DeKalb, IL Crime Rates: Stats & Map

Get crime, demographics and other data for any location in DeKalb, IL

F

28%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

18%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

30%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2023 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2024; this is the most current data available.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	DeKalb_{/100k people}	Illinois_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	1,176	n/a (estimate)	2,924	2,030	2,281
Murder	5	n/a	12.4	6.6	5.7
Rape	57	n/a	141.7	42.5	38.0
Robbery	19	n/a	47.2	110.2	66.5
Assault	91	n/a	226.2	150.8	264.1
Violent crime	172	n/a (estimate)	428	310	364
Burglary	87	n/a	216.3	231.8	250.7
Theft	873	n/a	2,170.4	1,143.5	1,347.2
Vehicle theft	44	n/a	109.4	344.7	318.7
Property crime	1,004	n/a (estimate)	2,496	1,720	1,917

An Overview of Crime Rates in DeKalb, IL

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in DeKalb is 34.5% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In DeKalb, there were 222 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 547 per 100,000 individuals, 48% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 1046 property crimes, amounting to 2579 per 100,000 residents, 32% higher than the U.S. average.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in DeKalb?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of DeKalb residents. Out of the respondents (128 in total), 19% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in DeKalb were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 81% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is DeKalb a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if DeKalb 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. DeKalb has a total crime rate that is 35% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 3.47 daily crimes (0.61 violent daily crimes and 2.87 daily property crimes) in DeKalb.

Has Crime in DeKalb Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in DeKalb has increased by 2.4% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not DeKalb 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 7.5%, while property crime has increased by 4.8%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in DeKalb.

Potential Causes for Crime in DeKalb

DeKalb reports an unemployment rate of 6.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall DeKalb crime rates.

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 DeKalb, 88.3% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

The effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing initiatives can influence crime rates. A strong and collaborative relationship between the police and the community can deter criminal activity and improve safety. In DeKalb, there are 0 police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 3.25. The effectiveness of law enforcement often depends on community policing strategies that emphasize building trust and cooperation between the police and the community. It's not just about the number of officers but also how they engage with the community.

DeKalb crime map

The DeKalb crime map by CrimoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in DeKalb 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 DeKalb crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the DeKalb 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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Compare DeKalb, IL Crime

Crime Quick Facts

DeKalb crime rates are 28% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in DeKalb are 18% higher than the national average
In DeKalb you have a 1 in 35 chance of becoming a victim of crime
DeKalb is safer than 14% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in DeKalb has decreased by 6%

DeKalb, IL Crime Quiz

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Daily Crime In DeKalb (per 100,000 people)

The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in DeKalb, IL per 100,000 people. In DeKalb, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.44 times more than the Illinois average and 1.28 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in DeKalb is 1.38 times more than the Illinois average and 1.18 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, DeKalb has a daily crime rate that is 1.45 times more than the Illinois average and 1.30 times more than the overall daily national average.

How Safe is DeKalb (higher is better)

Are people any safer living in DeKalb in comparison to other Illinois communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is DeKalb safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show DeKalb being safer than 4% of cities in Illinois and 14% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Illinois cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to DeKalb. In conclusion, DeKalb ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in DeKalb

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in DeKalb is 1 in 234

The chance of being a victim of property crime in DeKalb is 1 in 41

The chance of being a victim of crime in DeKalb is 1 in 35

Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in DeKalb? In DeKalb, you have a 1 in 234 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 41. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in DeKalb, IL is 1 in 35.

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

An analysis of year to year crime rates in DeKalb, 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 DeKalb has decreased by 22%, the amount of property crime in DeKalb has decreased by 3%, and the total amount of crime in DeKalb has decreased by 6% year over year.

DeKalb police department

Item	DeKalb	Illinois	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	n/a	30,690	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	n/a	2.6	3.3

Sex offenders in Illinois

State	Total offenders	Illinois_/100K	National_/100K
Illinois	32,213	263	266

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}
Kingston, IL	1,183	0	92	92
Maple Park, IL	1,599	0	132	132
Hinckley, IL	2,190	0	253	253
Hampshire, IL	5,909	38	228	266
Lily Lake, IL	1,333	44	241	285
Big Rock, IL	1,271	61	338	399
Waterman, IL	1,738	110	613	723
DeKalb, IL	42,961	428	2,496	2,924

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Fond du Lac, WI	42,944	333	1,569	1,902
Goose Creek, SC	42,944	267	1,502	1,769
Winter Haven, FL	42,933	324	1,689	2,013
Freeport, NY	42,993	353	1,626	1,979
Campbell, CA	42,891	354	2,656	3,010
DeKalb, IL	42,961	428	2,496	2,924

Source: The DeKalb, IL crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2023. 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.