CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C-

Is Westchester, Illinois Safe?

Population 16,300 · Safer than 27% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Westchester is a smaller community of 16,300 people with a C- safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 235.5 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,588 per 100K.

Westchester Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWestchesterIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate407.9323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1946.72036.01,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate301.0--268.2
Theft Rate1588.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate449.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

235.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

408/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1947/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Westchester

Violent crime in Westchester is close to the national average. The rate of 407.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1946.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,588 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 301 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Westchester Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault301
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery78
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary309
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,588
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft449
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Westchester Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Westchester
407.9
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Westchester
1946.7
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Westchester Safety

Is Westchester safe?
Not especially. Westchester earns a C- with a crime rate of 235.5 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 Westchester?
235.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 407.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1946.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Westchester safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Westchester's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,588 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Westchester?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Westchester generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Westchester police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Westchester?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Westchester's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Westchester compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Westchester ranks behind about 78% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Westchester 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 Westchester?
Bad. A C- grade and 235.5 per-thousand rate put Westchester below 73% of US cities. Violent crime at 408 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Westchester?
407.9 per 100,000, which is 12% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (301), robbery (78), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Illinois

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

C+
See crime rates in Country Club Hills16,215 pop · Grade C+
C-
See crime rates in Fairview Heights16,175 pop · Grade C-
C-
See crime rates in Bridgeview16,521 pop · Grade C-
C
See crime rates in La Grange15,935 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in Mattoon16,667 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in Washington15,902 pop · Grade C
View all Illinois city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Westchester

Get weekly safety updates for Westchester

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