Chicago, IL — Crime Rate & Safety
Population 2.7M · 2023 FBI UCR Data
Chicago, IL has a violent crime rate of 372.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 2% above the national average of 363.8. The property crime rate is 2,023 per 100,000, 10% above the national average. Over the past 5 years, crime in Chicago has decreased by 14.0%.Chicago receives a Safety Context Score of B (71/100) based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Reading this data in context: Chicago's violent crime rate of 372.3 per 100,000 residents is 2% above the national average. Over the past 5 years, the overall crime rate has decreased (-14.0%). Crime data reflects reported incidents and does not capture the full picture of neighborhood safety. All crime statistics are compiled from the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which aggregates data reported by local law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Crime Rate Breakdown (per 100K residents)
All rates per 100,000 residents. National average shown for comparison.
5-Year Crime Rate Trend
Per-capita rates per 100,000 residents
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago has a Safety Context Score of B (71/100). The violent crime rate is 372.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 363.8. Over the past 5 years, overall crime has decreased (-14.0%).
Chicago's violent crime rate is 372.3 per 100,000 residents and property crime rate is 2,023 per 100,000. These are per-capita rates based on FBI UCR data, which provide a more accurate comparison than raw crime counts.
Chicago's 5-year crime trend shows a -14.0% change. Crime rates have been decreasing, which is a positive sign. Always look at long-term trends rather than single-year changes.
Chicago's violent crime rate of 372.3 per 100K is above the national average of 363.8. The property crime rate of 2,023 per 100K is above the national average of 1,832.
Based on 2023 FBI data, Chicago earns a Safety Context Score of B (71/100). With below-average crime rates, Chicago compares favorably to most US cities. The 5-year trend is improving, which is an important factor for anyone considering relocation. Crime statistics represent city-wide averages and vary significantly by neighborhood.
The most common crime type in Chicago is larceny-theft at 1,537 per 100,000 residents. Overall, property crime (2,023/100K) is significantly more common than violent crime (372.3/100K), which is typical for most US cities. Motor vehicle theft is 283.2/100K below the national average of 318.3.
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All crime rates are per 100,000 residents. Safety Context Scores are calculated using per-capita violent crime (40%), per-capita property crime (30%), and 5-year trend direction (30%), all compared to national averages.