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D+

Is Decatur, Illinois Safe?

Population 67,884 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Decatur means there's room for concern. The 251.2 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime below the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,812 per 100K.

Decatur Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDecaturIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate264.4323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2247.52036.01,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate192.0--268.2
Theft Rate1812.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate217.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

251.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

264/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2248/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Decatur

Violent crime in Decatur is below the national average. The rate of 264.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2247.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,812 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Decatur Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault192
072% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery36
057% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary360
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,812
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft217
068% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Decatur Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Decatur
264.4
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Decatur
2247.5
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Decatur Safety

Is Decatur safe?
Not especially. Decatur earns a D+ with a crime rate of 251.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Decatur?
251.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 264.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2247.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Decatur safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Decatur's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,812 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Decatur?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Decatur generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Decatur police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Decatur?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Decatur's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Decatur compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Decatur 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 Decatur 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 Decatur?
Bad. A D+ grade and 251.2 per-thousand rate put Decatur below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 264 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Decatur?
264.4 per 100,000, which is 27% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (192), robbery (36), and murder (6.0) 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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