Illinois is a lovely state with many things to enjoy, but there are also some areas that can be unsafe. The list below shows the most dangerous cities in Illinois, determined by crime rates and other factors:
Most Dangerous Illinois Cities
East St. Louis
East St. Louis, Illinois is a city with a population of 26,359 people. Unfortunately, it is known for being one of the most dangerous cities in Illinois. The rate of violent crime in this community is extremely high, at 163% above the national average. This poses significant challenges for the people living here. Additionally, the area has a high property crime rate of 13.63 per 1,000 residents, which highlights ongoing concerns about safety and security.
Harvey
Harvey, a city in Illinois, has a population of 24,295 and is considered the second most dangerous city in the state. The city has a very high rate of violent crime, which is 87% higher than the national average. Property crime is also a big concern, with a rate that is 35% higher than the national average. NeighborhoodScout says that there is a 1 in 85 chance of being a victim of a crime in Harvey.
Rockford
Rockford, Illinois is a city located in the center of the state. It has a population of 147,441. However, there are many significant challenges when it comes to ensuring public safety.
Based on the 2023 Crime Rates in U.S. Cities Report, Rockford has a very high violent crime rate that is 296% higher than the national average. This makes it one of the highest in the country.
Furthermore, the city also has a problem with property crime. The rate is 2,481 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the average rate of 1,559 in the state of Illinois. Rockford has a lot of culture and history, but the crime issues are still a big concern for the people who live there and the officials.
Also Read: You Need to About These Nicest Places to Live in Connecticut
Danville
Danville, Illinois is a city with about 30,969 people. In 2020, it became well-known because a study by 24/7 Wall St. ranked it as the sixth most dangerous metropolitan area in the United States. This unfortunate fact means that it is the most dangerous metropolitan area in the state of Illinois.
The city has had many difficult problems. The rate of violent crime is very high, at 351% above the national average. The rate of property crime is also high, at 128% above the national average.
Peoria
Peoria, Illinois has become one of the most dangerous cities in Illinois because of its high crime rates. According to a study by CBS, this city is ranked as the 15th deadliest in the country, with a population of 112,644. Surprisingly, there are about 22.53 murders for every 100,000 people living in Peoria. In addition, the city has a much higher rate of violent crimes compared to the national average (169% higher) and property crimes (91% higher).
Champaign
Champaign, Illinois, is a city with about 88,288 people living there. It is also where the University of Illinois is located. Although the community is vibrant and diverse, there are some challenges due to crime. The city has a violent crime rate that is 79% higher than the national average, which is causing worries about public safety.
However, Champaign has a property crime rate that is 23% lower than the national average. This means that there are fewer instances of property-related offenses for its residents. However, when compared to other cities and towns in Illinois, Champaign has a higher overall crime rate than 89% of municipalities statewide.
