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C-

Is Chatham, Illinois Safe?

Population 14,579 · Safer than 28% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Chatham is a smaller community of 14,579 people with a C- safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 233.3 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,373 per 100K.

Chatham Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricChathamIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate394.7323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1938.32036.01,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate311.0--268.2
Theft Rate1373.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate395.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

233.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

395/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1938/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Chatham

Violent crime in Chatham is close to the national average. The rate of 394.7 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1938.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,373 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 311 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Chatham Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault311
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery77
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary294
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,373
098% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft395
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Chatham Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chatham
394.7
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chatham
1938.3
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Chatham Safety

Is Chatham safe?
Not especially. Chatham earns a C- with a crime rate of 233.3 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 Chatham?
233.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 394.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1938.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Chatham safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Chatham's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,373 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Chatham?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Chatham generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Chatham police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Chatham?
Crime rates have held steady in Chatham, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Chatham compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Chatham ranks behind about 68% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Chatham to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Chatham?
Bad. A C- grade and 233.3 per-thousand rate put Chatham below 72% of US cities. Violent crime at 395 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Chatham?
394.7 per 100,000, which is 8% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (311), robbery (77), and murder (8.0) 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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