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D-

Is Galesburg, Illinois Safe?

Population 28,581 · Safer than 13% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Galesburg faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 87% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,686 per 100K.

Galesburg Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricGalesburgIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate407.2323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2406.42036.01,832.3
Murder Rate9.0--5.7
Assault Rate322.0--268.2
Theft Rate1686.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate460.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

281.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

407/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2406/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Galesburg

Violent crime in Galesburg is close to the national average. The rate of 407.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2406.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,686 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 322 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Galesburg Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder9
01.6x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault322
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery64
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary428
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,686
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft460
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Galesburg Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Galesburg
407.2
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Galesburg
2406.4
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Galesburg Safety

Is Galesburg safe?
Not especially. Galesburg earns a D- with a crime rate of 281.4 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 Galesburg?
281.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 407.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2406.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Galesburg safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Galesburg's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,686 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Galesburg?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Galesburg generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Galesburg police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Galesburg?
No. Crime in Galesburg has been trending down, which is good news for the D--rated city.
How does Galesburg compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Galesburg ranks behind about 91% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Galesburg 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 Galesburg?
Bad. A D- grade and 281.4 per-thousand rate put Galesburg below 87% of US cities. Violent crime at 407 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Galesburg?
407.2 per 100,000, which is 12% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (322), robbery (64), and murder (9.0) 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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