Mercer County Crime & Safety

Mercer County, Illinois

Safety Score

91/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

159.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

6.4

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

152.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

91/100

Higher = safer

State avg 70/100

State Safety Rank

#31

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Mercer County, Illinois

Mercer County is a national safety leader

Mercer County's total crime rate of 159.3 is massively lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county an exceptional safety score of 99.7 out of 100.

A top-tier safety destination in Illinois

The county's crime rate of 159.3 is far better than the state average of 835.0. Mercer's safety score of 99.7 easily beats the state average of 98.7, ranking it among the safest in Illinois.

Outperforming neighboring Illinois counties

Mercer is safer than nearby Mason County, which has a rate of 711.3, and Marshall County at 553.7. It mirrors the high safety levels found in McDonough County (179.0).

Personal safety is a given here

Violent crime is nearly zero, with only 6.4 incidents per 100K reported by five agencies. Property crime accounts for 152.9, which is still incredibly low by state and national standards.

Vigilance for your valuables

The primary threat in Mercer is property-related, though the risk remains minimal. Simple habits like locking vehicles and home doors are usually sufficient to maintain this county's high level of security.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Mercer County, IL?

Mercer County has a total crime rate of 159.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (6.4 per 100K) and property crimes (152.9 per 100K).

Is Mercer County, IL safe?

Mercer County has a safety score of 91/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #31 out of 100 counties in Illinois for safety (1 = safest).

How does Mercer County crime compare to the Illinois average?

The county's crime rate of 159.3 is far better than the state average of 835.0. Mercer's safety score of 99.7 easily beats the state average of 98.7, ranking it among the safest in Illinois.

What types of crime are most common in Mercer County?

Violent crime is nearly zero, with only 6.4 incidents per 100K reported by five agencies. Property crime accounts for 152.9, which is still incredibly low by state and national standards.

How is crime data measured and reported for Mercer County?

Crime data for Mercer 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.

Why is Mercer County safer than the Illinois average?

Mercer County has a safety score of 91/100, which is above the Illinois average of 70/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.