| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Decatur/100k people | Illinois/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,357 | n/a (estimate) | 3,470 | 2,004 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 5 | n/a | 7.4 | 5.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 31 | n/a | 45.6 | 46.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 64 | n/a | 94.2 | 90.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 309 | n/a | 454.9 | 146.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 409 | n/a (estimate) | 602 | 289 | 359 |
| Burglary | 630 | n/a | 927.4 | 290.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,041 | n/a | 1,532.4 | 1,134.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 277 | n/a | 407.7 | 290.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,948 | n/a (estimate) | 2,867 | 1,715 | 1,760 |
The Decatur crime rates are 63.7% 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 409 violent crimes in Decatur (602 per 100,000 people), which is 67.7% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1948 property crimes (2867 per 100,000 residents) which is 62.9% higher than average.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Decatur ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 277 vehicle thefts, amounting to 408 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Decatur within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 246.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Decatur residents. Out of the respondents (51 in total), 24% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Decatur were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 76% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To determine if Decatur is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Decatur has a total crime rate that is 64% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 6.46 daily crimes (1.12 violent daily crimes and 5.34 daily property crimes) in Decatur.
Year-over-year crime rates in Decatur has increased by 1.2% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Decatur 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 9.1%, while property crime has increased by 0.3%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Decatur.
Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Decatur crime rates. Decatur registers a population density of 1751.2 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
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 Decatur, the cost of living is 18.98% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
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 Decatur are $1,025, compared to a national average of $1,444 per month.
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 | Decatur | Illinois | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 189 | 30,690 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.5 | 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 |
| Blue Mound, IL | 1,171 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mount Zion, IL | 5,927 | 51 | 514 | 566 |
| Forsyth, IL | 3,591 | 82 | 484 | 566 |
| Long Creek, IL | 1,490 | 107 | 637 | 745 |
| Macon, IL | 1,122 | 124 | 739 | 863 |
| Warrensburg, IL | 1,292 | 130 | 770 | 900 |
| Harristown, IL | 1,343 | 131 | 779 | 910 |
| Decatur, IL | 74,163 | 602 | 2,867 | 3,470 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Turlock, CA | 74,182 | 476 | 1,877 | 2,352 |
| Bowling Green, KY | 74,252 | 225 | 2,929 | 3,153 |
| Maple Grove, MN | 74,291 | 113 | 1,763 | 1,877 |
| Pawtucket, RI | 74,311 | 308 | 1,512 | 1,819 |
| Mansfield, TX | 73,975 | 93 | 1,381 | 1,475 |
| Decatur, IL | 74,163 | 602 | 2,867 | 3,470 |
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