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C+

Is Lincoln, Illinois Safe?

Population 12,981 · Safer than 40% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Lincoln is a smaller community of 12,981 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 202.3 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,494 per 100K.

Lincoln Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLincolnIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate289.5323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1733.92036.01,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate222.0--268.2
Theft Rate1494.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate369.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

202.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

290/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1734/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lincoln

Violent crime in Lincoln is below the national average. The rate of 289.5 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1733.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,494 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lincoln Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault222
083% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery62
098% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary268
099% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,494
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft369
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Lincoln Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lincoln
289.5
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lincoln
1733.9
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Lincoln Safety

Is Lincoln safe?
It depends on where in Lincoln you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Lincoln?
202.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 289.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1733.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lincoln safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Lincoln has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lincoln?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lincoln generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lincoln police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lincoln?
Crime rates have held steady in Lincoln, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C+ grade.
How does Lincoln compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Lincoln ranks behind about 61% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 0.9x the national rate.
How safe is Lincoln to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Lincoln?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 40th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Lincoln?
289.5 per 100,000, which is 20% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (222), robbery (62), and murder (3.0) 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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