| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Summit/100k people | Illinois/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 209 | n/a (estimate) | 1,999 | 2,004 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 19.1 | 5.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 10 | n/a | 95.6 | 46.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 14 | n/a | 133.9 | 90.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 23 | n/a | 220.0 | 146.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 49 | n/a (estimate) | 469 | 289 | 359 |
| Burglary | 27 | n/a | 258.3 | 290.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 103 | n/a | 985.2 | 1,134.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 30 | n/a | 286.9 | 290.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 160 | n/a (estimate) | 1,530 | 1,715 | 1,760 |

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Summit is 5.7% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 49 violent crimes reported in Summit, equivalent to 469 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 30.5%. Additionally, Summit recorded 160 property crimes, amounting to 1530 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 13.1%.
When evaluating the Summit crime rate for every 100,000 residents, it positions itself in the middle range among all cities that reported crime. Our examination of total offenses, spanning both violent and property crimes, indicates that the reported Summit crime rates closely correspond to the national average reported by other regions.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Summit stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Summit, there were a total of 2 murders, translating to 19 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Summit. Based on the results of the surveys (10 responses), 50% of people felt that there was very little crime in Summit and felt safe walking alone at night. While 50% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Summit 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. Summit has a total crime rate that is 6% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.57 daily crimes (0.13 violent daily crimes and 0.44 daily property crimes) in Summit.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Summit crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Summit has decreased by 8.7% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 9.3% and property crime has decreased by 8.6%.
High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Summit crime rates. The population density in Summit is 5414.5 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.
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 Summit, the cost of living is 3.9% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
In Summit, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 3.06 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.
| Item | Summit | Illinois | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 34 | 30,690 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.1 | 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 |
| Stone Park, IL | 4,997 | 92 | 138 | 230 |
| Western Springs, IL | 13,775 | 8 | 273 | 280 |
| Homer Glen, IL | 25,242 | 16 | 277 | 293 |
| Indian Head Park, IL | 3,873 | 0 | 312 | 312 |
| Willow Springs, IL | 5,786 | 0 | 390 | 390 |
| Clarendon Hills, IL | 9,104 | 0 | 434 | 434 |
| Palos Hills, IL | 17,664 | 68 | 411 | 479 |
| Summit, IL | 11,472 | 469 | 1,530 | 1,999 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Grand Rapids, MN | 11,472 | 88 | 1,032 | 1,121 |
| Forest, VA | 11,470 | 190 | 1,367 | 1,556 |
| Lincolnton, NC | 11,470 | 361 | 2,124 | 2,484 |
| La Homa, TX | 11,475 | 567 | 2,973 | 3,540 |
| Lanham, MD | 11,468 | 406 | 1,983 | 2,390 |
| Summit, IL | 11,472 | 469 | 1,530 | 1,999 |