| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Athens/100k people | Illinois/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 13 | n/a (estimate) | 689 | 2,004 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 5.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 2 | n/a | 106.0 | 46.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 90.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 5 | n/a | 265.1 | 146.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 7 | n/a (estimate) | 371 | 289 | 359 |
| Burglary | 2 | n/a | 106.0 | 290.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 4 | n/a | 212.1 | 1,134.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 290.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 6 | n/a (estimate) | 318 | 1,715 | 1,760 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Athens is 67.5% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 7 violent crimes reported in Athens, equivalent to 371 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 3.4%. Additionally, Athens recorded 6 property crimes, amounting to 318 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 81.9%.
With a crime rate of 689, significantly below the national average of 2119, Athens stands out as one of the safest places to reside in the United States. This distinction is primarily attributed to the calculation of total crimes, which encompasses both violent and property crimes per 100,000 residents.
The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Athens is very close to the national average of all cities that reported crime. Athens reported 371 violent crimes, while the average of all cities was 359.
Athens showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.
The property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have shown a steady decrease of more than 50% since 1990, with a slight uptick in recent years. The most recent crime data reveals that Athens records a property crime rate of 318 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly lower than the national average of 1760. This underscores Athens as an exceptionally secure and attractive residential destination, highlighting its unwavering dedication to fostering safety and community well-being.
The United States contends with some of the world's highest vehicle theft rates, with approximately 300 vehicle thefts per 100,000 individuals. Remarkably, only a modest fraction, approximately 10%, of cities have been fortunate enough to have zero reported instances of stolen vehicles. Athens stands out as one of these cities, as it reported no vehicle thefts in the most recent crime report, underscoring its commitment to a secure environment.
Is Athens 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, Athens has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 67%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.04 daily incidents, encompassing 0.02 violent crimes and 0.02 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Athens as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Athens. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Athens has increased by 18.2%. Violent crimes have increased by 250%, while property crimes have increased by 33.3%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
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 Athens crime rates. In Athens, the poverty rate stands at 8.7%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Athens, 86.9% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
In Athens, the average rental rates are $886 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Athens | Illinois | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 3 | 30,690 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.5 | 2.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Illinois /100K | National /100K |
| Illinois | 32,213 | 263 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Sherman, IL | 4,619 | 0 | 197 | 197 |
| Pleasant Plains, IL | 732 | 0 | 249 | 249 |
| Leland Grove, IL | 1,274 | 41 | 241 | 281 |
| Rochester, IL | 3,914 | 77 | 537 | 613 |
| Williamsville, IL | 1,518 | 89 | 525 | 614 |
| Petersburg, IL | 2,626 | 109 | 645 | 754 |
| Lake Petersburg, IL | 561 | 119 | 706 | 826 |
| Athens, IL | 2,433 | 371 | 318 | 689 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Drew, MS | 2,433 | 118 | 764 | 881 |
| Commerce, OK | 2,435 | 239 | 1,116 | 1,355 |
| Konterra, MD | 2,435 | 100 | 490 | 591 |
| Enfield, NC | 2,431 | 229 | 1,198 | 1,427 |
| Gumlog, GA | 2,430 | 84 | 429 | 513 |
| Athens, IL | 2,433 | 371 | 318 | 689 |
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