Stephenson County Crime & Safety

Stephenson County, Illinois

Safety Score

51/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1110.6

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

200.1

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

910.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

51/100

Higher = safer

State avg 70/100

State Safety Rank

#79

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Stephenson County, Illinois

Stephenson County outperforms national safety averages

Stephenson County maintains a high safety score of 98.2 despite having 1,110.6 crimes per 100,000. This rate is less than half the national average of 2,385.5, showing a relatively secure community. Seven reporting agencies manage law enforcement across the county's various jurisdictions.

Slightly above the Illinois crime average

While its safety score is 98.2, Stephenson's crime rate of 1,110.6 is higher than the Illinois average of 835.0. This places the county in a more active tier than the state's most rural areas. However, it still remains much safer than the state's largest metropolitan centers.

Safer than Tazewell but more active than Stark

Stephenson's crime rate of 1,110.6 is significantly lower than Tazewell's 1,708.6. Conversely, it sees much more activity than Stark County, which reports a nearly zero crime rate. These comparisons show Stephenson as a moderately active but safe regional hub.

Violent crime remains well below national levels

The violent crime rate is 200.1 per 100,000, roughly 45% lower than the national average. Property crime is more common at 910.5, though still below national benchmarks. Most criminal activity in the area involves non-violent property disputes and thefts.

Securing your home against property theft

With property crime at 910.5, residents should take standard steps to secure their homes and vehicles. Simple measures like locking car doors and using outdoor motion sensors can prevent most local crimes. Being proactive helps maintain Stephenson's strong safety score.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Stephenson County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Stephenson County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Stephenson County, IL?

Stephenson County has a total crime rate of 1110.6 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (200.1 per 100K) and property crimes (910.5 per 100K).

Is Stephenson County, IL safe?

Stephenson County has a safety score of 51/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #79 out of 100 counties in Illinois for safety (1 = safest).

How does Stephenson County crime compare to the Illinois average?

What types of crime are most common in Stephenson County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Stephenson County?

Crime data for Stephenson 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 Stephenson County?

Stephenson County has a safety score of 51/100, 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.