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C-

Is Evanston, Illinois Safe?

Population 76,380 · Safer than 27% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Evanston means there's room for concern. The 235.1 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime above the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,584 per 100K.

Evanston Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricEvanstonIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate425.8323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1925.12036.01,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate344.0--268.2
Theft Rate1584.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate446.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

235.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

426/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1925/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Evanston

Violent crime in Evanston is above the national average. The rate of 425.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1925.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,584 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 344 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Evanston Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault344
01.3x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery93
01.5x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary263
097% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,584
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft446
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Evanston Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Evanston
425.8
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Evanston
1925.1
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Evanston Safety

Is Evanston safe?
Not especially. Evanston earns a C- with a crime rate of 235.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Evanston?
235.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 425.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1925.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Evanston safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Evanston's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,584 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Evanston?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Evanston generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Evanston police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Evanston?
No. Crime in Evanston has been trending down, which is good news for the C--rated city.
How does Evanston compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Evanston ranks behind about 71% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Evanston to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Evanston?
Bad. A C- grade and 235.1 per-thousand rate put Evanston below 73% of US cities. Violent crime at 426 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Evanston?
425.8 per 100,000, which is 17% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (344), robbery (93), and murder (7.0) 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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