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C-

Is Oswego, Illinois Safe?

Population 39,948 · Safer than 26% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 39,948, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Oswego earns a C- with violent crime above the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,694 per 100K.

Oswego Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricOswegoIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate419.0323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1950.72036.01,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate236.0--268.2
Theft Rate1694.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate215.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

237 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

419/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1951/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Oswego

Violent crime in Oswego is above the national average. The rate of 419.0 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1950.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,694 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Oswego Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault236
088% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery74
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary263
097% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,694
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft215
068% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Oswego Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Oswego
419.0
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Oswego
1950.7
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Oswego Safety

Is Oswego safe?
Not especially. Oswego earns a C- with a crime rate of 237 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Oswego?
237 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 419.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1950.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Oswego safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Oswego's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,694 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Oswego?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Oswego generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Oswego police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Oswego?
Crime rates have held steady in Oswego, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Oswego compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Oswego ranks behind about 83% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Oswego to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Oswego?
Bad. A C- grade and 237 per-thousand rate put Oswego below 74% of US cities. Violent crime at 419 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Oswego?
419.0 per 100,000, which is 15% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (236), robbery (74), and murder (6.0) 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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