| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | South Chicago Heights/100k people | Illinois/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 133 | n/a (estimate) | 3,519 | 2,004 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 5.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 46.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 2 | n/a | 52.9 | 90.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 7 | n/a | 185.2 | 146.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 9 | n/a (estimate) | 238 | 289 | 359 |
| Burglary | 10 | n/a | 264.5 | 290.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 98 | n/a | 2,592.6 | 1,134.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 16 | n/a | 423.3 | 290.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 124 | n/a (estimate) | 3,280 | 1,715 | 1,760 |

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the South Chicago Heights crime rate is higher than the national average by 66%. Specifically, there were 9 violent crimes in South Chicago Heights, equivalent to 238 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 33.7%. Furthermore, South Chicago Heights recorded 124 property crimes, amounting to 3280 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 86.4%.
During the most recently reported crime year, South Chicago Heights experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.
With a total of 16 vehicle thefts last year, South Chicago Heights has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 423 per 100,000 people. This lands South Chicago Heights in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 237.
Is South Chicago Heights a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, South Chicago Heights has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 66%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.36 daily incidents, encompassing 0.02 violent crimes and 0.34 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of South Chicago Heights as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in South Chicago Heights has decreased by 26.5% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not South Chicago Heights 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 50%, while property crime has decreased by 23.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in South Chicago Heights.
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. South Chicago Heights, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 4.4%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
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 South Chicago Heights, 77.1% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, 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 South Chicago Heights, the cost of living is 9.72% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

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| Item | South Chicago Heights | Illinois | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 11 | 30,690 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 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 |
| St. John, IN | 18,872 | 24 | 129 | 153 |
| Lowell, IN | 10,146 | 26 | 201 | 228 |
| Lake Dalecarlia, IN | 1,847 | 44 | 194 | 237 |
| Cedar Lake, IN | 13,302 | 66 | 263 | 328 |
| Dyer, IN | 16,417 | 12 | 344 | 356 |
| Beecher, IL | 4,532 | 43 | 385 | 427 |
| Peotone, IL | 4,162 | 71 | 357 | 429 |
| South Chicago Heights, IL | 4,188 | 238 | 3,280 | 3,519 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Lonsdale, MN | 4,186 | 40 | 299 | 339 |
| Nokomis, FL | 4,186 | 139 | 739 | 878 |
| Rose Hill, KS | 4,186 | 114 | 1,004 | 1,118 |
| Pocomoke City, MD | 4,190 | 541 | 2,865 | 3,406 |
| North East, PA | 4,185 | 177 | 1,031 | 1,208 |
| South Chicago Heights, IL | 4,188 | 238 | 3,280 | 3,519 |