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D+

Is Pontiac, Illinois Safe?

Population 10,806 · Safer than 24% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Pontiac is a smaller community of 10,806 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 243.7 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,817 per 100K.

Pontiac Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPontiacIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate222.2323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2214.52036.01,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate158.0--268.2
Theft Rate1817.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate499.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

243.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

222/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2215/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Pontiac

Violent crime in Pontiac is below the national average. The rate of 222.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2214.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,817 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Pontiac Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault158
059% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery32
051% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary278
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,817
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft499
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Pontiac Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Pontiac
222.2
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Pontiac
2214.5
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Pontiac Safety

Is Pontiac safe?
Not especially. Pontiac earns a D+ with a crime rate of 243.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Pontiac?
243.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 222.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2214.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Pontiac safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Pontiac's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,817 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Pontiac?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Pontiac generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Pontiac police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Pontiac?
Crime rates have held steady in Pontiac, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Pontiac compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Pontiac ranks behind about 81% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Pontiac 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 Pontiac?
Bad. A D+ grade and 243.7 per-thousand rate put Pontiac below 76% of US cities. Violent crime at 222 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Pontiac?
222.2 per 100,000, which is 39% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (158), robbery (32), 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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