CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D

Is Des Plaines, Illinois Safe?

Population 58,772 · Safer than 19% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Des Plaines runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 81% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,728 per 100K.

Des Plaines Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDes PlainesIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate359.8323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2224.62036.01,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate286.0--268.2
Theft Rate1728.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate232.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

258.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

360/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2225/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Des Plaines

Violent crime in Des Plaines is close to the national average. The rate of 359.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2224.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,728 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Des Plaines Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault286
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery77
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary391
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,728
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft232
073% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Des Plaines Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Des Plaines
359.8
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Des Plaines
2224.6
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Des Plaines Safety

Is Des Plaines safe?
Not especially. Des Plaines earns a D with a crime rate of 258.4 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 Des Plaines?
258.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 359.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2224.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Des Plaines safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Des Plaines's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,728 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Des Plaines?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Des Plaines generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Des Plaines police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Des Plaines?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Des Plaines's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Des Plaines compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Des Plaines ranks behind about 87% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Des Plaines to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Des Plaines?
Bad. A D grade and 258.4 per-thousand rate put Des Plaines below 81% of US cities. Violent crime at 360 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Des Plaines?
359.8 per 100,000, which is 1% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (286), robbery (77), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Illinois

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

D
See crime rates in Orland Park57,954 pop · Grade D
D
See crime rates in Oak Lawn56,450 pop · Grade D
D
See crime rates in Mount Prospect55,395 pop · Grade D
D+
See crime rates in Tinley Park55,140 pop · Grade D+
D
See crime rates in Berwyn55,001 pop · Grade D
C
See crime rates in Wheaton54,065 pop · Grade C
View all Illinois city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Des Plaines

Get weekly safety updates for Des Plaines

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities