| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Rockford/100k people | Illinois/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 5,226 | n/a (estimate) | 3,597 | 2,004 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 19 | n/a | 13.1 | 5.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 101 | n/a | 69.5 | 46.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 155 | n/a | 106.7 | 90.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 1,294 | n/a | 890.7 | 146.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,569 | n/a (estimate) | 1,080 | 289 | 359 |
| Burglary | 919 | n/a | 632.6 | 290.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,099 | n/a | 1,444.8 | 1,134.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 639 | n/a | 439.8 | 290.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 3,657 | n/a (estimate) | 2,517 | 1,715 | 1,760 |
When we analyze the latest crime report, the Rockford crime rate is 69.7% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Rockford, there were 1569 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1080 per 100,000 individuals, 200.8% higher than the national average. Additionally, Rockford recorded 3657 property crimes, amounting to 2517 per 100,000 residents, 43% higher than the U.S. average.
Rockford ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 1080 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Rockford stand at 1 in every 93 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Rockford is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 19 murders in Rockford, which equates to 13 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Rockford being a very dangerous place to live.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Rockford is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Rockford reported a total of 639 vehicle thefts, resulting in 440 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 228, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Rockford. Based on the results of the surveys (249 responses), 10% of people felt that there was very little crime in Rockford and felt safe walking alone at night. While 90% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Rockford, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Rockford presents a total crime rate that is 70% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Rockford experiences an average of 14.32 daily crimes, comprising 4.3 violent incidents and 10.02 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Rockford. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Rockford has decreased by 9.6%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 29%, while property crime has decreased by 2.4%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Rockford.
The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Rockford, 76.9% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Rockford, the cost of living is 13.27% lower than the national average.
The median home price in Rockford is $170,955, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
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 | Rockford | Illinois | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 301 | 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 |
| Durand, IL | 1,529 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Timberlane, IL | 1,195 | 41 | 241 | 281 |
| Pecatonica, IL | 2,002 | 148 | 197 | 345 |
| Byron, IL | 3,696 | 106 | 265 | 372 |
| Winnebago, IL | 3,610 | 35 | 490 | 524 |
| Belvidere, IL | 25,831 | 150 | 439 | 589 |
| Roscoe, IL | 10,953 | 157 | 546 | 703 |
| Rockford, IL | 151,169 | 1,080 | 2,517 | 3,597 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Naperville, IL | 151,582 | 84 | 884 | 967 |
| Bellevue, WA | 151,975 | 139 | 3,339 | 3,478 |
| Joliet, IL | 152,137 | 350 | 1,245 | 1,595 |
| Torrance, CA | 150,066 | 311 | 2,776 | 3,087 |
| Bridgeport, CT | 149,398 | 393 | 1,469 | 1,862 |
| Rockford, IL | 151,169 | 1,080 | 2,517 | 3,597 |
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