Lake County Crime & Safety

Lake County, Indiana

Safety Score

27/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1781.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

288.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1492.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

27/100

Higher = safer

State avg 72/100

State Safety Rank

#82

of 91 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Lake County, Indiana

Lake County stays below national crime rates

Lake County reports a total crime rate of 1781.0 per 100K, which is notably lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Its safety score of 97.2 reflects a moderate risk level compared to the rest of the country. Twenty reporting agencies manage public safety across this diverse region.

Evaluating safety in Northwest Indiana

Lake County's safety score of 97.2 is slightly lower than the Indiana state average of 98.9. The total crime rate of 1781.0 per 100K is over double the state average of 693.8. This indicates a more active law enforcement environment than in many other Indiana counties.

Active trends in a busy corridor

Lake County faces higher crime rates than rural neighbors, largely due to its urban density and proximity to Chicago. The violent crime rate of 288.5 per 100K exceeds the Indiana state average of 102.9. However, it still remains safer than some larger metropolitan hubs.

A focus on property and violent crime

Violent crime in Lake County is 288.5 per 100K, while property crime is much more frequent at 1492.5. While these numbers are higher than the state average, they remain below national benchmarks of 369.8 and 2,015.7 respectively. Crime prevention efforts focus heavily on reducing property theft.

Building a safer Lake County home

Given the higher incidence of property crime, robust home security is recommended for Lake County residents. Use smart doorbells and alarms to discourage potential intruders. Joining a neighborhood watch can significantly improve local safety outcomes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Lake County, IN?

Lake County has a total crime rate of 1781.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (288.5 per 100K) and property crimes (1492.5 per 100K).

Is Lake County, IN safe?

Lake County has a safety score of 27/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #82 out of 91 counties in Indiana for safety (1 = safest).

How does Lake County crime compare to the Indiana average?

What types of crime are most common in Lake County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Lake County?

Crime data for Lake 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 Lake County?

Lake County has a safety score of 27/100, which is below the Indiana average of 72/100. 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.