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D+

Is East St. Louis, Illinois Safe?

Population 17,682 · Safer than 24% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 17,682, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. East St. Louis earns a D+ with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,552 per 100K.

East St. Louis Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricEast St. LouisIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate384.1323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2062.62036.01,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate320.0--268.2
Theft Rate1552.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate412.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

244.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

384/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2063/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for East St. Louis

Violent crime in East St. Louis is close to the national average. The rate of 384.1 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2062.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,552 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 320 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

East St. Louis Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault320
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery81
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary222
082% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,552
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft412
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How East St. Louis Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

East St. Louis
384.1
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

East St. Louis
2062.6
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About East St. Louis Safety

Is East St. Louis safe?
Not especially. East St. Louis earns a D+ with a crime rate of 244.7 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 East St. Louis?
244.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 384.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2062.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is East St. Louis safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. East St. Louis's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,552 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in East St. Louis?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in East St. Louis generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the East St. Louis police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in East St. Louis?
Crime rates have held steady in East St. Louis, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does East St. Louis compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. East St. Louis ranks behind about 75% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is East St. Louis to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in East St. Louis?
Bad. A D+ grade and 244.7 per-thousand rate put East St. Louis below 76% of US cities. Violent crime at 384 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in East St. Louis?
384.1 per 100,000, which is 6% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (320), robbery (81), and murder (5.0) 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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