| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Bellwood/100k people | Illinois/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 265 | n/a (estimate) | 1,504 | 2,004 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 11.3 | 5.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 4 | n/a | 22.7 | 46.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 18 | n/a | 102.1 | 90.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 30 | n/a | 170.2 | 146.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 54 | n/a (estimate) | 306 | 289 | 359 |
| Burglary | 50 | n/a | 283.7 | 290.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 112 | n/a | 635.5 | 1,134.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 49 | n/a | 278.0 | 290.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 211 | n/a (estimate) | 1,197 | 1,715 | 1,760 |
The Bellwood crime rates are 29% 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 54 violent crimes in Bellwood (306 per 100,000 people), which is 14.7% lower than the national average and there were a total of 211 property crimes (1197 per 100,000 residents) which is 32% lower than average.
While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Bellwood stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Bellwood, a total of 2 murders were reported, equating to 11 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
What do the local residents think about crime in Bellwood? Well, based on a recent survey of 7 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 29% of Bellwood residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 71% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Bellwood, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Bellwood presents a total crime rate that is 29% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Bellwood experiences an average of 0.73 daily crimes, comprising 0.15 violent incidents and 0.58 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Bellwood. 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 Bellwood has decreased by 52.7%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 57.5%, while property crime has decreased by 51.3%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Bellwood.
In Bellwood, the poverty rate currently stands at 11.1%, 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 Bellwood crime rates.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Bellwood crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Bellwood has an unemployment rate of 5.7%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
In Bellwood, the average rental rates are $1,576 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 | Bellwood | Illinois | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 43 | 30,690 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.2 | 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 |
| Stone Park, IL | 4,842 | 92 | 138 | 230 |
| Western Springs, IL | 13,247 | 8 | 273 | 280 |
| Indian Head Park, IL | 3,744 | 0 | 312 | 312 |
| Kenilworth, IL | 2,356 | 0 | 380 | 380 |
| Willow Springs, IL | 5,610 | 0 | 390 | 390 |
| Winfield, IL | 9,683 | 59 | 345 | 404 |
| Clarendon Hills, IL | 8,834 | 0 | 434 | 434 |
| Bellwood, IL | 18,799 | 306 | 1,197 | 1,504 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Madisonville, KY | 18,801 | 88 | 591 | 679 |
| Farmington, MO | 18,792 | 323 | 2,751 | 3,074 |
| Jacksonville, IL | 18,784 | 304 | 2,103 | 2,406 |
| Onalaska, WI | 18,814 | 37 | 2,292 | 2,329 |
| Seminole, FL | 18,772 | 193 | 1,875 | 2,068 |
| Bellwood, IL | 18,799 | 306 | 1,197 | 1,504 |
Here are the best places to live in Illinois
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Illinois
Safest Cities In The US