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C+

Is Palos Heights, Illinois Safe?

Population 12,084 · Safer than 45% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Palos Heights is a smaller community of 12,084 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs well below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 192.3 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,098 per 100K.

Palos Heights Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPalos HeightsIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate211.1323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1711.82036.01,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate144.0--268.2
Theft Rate1098.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate256.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

192.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

211/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1712/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Palos Heights

Violent crime in Palos Heights is well below the national average. The rate of 211.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1711.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,098 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Palos Heights Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault144
054% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery27
043% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary268
099% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,098
078% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft256
080% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Palos Heights Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Palos Heights
211.1
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Palos Heights
1711.8
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Palos Heights Safety

Is Palos Heights safe?
It depends on where in Palos Heights you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime well below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Palos Heights?
192.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 211.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1711.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Palos Heights safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Palos Heights 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 Palos Heights?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Palos Heights generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Palos Heights police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Palos Heights?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Palos Heights's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Palos Heights compare to other cities in Illinois?
Middle of the pack for Illinois. Palos Heights isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 49th percentile among Illinois cities.
How safe is Palos Heights to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is well below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Palos Heights?
Mixed. Violent crime is well 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 45th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Palos Heights?
211.1 per 100,000, which is 42% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (144), robbery (27), 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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