B
35%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
26%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
37%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleElgin/100k peopleIllinois/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,545n/a (estimate)1,3692,0042,119
Murder5n/a4.45.85.0
Rape73n/a64.746.937.5
Robbery35n/a31.090.260.6
Assault188n/a166.6146.3256.1
Violent crime301n/a (estimate)267289359
Burglary239n/a211.7290.5229.2
Theft908n/a804.41,134.41,272.1
Vehicle theft97n/a85.9290.4258.8
Property crime1,244n/a (estimate)1,1021,7151,760

Elgin crime map

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The Elgin crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Elgin as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Elgin crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Elgin crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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An Overview of Crime Rates in Elgin, 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 Elgin crime rate is lower than the national average by 35.4%. Specifically, there were 301 violent crimes in Elgin, equivalent to 267 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 25.7%. Furthermore, Elgin recorded 1244 property crimes, amounting to 1102 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 37.4%.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Elgin?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Elgin. Based on the results of the surveys (46 responses), 39% of people felt that there was very little crime in Elgin and felt safe walking alone at night. While 61% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Elgin a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Elgin 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 Elgin crime rate is 35% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 4.23 crimes per day - 0.82 violent crimes and 3.41 property crimes.

Has Crime in Elgin Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Elgin crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Elgin has decreased by 6.5% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 35% and property crime has decreased by 13%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Elgin

High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Elgin crime rates. The population density in Elgin is 3070.3 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Elgin, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.97, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

In Elgin, the median home price stands at $362,159, diverging from the national average of $326,622. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

Compare Elgin, IL Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Elgin crime rates are 35% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Elgin are 26% lower than the national average
      • In Elgin you have a 1 in 74 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Elgin is safer than 40% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Elgin has increased by 24%

      Elgin, IL Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Elgin

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        Daily Crime In Elgin (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Elgin, Illinois is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Elgin are 1.46 times less than the Illinois average and 1.55 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Elgin are 1.08 times less than than Illinois and 1.35 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Elgin are 1.56 times less than than Illinois and 1.60 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Elgin (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Illinois and all other cities across the US, is Elgin safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Elgin is safer than 26% of other cities in the state of Illinois. In addition, Elgin is safer than 40% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Illinois and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Elgin. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Elgin is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Elgin

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Elgin is 1 in 376
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Elgin is 1 in 91
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Elgin is 1 in 74
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Elgin? If you reside in Elgin, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 376. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 91 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Elgin, is 1 in 74.

        Year Over Year Crime In Elgin (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Elgin, Illinois (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Elgin has increased by 19%, the amount of property crime in Elgin has increased by 25%, and the total amount of crime in Elgin has increased by 24% year over year.

        Elgin police department

        Item Elgin Illinois National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)21530,690558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.02.63.3
        There are a total of 215 Elgin police officers. This results in 2.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 25.6% less than the Illinois average and 39.4% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Illinois

        State Total offenders Illinois /100K National /100K
        Illinois32,213263266
        There are a total of 32,213 sex offenders in Illinois. This yields a total of 263 sex offenders in Illinois per 100,000 residents which is 1% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Tower Lakes, IL1,320000
        Campton Hills, IL11,24394656
        Wayne, IL2,55808989
        Hawthorn Woods, IL8,4950137137
        Pingree Grove, IL9,0769158167
        Gilberts, IL8,11634213247
        Lakewood, IL4,14647234281
        Elgin, IL115,3362671,1021,369

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Peoria, IL115,3011,3454,2845,629
        Antioch, CA115,1966073,1943,800
        Manchester, NH114,9183361,6481,984
        Miami Gardens, FL114,6724152,4302,844
        Everett, WA114,5032653,2193,484
        Elgin, IL115,3362671,1021,369
        Source: The Elgin, IL crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.