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D

Is Buffalo Grove, Illinois Safe?

Population 42,812 · Safer than 18% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Buffalo Grove faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 82% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,585 per 100K.

Buffalo Grove Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBuffalo GroveIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate406.9323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2231.02036.01,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate256.0--268.2
Theft Rate1585.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate519.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

263.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

407/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2231/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Buffalo Grove

Violent crime in Buffalo Grove is close to the national average. The rate of 406.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2231.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,585 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Buffalo Grove Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault256
095% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery102
01.6x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary380
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,585
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft519
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Buffalo Grove Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Buffalo Grove
406.9
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Buffalo Grove
2231.0
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalo Grove Safety

Is Buffalo Grove safe?
Not especially. Buffalo Grove earns a D with a crime rate of 263.8 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Buffalo Grove?
263.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 406.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2231.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Buffalo Grove safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Buffalo Grove's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,585 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Buffalo Grove?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Buffalo Grove generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Buffalo Grove police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Buffalo Grove?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Buffalo Grove's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Buffalo Grove compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Buffalo Grove ranks behind about 82% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Buffalo Grove to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Buffalo Grove?
Bad. A D grade and 263.8 per-thousand rate put Buffalo Grove below 82% of US cities. Violent crime at 407 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Buffalo Grove?
406.9 per 100,000, which is 12% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (256), robbery (102), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

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View all Illinois city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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