Chicago Heights, IL Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Chicago Heights, IL

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Chicago Heights crime rate is higher than the national average by 96.6%. Specifically, there were 502 violent crimes in Chicago Heights, equivalent to 1902 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 414.3%. Furthermore, Chicago Heights recorded 704 property crimes, amounting to 2667 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 36.5%.

In Chicago Heights, the crime rate stands at 4569 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 96.6%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Chicago Heights that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.

With a violent crime rate of 1902 crimes per 100,000 residents, Chicago Heights is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Chicago Heights ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 53 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.

Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Chicago Heights has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 5 murders in Chicago Heights, which is 19 murders per 100,000 people.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Chicago Heights ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 125 vehicle thefts, amounting to 474 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Chicago Heights within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 212.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Chicago Heights?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Chicago Heights residents. Out of the respondents (17 in total), 24% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Chicago Heights were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 76% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Chicago Heights a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Chicago Heights a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Chicago Heights crime rate is 97% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 3.3 crimes per day - 1.38 violent crimes and 1.93 property crimes.

Has Crime in Chicago Heights Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Chicago Heights has increased by 50% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Chicago Heights is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 120.2%, while property crime has increased by 22.2%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Chicago Heights.

Potential Causes for Crime in Chicago Heights

The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Chicago Heights crime rate. The poverty level in Chicago Heights is 24.3%, while the national average is 15.1%.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Chicago Heights has a median home price of $107,700, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

In Chicago Heights, the average rental rates are $918 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

Chicago Heights crime map