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C

Is DeKalb, Illinois Safe?

Population 40,467 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

DeKalb is a smaller community of 40,467 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 222.3 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,166 per 100K.

DeKalb Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDeKalbIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate337.1323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1885.92036.01,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate258.0--268.2
Theft Rate1166.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate423.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

222.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

337/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1886/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for DeKalb

Violent crime in DeKalb is close to the national average. The rate of 337.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1885.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,166 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

DeKalb Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault258
096% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery82
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary351
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,166
083% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft423
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How DeKalb Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

DeKalb
337.1
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

DeKalb
1885.9
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About DeKalb Safety

Is DeKalb safe?
Not especially. DeKalb earns a C with a crime rate of 222.3 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 DeKalb?
222.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 337.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1885.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is DeKalb safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. DeKalb's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,166 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in DeKalb?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in DeKalb generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the DeKalb police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in DeKalb?
No. Crime in DeKalb has been trending down, which is good news for the C-rated city.
How does DeKalb compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. DeKalb ranks behind about 72% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is DeKalb to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in DeKalb?
Bad. A C grade and 222.3 per-thousand rate put DeKalb below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 337 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in DeKalb?
337.1 per 100,000, which is 7% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (258), robbery (82), and murder (4.0) 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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