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D

Is Crystal Lake, Illinois Safe?

Population 42,288 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Crystal Lake runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 85% of US cities, with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,511 per 100K.

Crystal Lake Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricCrystal LakeIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate287.8323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2434.62036.01,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate235.0--268.2
Theft Rate1511.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate457.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

272.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

288/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2435/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Crystal Lake

Violent crime in Crystal Lake is below the national average. The rate of 287.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2434.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,511 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Crystal Lake Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault235
088% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery40
063% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary379
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,511
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft457
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Crystal Lake Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Crystal Lake
287.8
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Crystal Lake
2434.6
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Crystal Lake Safety

Is Crystal Lake safe?
Not especially. Crystal Lake earns a D with a crime rate of 272.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Crystal Lake?
272.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 287.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2434.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Crystal Lake safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Crystal Lake's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,511 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Crystal Lake?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Crystal Lake generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Crystal Lake police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Crystal Lake?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Crystal Lake's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Crystal Lake compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Crystal Lake ranks behind about 83% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake?
Bad. A D grade and 272.2 per-thousand rate put Crystal Lake below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 288 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Crystal Lake?
287.8 per 100,000, which is 21% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (235), robbery (40), and murder (3.0) 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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