CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C-

Is Prospect Heights, Illinois Safe?

Population 15,552 · Safer than 30% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 15,552, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Prospect Heights earns a C- with violent crime well below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,388 per 100K.

Prospect Heights Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricProspect HeightsIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate203.7323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2069.82036.01,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate162.0--268.2
Theft Rate1388.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate524.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

227.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

204/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2070/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Prospect Heights

Violent crime in Prospect Heights is well below the national average. The rate of 203.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2069.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,388 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Prospect Heights Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault162
060% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery36
057% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary399
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,388
099% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft524
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Prospect Heights Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Prospect Heights
203.7
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Prospect Heights
2069.8
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Prospect Heights Safety

Is Prospect Heights safe?
Not especially. Prospect Heights earns a C- with a crime rate of 227.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs well below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Prospect Heights?
227.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 203.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2069.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Prospect Heights safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Prospect Heights's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,388 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Prospect Heights?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Prospect Heights generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Prospect Heights police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Prospect Heights?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Prospect Heights's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Prospect Heights compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Prospect Heights ranks behind about 72% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Prospect 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 Prospect Heights?
Bad. A C- grade and 227.3 per-thousand rate put Prospect Heights below 70% of US cities. Violent crime at 204 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Prospect Heights?
203.7 per 100,000, which is 44% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (162), robbery (36), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Illinois

Similar-sized communities in Illinois. Compare crime rates across the state.

Get weekly safety updates for Prospect Heights

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities