Safest cities in Illinois

Known as the 'Prairie State,' Illinois is a blend of bustling urban centers and scenic rural landscapes. Located in the Midwestern United States, Illinois boasts a diverse geography that includes fertile plains, rolling hills, and the shores of Lake Michigan. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as finance, manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. Chicago, the state’s largest city, is a major cultural and economic hub, known for its impressive skyline, world-class museums, and vibrant arts scene. Illinois is also rich in history, with landmarks such as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield celebrating its heritage. The state offers a variety of recreational activities, from boating on Lake Michigan to hiking in the Shawnee National Forest.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Illinois particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Illinois's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Illinois's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

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Campton Hills Population: 10,962 56 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 9 Property Crime / 100k: 46 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a
Campton Hills proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Illinois. With only 56 crimes per 100,000 people, Campton Hills has a crime rate that is 89% lower than the Illinois average. This equates to an average of 0.02 crimes per day and a 1 in 1,795 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.
Hawthorn Woods Population: 8,313 137 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 137 chance of being a victim: 1 in 728
Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Hawthorn Woods comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Illinois with a crime rate of 137 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 11 counts of burglary, 106 counts of theft, 21 counts of vehicle theft, 0 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Hawthorn Woods, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.
Pingree Grove Population: 8,768 167 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 9 Property Crime / 100k: 158 chance of being a victim: 1 in 600
With a population of 8,768 and a total crime rate of 167 per 100,000 residents, Pingree Grove is the 3rd safest city in Illinois. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 89% lower than the Illinois average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.
Round Lake Park Population: 7,744 181 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 90 Property Crime / 100k: 90 chance of being a victim: 1 in 553
With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Round Lake Park is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 181, 92% lower than the Illinois average. This amounts to 0.04 crimes per day and a 1 in 553 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Round Lake Park a highly desirable and safe place to call home.
Lindenhurst Population: 14,317 188 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 35 Property Crime / 100k: 154 chance of being a victim: 1 in 531
Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Lindenhurst consistently ranks high in safety. In Lindenhurst, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 188, which is 86% lower than the state average.
LaSalle Population: 9,086 202 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 53 Property Crime / 100k: 149 chance of being a victim: 1 in 494
LaSalle has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Illinois. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 202 crimes per 100,000 people, 91% lower than the Illinois average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 53 reports of burglary, 64 reports of theft, 32 reports of vehicle theft, 32 reports of assault, 11 reports of robbery, 11 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.
Manhattan Population: 8,218 229 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 37 Property Crime / 100k: 192 chance of being a victim: 1 in 436
Manhattan ranks as the seventh safest city in Illinois and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 436 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.07 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Manhattan’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Illinois.
Monticello Population: 5,815 232 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 232 chance of being a victim: 1 in 432
Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Monticello is the 8th safest city in Illinois. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 94% lower than the Illinois average, reporting a total of 232 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.
Gilberts Population: 7,941 247 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 34 Property Crime / 100k: 213 chance of being a victim: 1 in 405
Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Gilberts is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Illinois, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 247 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 91% lower than the state average.
Western Springs Population: 13,247 280 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 8 Property Crime / 100k: 273 chance of being a victim: 1 in 357
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Illinois, is Western Springs. With a low rate of crime that included 68 burglaries, 197 thefts, 8 vehicle thefts, 0 assaults, 8 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 87% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Illinois

Rank Location Population Violent Crimes /100k Property Crimes /100k Total Crimes /100k 
1 Campton Hills 10,962 9 46 56
2 Hawthorn Woods 8,313 0 137 137
3 Pingree Grove 8,768 9 158 167
4 Round Lake Park 7,744 90 90 181
5 Lindenhurst 14,317 35 154 188
6 LaSalle 9,086 53 149 202
7 Manhattan 8,218 37 192 229
8 Monticello 5,815 0 232 232
9 Gilberts 7,941 34 213 247
10 Western Springs 13,247 8 273 280
11 Homer Glen 24,521 16 277 293
12 Sandwich 7,351 28 277 305
13 Chester 8,264 45 268 313
14 Minooka 11,069 8 333 341
15 Maryville 7,962 60 288 348
16 Sugar Grove 9,756 33 326 359
17 Pinckneyville 5,391 80 302 382
18 Hampshire 5,909 36 352 388
19 Mascoutah 8,454 45 345 390
20 Willow Springs 5,610 0 390 390
21 Winfield 9,683 59 345 404
22 Inverness 7,959 14 402 416
23 Spring Grove 5,672 18 398 416
24 Bartlett 40,894 28 391 419
25 Clarendon Hills 8,834 0 434 434
26 Mahomet 8,888 228 209 437
27 Braidwood 6,338 65 389 454
28 Huntley 27,413 28 429 457
29 Yorkville 19,386 74 388 461
30 Troy 10,278 9 460 469
31 Palos Hills 17,172 68 411 479
32 Cary 17,926 11 477 488
33 Lisle 23,363 43 455 498
34 Lake in the Hills 28,617 70 437 507
35 Mendota 6,927 131 377 508
36 Manteno 8,545 174 338 512
37 Du Quoin 5,723 124 389 513
38 Oak Forest 27,403 89 438 527
39 Hinsdale 17,366 46 492 538
40 Hanover Park 37,811 126 416 542
41 Mount Zion 5,707 51 514 566
42 Antioch 14,231 40 530 570
43 Channahon 13,281 77 494 571
44 Lemont 17,131 34 543 577
45 Elburn 5,559 45 539 584
46 Geneva 21,843 62 522 584
47 Oswego 35,470 34 552 586
48 Belvidere 24,932 150 439 589
49 Island Lake 8,112 63 526 589
50 Wheaton 53,157 49 541 591

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Illinois is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Illinois cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.