Illinois is known for its diverse landscapes, vibrant communities, and rich history. From the world-famous skyline of Chicago to the scenic trails of southern Illinois, the state offers residents and visitors a wide range of cultural, recreational, and economic opportunities.
Despite these strengths, some communities continue to face public safety challenges. Crime rates can vary significantly from one city to another, and understanding these differences can help residents, travelers, and policymakers make informed decisions.
Quick Guide
- State: Illinois
- Ranking Criteria: Violent crimes per 100,000 residents
- Includes: Assault, robbery, rape, and homicide offenses
- Most Dangerous City: Danville
- Highest Violent Crime Rate: 1,684 per 100,000 residents
- Data Focus: Violent crime statistics and public safety trends
- Source: areavibes
The following ranking highlights the 10 most dangerous cities in Illinois based on reported violent crime rates per 100,000 residents. While crime statistics provide valuable insight into public safety trends, they do not define an entire community. Many of these cities are actively working to improve neighborhood safety through law enforcement initiatives, community programs, and economic development efforts.
10. Riverdale
- Population: 12,878
- 709 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 1.94
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 141
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,567
Rounding out our list at #10 is Riverdale, IL. With a population of 12,878 and a violent crime rate of 709 per 100,000 people (145% higher than the Illinois average), some parts of Riverdale are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 430 counts of assault, 130 counts of robbery, 80 counts of rape and 70 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 141 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
9. Peoria Heights
- Population: 6,052
- 807 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.21
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 124
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,474
Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Peoria Heights, IL comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Illinois with a violent crime rate of 807 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 2.21 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 124 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.
8. Springfield
- Population: 117,426
- 901 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.47
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 111
- Total Crimes / 100k: 5,813
Springfield, IL is another one of the most dangerous cities in Illinois and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 117,426 and a violent crime rate of 901 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 653 counts of assault, 134 counts of robbery, 106 counts of rape and 8 counts of homicide. All told, the Springfield violent crime rate is 212% higher than the Illinois average.
7. Alton
- Population: 27,407
- 963 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.64
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 104
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,632
A 1 in 104 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 2.64 violent crimes per day – those are some fairly good reasons why Alton makes the list at #7.
According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 963 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 233% higher than the Illinois average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (697), robbery (117), rape (137) and homicide (12).
6. Calumet Park
- Population: 8,694
- 987 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.70
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 101
- Total Crimes / 100k: 4,510
Calumet Park, IL comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 987 per 100,000 people, which is 241% higher than the Illinois average. Calumet Park has a population of 8,694, which translates to 2.70 crimes per day and 1 in 101 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Calumet Park which are much safer than others.
5. Carbondale
- Population: 26,321
- 1,005 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.75
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 100
- Total Crimes / 100k: 4,690
The ongoing battle with crime in Carbondale, IL, is not a new issue – which is why there’s no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 1,005 and a 1 in 100 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Carbondale has a violent crime rate that is 247% higher than the Illinois average.
Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Carbondale.
4. Rockford
- Population: 151,169
- 1,080 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 2.96
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 93
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,597
With a violent crime rate that is 273% higher than the Illinois average, it’s not hard to see why Rockford made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (107), assault (891), rape (70) and homicide (13).
In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Rockford more vulnerable to high crime.
3. Chicago Heights
- Population: 30,540
- 1,232 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 3.38
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 81
- Total Crimes / 100k: 3,965
Home to 30,540 residents, Chicago Heights, IL ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Illinois. Unfortunately for residents of Chicago Heights, crime is widespread, with more than 1,232 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 3.38 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 326% higher than the Illinois violent crime rate.
2. Peoria
- Population: 115,301
- 1,345 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 3.68
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 74
- Total Crimes / 100k: 5,629
The second most dangerous city is Peoria. With a population of 115,301 and a violent crime rate that is 365% higher than the Illinois average, the city has seen better days.
The higher than average crime rates in Peoria are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,345 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 74 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
1. Danville
- Population: 31,689
- 1,684 violent crimes per 100k
- violent crimes per day: 4.61
- chance of being a victim: 1 in 59
- Total Crimes / 100k: 7,361
Danville, IL holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Illinois with 1,684 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (1,423), robbery (82), rape (176) and homicide (4) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 482% higher than the Illinois average.
Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.
Final Thoughts
Illinois offers an incredible mix of culture, history, entertainment, and natural beauty. While the cities on this list face higher-than-average violent crime rates, many residents continue to work toward positive change through community engagement, economic development, and public safety initiatives.
Crime statistics are only one measure of a community, and they do not define the people who live there. Understanding local safety trends can help residents and visitors make informed decisions while exploring everything Illinois has to offer.
