Shelby County Crime & Safety

Shelby County, Illinois

Safety Score

91/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

152.1

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

28.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

123.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

91/100

Higher = safer

State avg 70/100

State Safety Rank

#28

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Shelby County, Illinois

Shelby County shows elite national safety

Shelby County's total crime rate of 152.1 per 100,000 is a fraction of the national 2,385.5 average. With a safety score of 99.8, it is one of the most secure counties in the country. Four reporting agencies consistently document very low levels of criminal activity.

Top-tier safety within Illinois borders

Shelby's safety score of 99.8 easily clears the state average of 98.7. Its total crime rate of 152.1 is significantly better than the Illinois average of 835.0. Residents live in one of the state's most law-abiding jurisdictions.

Strong safety performance against regional neighbors

Shelby County is much safer than St. Clair County, which reports a crime rate of 1,067.0. While some regional neighbors see higher activity, Shelby maintains a consistently low-incident profile. This makes it a preferred location for those prioritizing public safety.

Minimal violent crime reported locally

The violent crime rate is exceptionally low at 28.5 per 100,000, while property crime stands at 123.6. These numbers suggest that serious interpersonal violence is extremely rare in the community. Most reported incidents are minor property-related issues handled by four local agencies.

Protecting your home in Shelby County

With property crime at just 123.6 per 100,000, residents enjoy high levels of security. Standard precautions like locking windows and using deadbolts remain effective ways to deter the few incidents that do occur. Staying informed through local alerts keeps this safe community even more resilient.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Shelby County, IL?

Shelby County has a total crime rate of 152.1 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (28.5 per 100K) and property crimes (123.6 per 100K).

Is Shelby County, IL safe?

Shelby 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 #28 out of 100 counties in Illinois for safety (1 = safest).

How does Shelby County crime compare to the Illinois average?

What types of crime are most common in Shelby County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Shelby County?

Crime data for Shelby 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 Shelby County safer than the Illinois average?

Shelby 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.