A+
70%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
96%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
66%
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 peopleLake Forest/100k peopleIllinois/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime132n/a (estimate)6871,9702,324
Murder0n/a0.07.86.3
Rape1n/a5.248.140.0
Robbery0n/a0.084.766.1
Assault2n/a10.4146.7268.2
Violent crime3n/a (estimate)16287370
Burglary36n/a187.5208.5269.8
Theft84n/a437.51,192.71,401.9
Vehicle theft9n/a46.9281.6282.7
Property crime129n/a (estimate)6721,6831,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Lake Forest, IL

The Lake Forest crime rates are 70.4% lower 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 3 violent crimes in Lake Forest (16 per 100,000 people), which is 95.8% lower than the national average and there were a total of 129 property crimes (672 per 100,000 residents) which is 65.6% lower than average.

Lake Forest has a crime rate of 687, which is considerably less than the national average of 2324. This results in Lake Forest being one of the safest places to live across the United States. The crime rate is based on the total number of violent and property crimes per 100,000 people.

Lake Forest distinguishes itself with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the U.S., reporting a mere 16 violent crimes per 100,000 people. This achievement firmly establishes Lake Forest among the safest cities in the nation, rendering it an alluring choice for those seeking a new place to call home.

In the latest reported crime year, Lake Forest recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

Property crime rates per 100,000 people have declined steadily since 1990, but did see a slight increase in recent years. Based on the most recent crime data, Lake Forest has a property crime rate of 672 crimes per 100,000 people, which is far below the national average of 1954. This is a good indicator that Lake Forest is a safe place to live.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lake Forest?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Lake Forest residents. Out of the respondents (13 in total), 85% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Lake Forest were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 15% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Lake Forest a Safe Place to Live?

Is Lake Forest 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, Lake Forest has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 70%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.36 daily incidents, encompassing 0.01 violent crimes and 0.35 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Lake Forest as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Lake Forest Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Lake Forest has increased by 0.8% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Lake Forest 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 decreased by 62.5%, while property crime has increased by 4.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Lake Forest.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lake Forest

In Lake Forest, the poverty rate currently stands at 2.9%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Lake Forest crime rates.

Lake Forest has a population density of 1133.5 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Lake Forest crime rates.

High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Lake Forest are $1,627, compared to a national average of $949 per month.

Lake Forest crime map



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

  • Lake Forest crime rates are 70% lower than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Lake Forest are 96% lower than the national average
  • In Lake Forest you have a 1 in 146 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Lake Forest is safer than 90% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Lake Forest has increased by 3%

Lake Forest, IL Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Lake Forest (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Lake Forest, Illinois is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Lake Forest are 2.87 times less than the Illinois average and 3.38 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Lake Forest are 18.39 times less than than Illinois and 23.67 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Lake Forest are 2.50 times less than than Illinois and 2.91 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Lake Forest (higher is better)

        Is Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest to other cities in the state and across the country, Lake Forest is 81% safer than other cities of Illinois and 90% safer than other cities in the nation. Lake Forest has a ranks above average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lake Forest

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lake Forest is 1 in 6401
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lake Forest is 1 in 149
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Lake Forest is 1 in 146
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Lake Forest, Illinois you have a 1 in 6401 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 149 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 146 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Lake Forest.

        Year Over Year Crime In Lake Forest (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest has decreased by 61%, the amount of property crime in Lake Forest has increased by 7%, and the total amount of crime in Lake Forest has increased by 3% year over year.

        Lake Forest police department

        Item Lake Forest Illinois National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)5430,690558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.82.63.3
        There are a total of 54 Lake Forest police officers. This results in 2.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 4.8% greater than the Illinois average and 14.6% 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
        Libertyville, IL20,30029201230
        Wauconda, IL13,62929208237
        Inverness, IL7,95927260287
        Third Lake, IL1,16044257300
        North Barrington, IL2,78945264309
        Kenilworth, IL2,3560333333
        Lake Forest, IL19,49716672687

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Cumberland, MD19,4956113,3954,006
        Salmon Creek, WA19,5063853,4373,822
        Montgomery, IL19,5151939841,177
        Franconia, VA19,4781228811,003
        Upper St. Clair, PA19,521114605719
        Lake Forest, IL19,49716672687
        Source: The Lake Forest, 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.