| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Peoria/100k people | Illinois/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 6,174 | n/a (estimate) | 5,629 | 2,004 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 14 | n/a | 12.8 | 5.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 167 | n/a | 152.3 | 46.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 140 | n/a | 127.6 | 90.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 1,154 | n/a | 1,052.2 | 146.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,475 | n/a (estimate) | 1,345 | 289 | 359 |
| Burglary | 1,581 | n/a | 1,441.5 | 290.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,266 | n/a | 2,066.1 | 1,134.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 852 | n/a | 776.8 | 290.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 4,699 | n/a (estimate) | 4,284 | 1,715 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Peoria is 165.6% 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 Peoria, there were 1475 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1345 per 100,000 individuals, 274.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 4699 property crimes, amounting to 4284 per 100,000 residents, 143.4% higher than the U.S. average.
With a crime rate of 5629 per 100,000 residents, Peoria has a crime rate that is 165.63% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in Peoria that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.
With a violent crime rate of 1345 crimes per 100,000 residents, Peoria is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Peoria ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 75 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Peoria is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 14 murders in Peoria, which equates to 13 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Peoria being a very dangerous place to live.
Peoria faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 4284 incidents per 100,000 people. This places the city among the worst 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Regrettably, the likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Peoria stands at 1 in 24, significantly surpassing the national average. These statistics underscore the imperative need for bolstered community safety measures to mitigate property crimes and enhance the well-being of its residents.
With a total of 852 vehicle thefts last year, Peoria has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 777 per 100,000 people. This lands Peoria in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 129.
AreaVibes surveyed 139 local residents in Peoria to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 18% of people answered that there was very little crime in Peoria and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 82% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
Determining whether Peoria is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Peoria has an overall crime rate that is 166% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 16.92 daily occurrences, comprising 4.04 violent crimes and 12.87 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Peoria as a potential place to establish residency.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Peoria. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Peoria has increased by 16.1%. Violent crimes have increased by 27.4%, while property crimes have increased by 13%. 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.
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. Peoria, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 6.2%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
Peoria has a population density of 2392.6 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Peoria crime rates.
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 Peoria, the cost of living is 6.12% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | Peoria | Illinois | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 236 | 30,690 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.0 | 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 |
| Dunlap, IL | 1,144 | 57 | 340 | 398 |
| Tremont, IL | 2,316 | 0 | 537 | 537 |
| Germantown Hills, IL | 3,500 | 86 | 510 | 596 |
| Lake Camelot, IL | 1,688 | 90 | 531 | 621 |
| Heritage Lake, IL | 1,712 | 92 | 545 | 637 |
| Metamora, IL | 3,970 | 117 | 691 | 808 |
| Rome, IL | 1,424 | 118 | 702 | 820 |
| Peoria, IL | 115,301 | 1,345 | 4,284 | 5,629 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Elgin, IL | 115,336 | 267 | 1,102 | 1,369 |
| Antioch, CA | 115,196 | 607 | 3,194 | 3,800 |
| Manchester, NH | 114,918 | 336 | 1,648 | 1,984 |
| Miami Gardens, FL | 114,672 | 415 | 2,430 | 2,844 |
| Everett, WA | 114,503 | 265 | 3,219 | 3,484 |
| Peoria, IL | 115,301 | 1,345 | 4,284 | 5,629 |
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