DeKalb County Crime & Safety

DeKalb County, Illinois

Safety Score

26/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1835.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

302.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1532.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

26/100

Higher = safer

State avg 70/100

State Safety Rank

#90

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in DeKalb County, Illinois

DeKalb's Safety in a National Frame

DeKalb County holds a safety score of 97.1, indicating a generally secure environment despite its higher activity levels. Its total crime rate of 1,835.4 per 100,000 residents remains well below the national average of 2,385.5. Fourteen local agencies contribute to this comprehensive data set.

How DeKalb Compares to Illinois Averages

The county's total crime rate of 1,835.4 is more than double the Illinois state average of 835.0. This makes DeKalb more active than many of its rural counterparts across the state. Its violent crime rate of 302.9 also exceeds the state average of 160.1.

DeKalb vs. Its Neighbors

DeKalb experiences significantly more crime than neighboring DuPage County, which reports a rate of only 363.2 per 100,000. While it is more active than surrounding agricultural counties, it serves as a major hub with more reporting agencies. This increased density often correlates with higher reported numbers.

Understanding the Crime Mix in DeKalb

Property crime is the primary driver of local statistics, reaching 1,532.5 per 100,000 residents. While violent crime exists at 302.9, it accounts for a relatively small portion of total incidents. Residents should be most mindful of protecting their personal property and vehicles.

Proactive Security for DeKalb Residents

Given the property crime rate, high-quality locks and home alarm systems are recommended for DeKalb households. Registering your security cameras with local police can also help solve neighborhood thefts more quickly. Simple prevention goes a long way in this active Illinois county.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in DeKalb County, IL?

DeKalb County has a total crime rate of 1835.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (302.9 per 100K) and property crimes (1532.5 per 100K).

Is DeKalb County, IL safe?

DeKalb County has a safety score of 26/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #90 out of 100 counties in Illinois for safety (1 = safest).

How does DeKalb County crime compare to the Illinois average?

What types of crime are most common in DeKalb County?

How is crime data measured and reported for DeKalb County?

Crime data for DeKalb County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in DeKalb County?

DeKalb County has a safety score of 26/100, which is below the Illinois average of 70/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.