CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C-

Is Carbondale, Illinois Safe?

Population 21,811 · Safer than 26% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Carbondale is a smaller community of 21,811 people with a C- safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 238.6 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,402 per 100K.

Carbondale Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricCarbondaleIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate230.5323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2155.92036.01,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate166.0--268.2
Theft Rate1402.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate488.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

238.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

231/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2156/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Carbondale

Violent crime in Carbondale is below the national average. The rate of 230.5 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2155.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,402 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Carbondale Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault166
062% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery38
060% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary403
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,402
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft488
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Carbondale Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Carbondale
230.5
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Carbondale
2155.9
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Carbondale Safety

Is Carbondale safe?
Not especially. Carbondale earns a C- with a crime rate of 238.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Carbondale?
238.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 230.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2155.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Carbondale safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Carbondale's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,402 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Carbondale?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Carbondale generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Carbondale police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Carbondale?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Carbondale's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Carbondale compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Carbondale ranks behind about 65% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Carbondale to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Carbondale?
Bad. A C- grade and 238.6 per-thousand rate put Carbondale below 74% of US cities. Violent crime at 231 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Carbondale?
230.5 per 100,000, which is 37% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (166), robbery (38), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Illinois

Similar-sized communities in Illinois. Compare crime rates across the state.

C-
See crime rates in Blue Island21,805 pop · Grade C-
C-
See crime rates in Villa Park21,888 pop · Grade C-
C
See crime rates in Montgomery21,978 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Darien22,032 pop · Grade D
C+
See crime rates in East Peoria22,088 pop · Grade C+
C
See crime rates in Frankfort21,365 pop · Grade C
View all Illinois city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Carbondale

Get weekly safety updates for Carbondale

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities