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C

Is Washington, Illinois Safe?

Population 15,902 · Safer than 38% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Washington is a smaller community of 15,902 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 208.3 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,478 per 100K.

Washington Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWashingtonIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate401.6323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1681.02036.01,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate296.0--268.2
Theft Rate1478.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate225.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

208.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

402/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1681/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Washington

Violent crime in Washington is close to the national average. The rate of 401.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1681.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,478 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Washington Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault296
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery88
01.4x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary288
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,478
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft225
071% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Washington Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Washington
401.6
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Washington
1681.0
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington Safety

Is Washington safe?
Not especially. Washington earns a C with a crime rate of 208.3 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 Washington?
208.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 401.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1681.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Washington safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Washington 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 Washington?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Washington generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Washington police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Washington?
No. Crime in Washington has been trending down, which is good news for the C-rated city.
How does Washington compare to other cities in Illinois?
Middle of the pack for Illinois. Washington isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 42th percentile among Illinois cities.
How safe is Washington to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Washington?
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 38th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Washington?
401.6 per 100,000, which is 10% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (296), robbery (88), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Illinois

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

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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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