A+
76%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
88%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
74%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleCortland/100k peopleIllinois/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime23n/a (estimate)5092,0042,119
Murder0n/a0.05.85.0
Rape2n/a44.346.937.5
Robbery0n/a0.090.260.6
Assault0n/a0.0146.3256.1
Violent crime2n/a (estimate)44289359
Burglary1n/a22.1290.5229.2
Theft15n/a331.91,134.41,272.1
Vehicle theft5n/a110.6290.4258.8
Property crime21n/a (estimate)4651,7151,760

Cortland crime map

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

The Cortland crime rates are 76% 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 2 violent crimes in Cortland (44 per 100,000 people), which is 87.7% lower than the national average and there were a total of 21 property crimes (465 per 100,000 residents) which is 73.6% lower than average.

Cortland enjoys a remarkably low crime rate, standing at just 509, a significant contrast to the national average of 2119. This distinction firmly establishes Cortland 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.

With only 44 incidents per 100,000 people, Cortland boasts an exceptionally low rate of violent crimes, positioning it as one of the safest cities in the United States. Given these low violent crime rates, Cortland has become an appealing destination for individuals in search of a secure and welcoming place to establish their new home.

In the most recently reported crime year, Cortland 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.

Property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have exhibited a consistent decrease of about 50% since 1990, with a minor upturn observed in recent years. According to the latest crime data, Cortland maintains a property crime rate of 465 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of 1760. This serves as a strong indication of the status of Cortland as a secure and desirable place to reside, emphasizing its commitment to safety and well-being within the community.

Is Cortland a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Cortland, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Cortland presents a total crime rate that is 76% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Cortland experiences an average of 0.06 daily crimes, comprising 0.01 violent incidents and 0.06 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 Cortland Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Cortland. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Cortland has decreased by 48.9%. Violent crimes have didn't change by 0%, while property crimes have decreased by 51.2%. 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.

Potential Causes for Crime in Cortland

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Cortland, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 4.4%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Cortland, the cost of living is 0.69% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

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 Cortland, the average rental rates are $1,998 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444.

Compare Cortland, IL Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Cortland crime rates are 76% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Cortland are 88% lower than the national average
      • In Cortland you have a 1 in 197 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Cortland is safer than 85% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Cortland has decreased by 42%

      Cortland, IL Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Cortland (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Cortland, IL per 100,000 people. In Cortland, the total number of daily crimes is 3.94 times less than the Illinois average and 4.16 times less than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Cortland is 6.53 times less than the Illinois average and 8.11 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Cortland has a daily crime rate that is 3.69 times less than the Illinois average and 3.79 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Cortland (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Illinois and all other cities across the US, is Cortland safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Cortland is safer than 74% of other cities in the state of Illinois. In addition, Cortland is safer than 85% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Illinois and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Cortland. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Cortland is above average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Cortland

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Cortland is 1 in 2260
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Cortland is 1 in 216
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Cortland is 1 in 197
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Cortland? If you reside in Cortland, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 2260. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 216 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 Cortland, is 1 in 197.

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

        An ideal indicator of whether Cortland is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Cortland has decreased by 61% and the rate of property crime in Cortland has decreased by 39%. The total crime rate in Cortland has decreased by 42% year to year.

        Cortland police department

        Item Cortland Illinois National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)330,690558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents0.72.63.3
        There are a total of 3 Cortland police officers. This results in 0.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 73.4% less than the Illinois average and 78.3% 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
        Waterman, IL1,801000
        Campton Hills, IL11,24394656
        Pingree Grove, IL9,0769158167
        Maple Park, IL1,6470268268
        Prestbury, IL2,02541241281
        Lily Lake, IL1,36041241281
        Sugar Grove, IL9,95933326359
        Cortland, IL4,38444465509

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        American Falls, ID4,384268288556
        Beaver, PA4,38541407448
        Millinocket, ME4,385849601,044
        Grant-Valkaria, FL4,38569369438
        Bellingham, MA4,3832151,0441,260
        Cortland, IL4,38444465509
        Source: The Cortland, IL crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. 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.