Effingham County Crime & Safety

Effingham County, Illinois

Safety Score

36/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1482.9

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

170.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1312.4

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

36/100

Higher = safer

State avg 70/100

State Safety Rank

#84

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Effingham County, Illinois

Effingham's Safety in the National Spotlight

Effingham County holds a safety score of 97.7, reflecting a stable and generally safe environment. Its total crime rate of 1,482.9 per 100,000 is higher than some neighbors but still well below the national average of 2,385.5. Four reporting agencies track these statistics for the community.

Effingham vs. the Illinois Average

The county's total crime rate of 1,482.9 is higher than the Illinois state average of 835.0. However, its violent crime rate of 170.5 is very close to the state average of 160.1. This indicates that Effingham experiences a more active crime environment than the typical Illinois county.

Regional Safety Comparisons

Effingham County has a higher crime rate than nearby Douglas (456.5) and Crawford (1,067.9). As a regional transit and commercial hub, it often sees more reported incidents than its more rural neighbors. Despite this, it remains a secure area by national standards.

A Closer Look at Effingham's Data

Property crime is the most frequent issue, with a rate of 1,312.4 per 100,000 residents. Violent crime occurs at a rate of 170.5, representing about 11% of the total reported crime in the county. Residents are significantly more likely to encounter theft than physical confrontation.

Home Security Tips for Effingham

Given the property crime rate, residents should prioritize home security measures like alarm systems and reinforced locks. Keeping valuables out of sight in vehicles is another key way to prevent local thefts. Staying informed about neighborhood activity can help keep these numbers in check.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Effingham County, IL?

Effingham County has a total crime rate of 1482.9 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (170.5 per 100K) and property crimes (1312.4 per 100K).

Is Effingham County, IL safe?

Effingham County has a safety score of 36/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #84 out of 100 counties in Illinois for safety (1 = safest).

How does Effingham County crime compare to the Illinois average?

What types of crime are most common in Effingham County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Effingham County?

Crime data for Effingham 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 Effingham County?

Effingham County has a safety score of 36/100, 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.