CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C+

Is Winnetka, Illinois Safe?

Population 12,518 · Safer than 40% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 12,518, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Winnetka earns a C+ with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,579 per 100K.

Winnetka Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWinnetkaIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate256.4323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1770.82036.01,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate202.0--268.2
Theft Rate1579.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate196.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

202.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

256/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1771/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Winnetka

Violent crime in Winnetka is below the national average. The rate of 256.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1770.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,579 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Winnetka Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault202
075% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery46
073% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary338
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,579
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft196
062% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Winnetka Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Winnetka
256.4
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Winnetka
1770.8
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Winnetka Safety

Is Winnetka safe?
It depends on where in Winnetka you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Winnetka?
202.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 256.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1770.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Winnetka safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Winnetka 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 Winnetka?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Winnetka generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Winnetka police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Winnetka?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Winnetka's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Winnetka compare to other cities in Illinois?
Below average for the state. Winnetka ranks behind about 64% of Illinois cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Winnetka to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Winnetka?
Mixed. Violent crime is below 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 40th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Winnetka?
256.4 per 100,000, which is 30% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (202), robbery (46), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Illinois

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

D
See crime rates in Pingree Grove12,545 pop · Grade D
D
See crime rates in Richton Park12,483 pop · Grade D
D+
See crime rates in Northlake12,462 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in Effingham12,406 pop · Grade C
C
See crime rates in Plano12,677 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in Justice12,285 pop · Grade D+
View all Illinois city safety grades

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

Get weekly safety updates for Winnetka

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