Michigan Private Investigator Facts
ASG Investigations has compiled a list of Michigan private investigator facts. Researching how many private investigator licenses have been granted in the state of Michigan, per county, and comparing those counties with the most private investigators, as well as the least. The data below was compiled based on public information provided by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
Private investigators in Michigan are technically referred to as Michigan professional investigators. Any person or firm conducting business involving investigations, performed for a fee, needs to be licensed by the State of Michigan.
Michigan regulates private investigators under Public Act 285 of 1965, as amended (“the Act”). The Act defines a professional investigator “as a person who accepts employment to conduct investigation business.” “Investigation business” is defined as a business that accepts employment to make an investigation for the purpose of obtaining information (Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs).
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Michigan provides two types of private investigator licenses: 3701 and 3702. Professional investigators (whether independent/individual, partnerships or companies) are granted 3701 licenses. Branch offices of a Michigan private investigative agency are granted a 3702 licenses.
According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2018, Michigan had 530 employees in the occupation sector labeled “Private Detectives and Investigators” (33-9021). Detectives and criminal investigators (e.g. police) are counted under a separate category (33-3021).
The 339021 category does not include self-employed workers. As a result, the number of private detectives and investigators reported by the BLS is smaller than the number licensed by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
The BLS reports that Michigan has a location quotient of .58. This represents the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment relative to the national average concentration. A location quotient of less than one indicates that the occupation of private detectives and investigators is less prevalent in a given area than nationally. In other words, there are fewer private detectives and investigators in Michigan than the national average.
The following statistics were derived utilizing information is provided from the State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs; American Community Survey, 2018, 2019:
1. Number of professional investigator licenses in MichiganAccording to Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the state has issued 948 (current) professional investigator licenses (3701 and 3702 combined). Among these licenses, 929 are 3701 licenses, and 19 are 3702 licenses.
2. Michigan counties with the most (greatest number of) private investigators
Figure 1: 10 Michigan Counties with the Most Licensed Professional Investigators (3701)
These are the 10 counties in Michigan with the greatest number of licensed (3701) professional investigators. Among this group, Wayne County has the most investigators (192), while Berrian County has the fewest (19). Total counts for each county are not related to population size, meaning a larger county may have fewer investigators than a smaller county.
These are the 10 Michigan counties with the greatest number of licensed private investigators (3701 and 3702 combined). Among this group, Wayne County has the most investigators (196), while Berrian and Ottawa have the fewest (21). As noted in Figure 1, total counts for each county are not related to population size.
3. Michigan Counties with only one professional investigator
These 8 Michigan counties have only one private investigator with a 3701 license. They are listed in order of population size (smallest to largest).
These 9 Michigan counties have only one professional investigator (3701 and 3702 combined). They are listed in order of population size (smallest to largest).
4. Michigan Counties with no professional investigators (3701), ordered by size of population
These Michigan counties have reported no private investigators with a 3701 license. They are listed in order of population size (largest to smallest).
These Michigan counties have no investigators with a 3701 or 3702 license. They are listed in order of population size (largest to smallest).
5. Michigan Counties with the most professional investigators per 1,000 population (Rate = number of investigators per 1,000 inhabitants of the county.)
These 10 Michigan counties have the highest rate of professional investigators with a 3701 license. The rate is a ratio reflecting how many investigators there are to people in a particular population (e.g. population of a county). Among these 10 counties, Iron County has the highest rate (.18 per 1,000 residents), while Otsego County has the lowest (.12 per 1,000 residents).
Another way of expressing the rate is per 100,000 population. Using this formula, Iron County has 18 professional investigators per 100,000 population, while Otsego County has 12.
These 10 Michigan counties have the highest rate of professional investigators (3701 and 3702 licenses combined) per 1,000 population. Among these 10 counties, Iron County has the highest rate (.18 per 1,000), similar to Figure 4. Here, Berrian County has the lowest rate (.14 per 1,000) (rather than Otsego). Put another way, Iron County has 18 professional investigators per 100,000 population, while Berrian County has 14.
6. Michigan counties with the fewest professional investigators (per 1,000 population)
These 10 Michigan counties have the lowest rate of professional investigators with a 3701 license per 1,000 residents. Among these 10 counties, Tuscola County has the lowest rate (.02 per 1,000), while Iosco County has the highest (.04). Alternatively, Tuscola County has 2 private investigators per 100,000 population, while Iosco County has 4.
These 10 Michigan counties have the lowest rate of licensed professional investigators (3701 and 3702 combined) per 1,000 population. While the counties here are the same as in Figure 5, some are ordered differently. Overall, as in Figure 5, Tuscola County has the lowest rate (.02 per 1,000), while Iosco County has the highest (.04).
7. Most populous counties by investigator per 1,000 population
These are the 10 most populous Michigan counties ranked by number of private investigators by 1,000 population rate. Wayne county, which would include a Detroit private investigator, has the highest rate (.1), while Saginaw has the lowest (.06).
8. Michigan cities with the most professional investigators
These are the 10 Michigan cities with the greatest number of licensed professional investigators (3701). Among this group, Detroit private investigators (46) ranked 1st, Livonia private investigators ranked 3rd, Royal Oak and Troy private investigators were 5th and 6th, while Bloomfield Hills has the fewest (14).
These are the 10 Michigan cities with the greatest number of licensed professional investigators (3701 and 3702 combined). As in Figure 8, Detroit has the most investigators, although two have been added (48). In addition, Sterling Heights has the fewest investigators (15), compared to Bloomfield Hills in Figure 8.
9. Michigan cities with the most professional investigators (per 1,000 population)
These 10 Michigan cities have the highest rate of professional investigators with a 3701 license per 1,000 population. Among these 10 counties, Houghton Lake has the highest rate (10.4 per 1,000), Novi private investigator placed 3rd, while Bloomfield Hills has the lowest (3.5). If one added Birmingham private investigators to neighboring Bloomfield Hills, that number would be significantly higher.
These 10 Michigan cities have the highest rate of professional investigators with a 3701 and/or 3702 license per 1,000 population. Novi has the highest rate (13.3 per 1,000), while Bloomfield Hills has the lowest (3.5).
10. Cities with the fewest Michigan private investigators (per 1,000 population)
These 10 Michigan cities have the lowest rate of professional investigators with a 3701 license per 1,000 population. Among these 10 cities, Macomb Township has the lowest rate (.01 per 1,000), while Van Buren Township has the highest (.04). Put another way, Macomb Township has 1 professional investigator per 100,000 population, while Van Buren Township has 4.
These 10 Michigan cities have the lowest rate of licenses professional investigators (3701 and 3702 combined) per 1,000 population. All the cities are the same as in Figure 12. Once again, Macomb Township has the lowest rate (.01 per 1,000), while Van Buren Township has the highest (.04).
11. Michigan’s most populous cities ranked by rate per thousand
These are the 10 most populous cities in Michigan ordered by rate of investigator per 1,000 residents. Among this group, Livonia has the greatest rate (.3), and Dearborn has the lowest (.05).
12. Michigan Zip Codes with more than one professional investigator
These are the only Michigan Zip Codes with more than one professional investigator (3701 license). The greatest number of private investigators (6) reside in 48026 in Macomb County. (ASG Investigations is a Macomb County private investigative agency).
These are the only Zip Codes in Michigan that have more than one professional investigator (3701 and 3702 licenses combined). All the Zip Codes in this Figure are the same as in Figure 15, but a new one has been added (48118).
13. 5 Michigan Licenses with the oldest issue dates
Among the current 3701 licenses, the oldest (by date of issue) was initially registered in 1962.
Among the current 3702 licenses, the oldest (by date of issue) was first registered in 1988.
Among the current 3701 and 3702 combined licenses, the oldest (by date of issue) was initially registered in 1962. All of the licenses in this group (3701 and 3702) are 3701 licenses.
14. 5 Michigan Licenses with the newest issue dates
Among current 3701 professional investigator licenses, the most recent (by date of issue) was registered on 10/25/2019.
Among current 3702 professional investigator licenses, the most recent (by date of issue) was registered on 11/1/2019.
Among current 3701 and 3702 professional investigator licenses, the most recent (by date of issue) was registered on 11/1/2019.
Typical services provided by a Michigan private investigator include surveillance, Michigan background checks, Michigan asset searches, locate investigations, online dating investigations, Michigan infidelity investigations, GPS vehicle tracking in Michigan, and Michigan child support investigations.
Private Investigation Services
ASG Investigations is one of the top private investigator firms in Metropolitan Detroit. We work with businesses, attorneys, and private individuals to deliver the data, details, and information you need through our private investigation services in a timely manner and with complete confidentiality.
Background Checks
There are plenty of online resources that will deliver a fast and succinct background check on a person when you need it, but these results will not be thorough, and they may not be up to date or even correct. When you are looking for reliable, timely information to give you peace of mind about a new hire, a potential business partner, a new nanny, a love interest, or otherwise, a thorough, professional background check is your best legitimate source of information.
Surveillance
Surveillance is the act of gathering information in a discreet manner and without the subject’s knowledge to produce evidence of an act like cheating, unethical behavior at work, and outside threats. These investigations are carried out legally, professionally, and confidentially.
Investigative methods during surveillance are customized to each client and can include taking photos, using vehicle tracking devices, tracing emails and internet activity, employing electronic eavesdropping detection, conducting asset searches, and using other high-tech surveillance equipment.
Infidelity Investigations
If you suspect cheating in your marriage or relationship, an undercover infidelity investigation will provide concrete proof of an affair if one exists by following your spouse or partner, identifying who he or she spends time with, monitoring internet activity, taking photos and videos, conducting asset searches, using a vehicle tracking device, and other pertinent surveillance tools. Discretion is key, and an experienced undercover private investigator has the tactics and the subtlety to conduct a thorough investigation to gather the answers you need.
People Locate Investigations
It may seem that people finding would be easy for just about anyone with access to a computer, but quick online discoveries often turn into dead ends and leads go cold. Online details are often inaccurate, incomplete, or cloaked. A professional people locate investigation carried out by a savvy private investigator makes it possible to find a lost love, lost family member, runaway, former classmate, or missing person locally or globally. If someone wants to remain hidden, they can make it happen – but with professional resources your chances of finding them increase tenfold.
Asset Searches
Asset searches are necessary for many situations, from divorce proceedings to new business deals. It is in your best interest to hire a Michigan private investigator to uncover relevant financial information for the situation you’re dealing with, whether you’re seeking to uncover tangible or intangible assets that a spouse has hidden or whether you are considering aligning yourself with a new contractor or partner for business purposes.
Online Dating Investigations
Online dating is a common way to meet a match, but the safety of this method is always in question. Is the person you’re dating real? Do they have the background they claim to have? Are they single? Are they only after your money? If you have been corresponding with someone for a while and it’s time to meet, or if you’re concerned about a loved one’s attachment to a person they met online, an online dating investigation will identify inconsistencies and dangers, from gold digging to catfishing, cheating to criminals. Find out what a person’s true intentions are through an online dating investigation.
Child Support
In some divorce cases, the person responsible for paying child support may attempt to hide assets to lower their payments. A child support asset search can identify all the financial resources of the spouse, even hidden assets. A Michigan child support investigation can also uncover necessary information when you’re dealing with a deadbeat father or mother, such as the person’s location, name and address of their employer, and a list of tangible assets, from cars to real estate, so you can get the child support payments you are owed.
Hire ASG Investigations for Your Private Investigation in Michigan
Trust the best private investigators serving the metro Detroit, Michigan, area at ASG Investigations. Our team is experienced, knowledgeable, tech-savvy, discreet, and efficient, and our investigators persevere until they have the answers you seek. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.
If you are looking to hire a Michigan private investigator, ASG Investigations can help! With offices in Clinton Township, Novi and Birmingham, our investigators work throughout the Metro Detroit area and beyond. Areas of service include but are not limited to Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Warren, Sterling Heights, Shelby Township, Troy, Plymouth, Southfield, as well as Ann Arbor, Flint and Grand Rapids. Give us a call today to discuss our private investigator facts and how they accommodate your needs!