avoid pulling out your wallet in public.
In addition to pickpockets, there are other dangers to be aware of when visiting Detroit. The city has the nation's highest per-capita pedestrian fatality rate, so it is important to be cautious when walking around. Taxis and ridesharing services are generally safe, but make sure that your taxi is officially licensed and that your ridesharing driver and license plate match the information on your app. Public transportation in Detroit is not very safe, so it is best to avoid it if possible.
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Detroit's inner city is riskier than its suburbs
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is located in a relatively safe area. The airport is not in the city of Detroit, and the immediate surroundings are mostly hotels, car rental places, motels, restaurants, and gas stations. The route to the airport from Toledo on I75 to I275 is also considered safe.
However, Detroit's inner city is known for its high crime rates, which often overshadow the city's rich cultural and industrial heritage. The city has one of the highest violent crime rates in the nation, with a probability of 1 in 49 or 1 in 50 of becoming a victim. Violent crimes include aggravated assault, robbery, rape, murder, and non-negligent manslaughter, with assaults contributing significantly to the violent crime rate. The city also experiences a high rate of property crimes, including larceny-theft, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The chances of experiencing property crime in Detroit are 1 in 22, with a motor vehicle theft probability of 1 in 65 or 1 in 68.
Detroit's overall crime rate is 66 per one thousand residents, with violent crimes occurring at a rate of 20.59 per 1,000 residents and property crimes at 45.50 per 1,000 residents. These rates are significantly higher than the state average, placing Detroit among the top 100 most dangerous cities in the USA. The city's issues with stray dogs, drug-related crimes, and arson also contribute to its reputation for being unsafe.
While Detroit's inner city has a higher crime rate than its suburbs, it is important to note that the city has seen periods of improvement. For example, in 2006, the Detroit Police Department's Crime Analysis Unit reported a 24% decrease in crimes since the introduction of casino gaming. Additionally, private organizations have pledged funding for neighborhood revitalization efforts, indicating a commitment to improving safety and reducing crime rates in Detroit's inner city.
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Detroit has the nation's highest pedestrian fatality rate
The area around Detroit Airport is considered safe, with numerous hotels, car rental services, motels, restaurants, and gas stations within a 2-mile radius. The airport itself is not located in the city of Detroit, but the majority of the city is considered safe these days.
However, Detroit has been reported to have the highest pedestrian fatality rate in the nation. A report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2017 revealed that Detroit had the highest pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population at 6.79. Alcohol involvement was reported in 48% of traffic crashes resulting in pedestrian fatalities in 2015.
In recent years, Detroit has made efforts to improve pedestrian safety. In 2018, legislation was passed to include education on the dangers faced by pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users as part of the state's driver's education curriculum. Additionally, the city of Detroit unveiled a four-year strategic transportation plan, which includes the addition of speed humps in some neighborhoods and an improved crosswalk program in high-priority areas.
Despite these efforts, Detroit continues to rank as one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians in the United States. A 2024 study by The Texas Law Dog, a website for personal injury cases, placed Detroit fifth among the most dangerous cities for pedestrians, with the third-highest pedestrian fatality rate of 5.8 per 100,000 people.
To enhance pedestrian safety in Detroit, various measures have been recommended, including dedicated funding for safer street projects, federally endorsed street design standards focused on pedestrians, and improved lighting in key commercial districts and high-risk areas.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport isn't in the city of Detroit, and the immediate surrounding area is mostly filled with airport services, car rental places, motels, restaurants, and gas stations. However, the city of Detroit has a reputation for being unsafe, with high crime rates and the nation's highest per-capita pedestrian fatality rate.
Downtown, Midtown, Corktown, and Belle Isle are among the safest communities to visit. The suburbs are also generally safer than the inner city, with attractions such as the Henry Ford Museum, the Detroit Zoo, and Greenfield Village. Hamtramck and Royal Oak are also pleasant and safe places to visit.
Most of Detroit's high-crime areas are away from tourist attractions, and locals are more likely to be affected by crime than tourists. However, there are a few attractions in potentially dangerous neighbourhoods, including the Heidelberg Project, the Harpos concert hall on the East Side, and historic Fort Wayne. Other crime-ridden neighbourhoods to avoid include Forest Park, Chaldean Town, Poletown East, Milwaukee Junction, and Petosky-Otsego.
It is recommended not to carry cash in Detroit and to pay for as much in advance as possible to avoid pulling out your wallet. If you need to exchange currency, do so before you arrive. Taxis and ride-sharing services are generally safe, but make sure your taxi is officially licensed and that your ridesharing driver and license plate match the information on your app.
Public transportation in Detroit is not very safe, and it is recommended to use taxis or hired cars instead of city buses.
