A+
74%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
76%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
74%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleOswego/100k peopleIllinois/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime218n/a (estimate)6071,9702,324
Murder0n/a0.07.86.3
Rape15n/a41.748.140.0
Robbery2n/a5.684.766.1
Assault15n/a41.7146.7268.2
Violent crime32n/a (estimate)89287370
Burglary11n/a30.6208.5269.8
Theft161n/a448.11,192.71,401.9
Vehicle theft14n/a39.0281.6282.7
Property crime186n/a (estimate)5181,6831,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Oswego, 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 Oswego crime rate is lower than the national average by 73.9%. Specifically, there were 32 violent crimes in Oswego, equivalent to 89 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 75.9%. Furthermore, Oswego recorded 186 property crimes, amounting to 518 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 73.5%.

Oswego enjoys a remarkably low crime rate, standing at just 607, a significant contrast to the national average of 2324. This distinction firmly establishes Oswego as one of the safest places to reside in the entire United States. This crime rate is meticulously calculated, taking into account the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 individuals, providing a comprehensive perspective on the area's safety and livability.

Oswego shines as one of the safest cities in the United States, thanks to its remarkably low rate of only 89 violent incidents per 100,000 residents. This impressive safety record has made Oswego an attractive choice for individuals seeking a secure and hospitable community to call home.

In the most recently reported crime year, Oswego registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

In 1991, property crime rates in the United States soared to over 5,140 crimes per 100,000 people. In the years since, the U.S. property crime rate has continued to decline with the most recent year reporting only 1954 property crimes. In Oswego, the property crime rate was even less than the national average with a rate of 518, cementing it as one of the safest places to live with regards to property crime.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Oswego?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Oswego residents. Out of the respondents (13 in total), 54% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Oswego were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 46% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Oswego a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Oswego, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Oswego presents a total crime rate that is 74% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Oswego experiences an average of 0.6 daily crimes, comprising 0.09 violent incidents and 0.51 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Oswego Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Oswego. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Oswego has increased by 47.3%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 33.3%, while property crime has increased by 50%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Oswego.

Potential Causes for Crime in Oswego

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Oswego crime rates. In Oswego, the poverty rate stands at 1.7%, diverging from the national average of 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. Oswego has a median home price of $254,200, 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.

High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Oswego, the average rental rates are $1,513 per month, compared to the national average of $949.

Oswego crime map



The Oswego crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Oswego 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 Oswego crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Oswego 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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Compare Oswego, IL Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Oswego crime rates are 74% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Oswego are 76% lower than the national average
      • In Oswego you have a 1 in 165 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Oswego is safer than 81% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Oswego has increased by 53%

      Oswego, IL Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Oswego (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Oswego, IL per 100,000 people. In Oswego, the total number of daily crimes is 3.25 times less than the Illinois average and 3.83 times less than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Oswego is 3.23 times less than the Illinois average and 4.15 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Oswego has a daily crime rate that is 3.25 times less than the Illinois average and 3.78 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Oswego (higher is better)

        Is Oswego safe in comparison to other cities in the state of Illinois as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Oswego to other cities in the state and across the country, Oswego is 65% safer than other cities of Illinois and 81% safer than other cities in the nation. Oswego has a ranks above average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Oswego

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Oswego is 1 in 1123
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Oswego is 1 in 194
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Oswego is 1 in 165
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Oswego? If you reside in Oswego, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 1123. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 194 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 Oswego, is 1 in 165.

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

        Determining whether Oswego is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Oswego violent crime rates have increased by 39%. At the same time, property crime has increased by 56% year over year. Total crimes for Oswego has increased by 53% in the same time frame.

        Oswego police department

        Item Oswego Illinois National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)5830,690558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.92.63.3
        There are a total of 58 Oswego police officers. This results in 1.9 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 29% less than the Illinois average and 42.2% 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
        Sandwich, IL7,351147084
        Prestbury, IL1,97840236276
        Winfield, IL9,68357258315
        Elburn, IL5,55947361408
        Yorkville, IL19,38693444537
        Big Rock, IL1,27188516604
        Newark, IL1,32599581680
        Oswego, IL35,47089518607

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Richmond, IN35,4674302,1702,600
        Wildwood, MO35,4762111,0111,222
        Inver Grove Heights, MN35,4921962,1052,301
        Gahanna, OH35,4422392,3742,613
        Mount Vernon, WA35,5022702,9483,219
        Oswego, IL35,47089518607
        Source: The Oswego, IL crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. 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.