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C+

Is Ottawa, Illinois Safe?

Population 18,684 · Safer than 44% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 18,684, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Ottawa earns a C+ with violent crime below the national average. The trend has been positive. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,153 per 100K.

Ottawa Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricOttawaIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate277.4323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1660.72036.01,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate190.0--268.2
Theft Rate1153.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate310.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

193.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

277/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1661/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Ottawa

Violent crime in Ottawa is below the national average. The rate of 277.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1660.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,153 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Ottawa Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault190
071% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery63
0100% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary200
074% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,153
082% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft310
097% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Ottawa Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ottawa
277.4
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ottawa
1660.7
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Ottawa Safety

Is Ottawa safe?
It depends on where in Ottawa 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 Ottawa?
193.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 277.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1660.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Ottawa safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Ottawa 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 Ottawa?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Ottawa generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Ottawa police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Ottawa?
No. Crime in Ottawa has been trending down, which is good news for the C+-rated city.
How does Ottawa compare to other cities in Illinois?
Middle of the pack for Illinois. Ottawa isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 44th percentile among Illinois cities.
How safe is Ottawa to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Ottawa?
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 44th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Ottawa?
277.4 per 100,000, which is 24% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (190), robbery (63), 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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