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D+

Is Chicago, Illinois Safe?

Population 2,731,585 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

As one of the larger cities in Illinois, Chicago carries crime rates that reflect its size. It earns a D+ with 254 crimes per 1,000 residents and violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,424 per 100K.

Chicago Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricChicagoIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate365.8323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2174.12036.01,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate290.0--268.2
Theft Rate1424.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate548.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

254 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

366/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2174/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Chicago

Violent crime in Chicago is close to the national average. The rate of 365.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2174.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,424 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Chicago Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault290
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery59
093% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary284
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,424
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft548
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Chicago Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chicago
365.8
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chicago
2174.1
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicago Safety

Is Chicago safe?
Not especially. Chicago earns a D+ with a crime rate of 254 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 Chicago?
254 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 365.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2174.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Chicago safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Chicago's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,424 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Chicago?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Chicago generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Chicago police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Chicago?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Chicago's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Chicago compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Chicago ranks behind about 84% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Chicago 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 Chicago?
Bad. A D+ grade and 254 per-thousand rate put Chicago below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 366 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Chicago?
365.8 per 100,000, which is 1% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (290), robbery (59), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Illinois

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

D-
See crime rates in Aurora181,505 pop · Grade D-
D+
See crime rates in Naperville153,114 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in Joliet152,241 pop · Grade C
C
See crime rates in Rockford147,384 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Elgin115,476 pop · Grade D
F
See crime rates in Springfield112,989 pop · Grade F
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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