B-
13%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
52%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
25%
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 peopleEvanston/100k peopleIllinois/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime2,004n/a (estimate)2,6281,9702,324
Murder2n/a2.67.86.3
Rape29n/a38.048.140.0
Robbery78n/a102.384.766.1
Assault26n/a34.1146.7268.2
Violent crime135n/a (estimate)177287370
Burglary270n/a354.1208.5269.8
Theft1,452n/a1,904.01,192.71,401.9
Vehicle theft147n/a192.8281.6282.7
Property crime1,869n/a (estimate)2,4511,6831,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Evanston, IL

The Evanston crime rates are 13.1% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 135 violent crimes in Evanston (177 per 100,000 people), which is 52.1% lower than the national average and there were a total of 1869 property crimes (2451 per 100,000 residents) which is 25.4% higher than average.

When assessing the total crime rate in Evanston per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within Evanston, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Evanston?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Evanston residents. Out of the respondents (49 in total), 47% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Evanston were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 53% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Evanston a Safe Place to Live?

Is Evanston a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Evanston has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 13%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 5.49 daily incidents, encompassing 0.37 violent crimes and 5.12 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Evanston as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Evanston Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Evanston has increased by 12.3% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Evanston 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 3.9%, while property crime has increased by 13%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Evanston.

Potential Causes for Crime in Evanston

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Evanston currently has an unemployment rate of 3.1%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

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 Evanston, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 2.98, 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.

The quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in Evanston stands at $409,900, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.

Evanston crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Evanston crime rates are 13% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Evanston are 52% lower than the national average
      • In Evanston you have a 1 in 39 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Evanston is safer than 43% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Evanston has increased by 7%

      Evanston, IL Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Evanston (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Evanston for every 100,000 residents. The Evanston total amount of daily crime is 1.33 times more than the Illinois average and 1.13 times more than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Evanston, is 1.62 times less than the Illinois average, and it is 2.09 times less than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Evanston has a daily crime average that is 1.46 times more than the Illinois average and 1.25 times more than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Evanston (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Evanston in comparison to other Illinois communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Evanston safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Evanston being safer than 24% of cities in Illinois and 43% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Illinois cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Evanston. In conclusion, Evanston ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Evanston

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Evanston is 1 in 565
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Evanston is 1 in 41
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Evanston is 1 in 39
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Evanston? If you reside in Evanston, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 565. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 41 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 Evanston, is 1 in 39.

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

        A good indicator of whether Evanston is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Evanston has decreased by 1%, while the property crime rate in Evanston has increased by 7% year over year. The number of total crimes in Evanston has increased by 7% year over year.

        Evanston police department

        Item Evanston Illinois National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)22330,690558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.02.63.3
        There are a total of 223 Evanston police officers. This results in 3.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 12.6% greater than the Illinois average and 8.3% 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
        Golf, IL521000
        Stone Park, IL4,8429191182
        Kenilworth, IL2,3560333333
        Oakbrook Terrace, IL2,90962365427
        Riverwoods, IL3,53627454481
        Buffalo Grove, IL40,80438612650
        Lake Forest, IL19,49716672687
        Evanston, IL73,9791772,4512,628

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Appleton, WI73,8912691,4981,767
        Camden, NJ73,7421,5712,7514,322
        Centreville, VA74,2301531,1111,264
        South Jordan, UT73,695661,3581,424
        Pasco, WA74,2663182,8223,140
        Evanston, IL73,9791772,4512,628
        Source: The Evanston, 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.