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D

Is Elkhart, Indiana Safe?

Population 54,092 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Elkhart has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate below the national average and an overall rate of 272.2 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 2,028 per 100K.

Elkhart Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricElkhartIndiana AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate288.4309.2363.8
Property Crime Rate2433.22091.51,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate188.0--268.2
Theft Rate2028.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate233.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

272.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

288/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2433/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Elkhart

Violent crime in Elkhart is below the national average. The rate of 288.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2433.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 2,028 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Elkhart Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault188
070% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery53
084% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary328
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft2,028
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft233
073% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Elkhart Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Elkhart
288.4
State
309.2
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Elkhart
2433.2
State
2091.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Elkhart Safety

Is Elkhart safe?
Not especially. Elkhart earns a D with a crime rate of 272.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Elkhart?
272.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 288.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2433.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Elkhart safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Elkhart's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (2,028 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Elkhart?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Elkhart generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Elkhart police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Elkhart?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Elkhart's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Elkhart compare to other cities in Indiana?
Below average for the state. Elkhart ranks behind about 93% of Indiana cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Elkhart 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 Elkhart?
Bad. A D grade and 272.2 per-thousand rate put Elkhart below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 288 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Elkhart?
288.4 per 100,000, which is 21% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (188), robbery (53), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Indiana

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View all Indiana 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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