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C

Is River Forest, Illinois Safe?

Population 11,393 · Safer than 36% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 11,393, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. River Forest earns a C with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,324 per 100K.

River Forest Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricRiver ForestIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate406.6323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1714.22036.01,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate309.0--268.2
Theft Rate1324.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate306.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

212.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

407/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1714/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for River Forest

Violent crime in River Forest is close to the national average. The rate of 406.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1714.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,324 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 309 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

River Forest Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault309
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery81
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary253
094% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,324
094% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft306
096% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How River Forest Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

River Forest
406.6
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

River Forest
1714.2
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About River Forest Safety

Is River Forest safe?
Not especially. River Forest earns a C with a crime rate of 212.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in River Forest?
212.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 406.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1714.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is River Forest safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. River Forest 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 River Forest?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in River Forest generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the River Forest police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in River Forest?
Yes, there's been an uptick. River Forest's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does River Forest compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. River Forest ranks behind about 66% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 0.9x the national rate.
How safe is River Forest to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in River Forest?
Mixed. Violent crime is close to 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 36th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in River Forest?
406.6 per 100,000, which is 12% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (309), robbery (81), and murder (4.0) 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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