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D+

Is Lake Forest, Illinois Safe?

Population 19,731 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 19,731, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Lake Forest earns a D+ with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,454 per 100K.

Lake Forest Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLake ForestIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate284.5323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2221.32036.01,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate216.0--268.2
Theft Rate1454.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate545.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

250.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

285/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2221/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lake Forest

Violent crime in Lake Forest is below the national average. The rate of 284.5 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2221.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,454 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lake Forest Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault216
081% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery60
095% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary356
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,454
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft545
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Lake Forest Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lake Forest
284.5
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lake Forest
2221.3
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Forest Safety

Is Lake Forest safe?
Not especially. Lake Forest earns a D+ with a crime rate of 250.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Lake Forest?
250.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 284.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2221.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lake Forest safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Lake Forest's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,454 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lake Forest?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lake Forest generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lake Forest police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lake Forest?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Lake Forest's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Lake Forest compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Lake Forest?
Bad. A D+ grade and 250.6 per-thousand rate put Lake Forest below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 285 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Lake Forest?
284.5 per 100,000, which is 22% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (216), robbery (60), and murder (4.0) 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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