Union County Crime & Safety

Union County, Illinois

Safety Score

77/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

560.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

46.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

514.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

77/100

Higher = safer

State avg 70/100

State Safety Rank

#57

of 100 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Union County, Illinois

Union County Surpasses National Safety Averages

Union County earns a high safety score of 99.1, making it significantly safer than the average U.S. community. Its total crime rate of 560.7 per 100,000 residents is nearly 75% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Outperforming the Illinois State Average

The county's safety profile exceeds the Illinois average safety score of 98.7. With a crime rate significantly lower than the state average of 835.0, Union stands out as a regional leader in public safety.

Consistently Safer Than Regional Neighbors

Union County maintains a much lower crime footprint than nearby Vermilion County. While some neighbors face rising property crime, Union keeps its total incidents well below the thresholds of more urbanized areas.

Low Violent Crime Defines Local Landscape

Property crime accounts for 514.0 incidents per 100,000 residents, which remains the primary focus for the five reporting agencies. Violent crime is extremely rare at just 46.7 per 100,000, far below the national average of 369.8.

Simple Steps Protect Union County Homes

Even in highly safe areas, basic security measures like outdoor lighting and locked windows deter opportunistic theft. Keeping the county's safety score high starts with individual awareness and community vigilance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Union County, IL?

Union County has a total crime rate of 560.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (46.7 per 100K) and property crimes (514.0 per 100K).

Is Union County, IL safe?

Union County has a safety score of 77/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #57 out of 100 counties in Illinois for safety (1 = safest).

How does Union County crime compare to the Illinois average?

What types of crime are most common in Union County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Union County?

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

Union County has a safety score of 77/100, 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.