CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D

Is Elgin, Illinois Safe?

Population 115,476 · Safer than 16% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Elgin runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 84% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,767 per 100K.

Elgin Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricElginIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate389.3323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2291.02036.01,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate285.0--268.2
Theft Rate1767.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate285.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

268 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

389/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2291/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Elgin

Violent crime in Elgin is close to the national average. The rate of 389.3 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2291.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,767 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Elgin Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault285
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery59
093% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary383
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,767
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft285
090% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Elgin Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Elgin
389.3
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Elgin
2291.0
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Elgin Safety

Is Elgin safe?
Not especially. Elgin earns a D with a crime rate of 268 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 Elgin?
268 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 389.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2291.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Elgin safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Elgin's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,767 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Elgin?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Elgin generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Elgin police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Elgin?
No. Crime in Elgin has been trending down, which is good news for the D-rated city.
How does Elgin compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Elgin ranks behind about 89% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Elgin to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Elgin?
Bad. A D grade and 268 per-thousand rate put Elgin below 84% of US cities. Violent crime at 389 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Elgin?
389.3 per 100,000, which is 7% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (285), robbery (59), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Illinois

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

F
See crime rates in Springfield112,989 pop · Grade F
D+
See crime rates in Peoria110,920 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in Champaign91,195 pop · Grade D+
D-
See crime rates in Waukegan87,940 pop · Grade D-
C
See crime rates in Rockford147,384 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Cicero81,858 pop · Grade D
View all Illinois city safety grades

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

Get weekly safety updates for Elgin

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