Safest cities in Illinois

Known as the 'Prairie State,' Illinois is a blend of bustling urban centers and scenic rural landscapes. Located in the Midwestern United States, Illinois boasts a diverse geography that includes fertile plains, rolling hills, and the shores of Lake Michigan. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as finance, manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. Chicago, the state’s largest city, is a major cultural and economic hub, known for its impressive skyline, world-class museums, and vibrant arts scene. Illinois is also rich in history, with landmarks such as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield celebrating its heritage. The state offers a variety of recreational activities, from boating on Lake Michigan to hiking in the Shawnee National Forest.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Illinois particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Illinois's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Illinois's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

Campton Hills Population: 10,962 9 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 9 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Campton Hills proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Illinois. With only 9 crimes per 100,000 people, Campton Hills has a crime rate that is 89% lower than the Illinois average. This equates to an average of 0.00 crimes per day and a 1 in 10,802 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Sandwich Population: 7,351 84 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 14 Property Crime / 100k: 70 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Sandwich comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Illinois with a crime rate of 84 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 28 counts of burglary, 42 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 14 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Sandwich, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Harrisburg Population: 8,578 200 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 75 Property Crime / 100k: 125 chance of being a victim: 1 in 501

With a population of 8,578 and a total crime rate of 200 per 100,000 residents, Harrisburg is the 3rd safest city in Illinois. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 92% lower than the Illinois average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Pingree Grove Population: 8,768 217 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 45 Property Crime / 100k: 172 chance of being a victim: 1 in 462

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Pingree Grove is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 217, 89% lower than the Illinois average. This amounts to 0.07 crimes per day and a 1 in 462 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Pingree Grove a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

LaSalle Population: 9,086 222 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 63 Property Crime / 100k: 159 chance of being a victim: 1 in 450

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, LaSalle consistently ranks high in safety. In LaSalle, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 222, which is 91% lower than the state average.

Libertyville Population: 20,300 230 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 29 Property Crime / 100k: 201 chance of being a victim: 1 in 435

Libertyville has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Illinois. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 230 crimes per 100,000 people, 80% lower than the Illinois average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 39 reports of burglary, 127 reports of theft, 34 reports of vehicle theft, 20 reports of assault, 5 reports of robbery, 5 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Wauconda Population: 13,629 237 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 29 Property Crime / 100k: 208 chance of being a victim: 1 in 423

Wauconda ranks as the seventh safest city in Illinois and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 423 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.09 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Wauconda’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Illinois.

Inverness Population: 7,959 287 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 27 Property Crime / 100k: 260 chance of being a victim: 1 in 348

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Inverness is the 8th safest city in Illinois. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 93% lower than the Illinois average, reporting a total of 287 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Winfield Population: 9,683 315 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 57 Property Crime / 100k: 258 chance of being a victim: 1 in 317

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Winfield is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Illinois, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 315 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 90% lower than the state average.

Hampshire Population: 5,909 330 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 51 Property Crime / 100k: 279 chance of being a victim: 1 in 303

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Illinois, is Hampshire. With a low rate of crime that included 25 burglaries, 216 thefts, 38 vehicle thefts, 38 assaults, 0 robberies, 13 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 92% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Illinois

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Campton Hills	10,962	0	9	9
2	Sandwich	7,351	14	70	84
3	Harrisburg	8,578	75	125	200
4	Pingree Grove	8,768	45	172	217
5	LaSalle	9,086	63	159	222
6	Libertyville	20,300	29	201	230
7	Wauconda	13,629	29	208	237
8	Inverness	7,959	27	260	287
9	Winfield	9,683	57	258	315
10	Hampshire	5,909	51	279	330
11	Gilberts	7,941	12	324	336
12	Lake in the Hills	28,617	55	290	345
13	Manhattan	8,218	47	312	360
14	Western Springs	13,247	0	372	372
15	Lindenhurst	14,317	77	309	386
16	Elburn	5,559	47	361	408
17	Homer Glen	24,521	45	375	420
18	Willow Springs	5,610	0	426	426
19	Mascoutah	8,454	70	394	464
20	Palos Hills	17,172	67	461	528
21	Lemont	17,131	52	477	529
22	Yorkville	19,386	93	444	537
23	Maryville	7,962	134	452	586
24	Barrington	10,442	85	509	594
25	Roscoe	10,632	55	546	601
26	Bethalto	9,258	172	430	601
27	Troy	10,278	107	497	604
28	Oswego	35,470	89	518	607
29	South Elgin	23,648	100	508	608
30	Channahon	13,281	114	521	635
31	Buffalo Grove	40,804	38	612	650
32	Lockport	25,499	54	598	652
33	Mount Carmel	6,922	312	356	668
34	Huntley	27,413	60	620	680
35	Lake Forest	19,497	16	672	687
36	Dixon	15,544	117	585	701
37	Shorewood	17,303	65	644	709
38	Geneva	21,843	90	629	719
39	Mahomet	8,888	175	546	721
40	Plano	11,058	120	609	730
41	Frankfort	19,166	44	702	745
42	Lincoln	13,742	107	648	755
43	Plainfield	44,857	80	676	756
44	Woodstock	25,391	58	698	756
45	Lincolnshire	7,694	38	719	757
46	Braidwood	6,338	130	631	761
47	Round Lake Beach	27,313	108	676	784
48	Chatham	13,231	49	735	784
49	Streator	12,337	106	683	788
50	La Grange	15,555	32	758	790

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Illinois is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Illinois cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.