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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Chicago Heights, IL has a Safety Score of 9/100 — higher crime than 91% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,964.8 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,710 of 2,971 US cities and #179 of 184 in Illinois.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Chicago Heights, Illinois Safe?
Chicago Heights, once home to the Illinois Steel Company, is a diverse southern suburb of Chicago. Its population is predominantly Black and Hispanic, reflecting a rich tapestry of cultures.
Chicago Heights has a safety score of 9/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,964.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Chicago Heights ranks #179 out of 184 cities in Illinois and #2710 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 9th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 91% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Chicago Heights is murder, at 19.4 per 100K — 3.1x the national average.
Year over year, Chicago Heights's total crime rate decreased by 17.3%, with violent crime declining 29.1%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Chicago Heights Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 318 | 1,232.5 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 5 | 19.4 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 12 | 46.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 68 | 263.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 233 | 903.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 705 | 2,732.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 174 | 674.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 378 | 1,465.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 153 | 593.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Chicago Heights vs Illinois Average
How does Chicago Heights's crime rate compare to the Illinois state average?
| Metric | Chicago Heights | Illinois Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,232.5 | 356.4 | +245.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,732.4 | 2,126.5 | +28.5% |
| Murder Rate | 19.4 | 7.9 | +146.3% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,964.8 | 2,482.9 | +59.7% |
Chicago Heights Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Chicago Heights, Illinois.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25,802 | 3,964.8 | 1,232.5 | 2,732.4 |
| 2023 | 26,018 | 4,792.8 | 1,737.3 | 3,055.6 |
| 2022 | 26,393 | 4,569.4 | 1,902.0 | 2,667.4 |
| 2021 | 28,852 | 2,398.5 | 1,081.4 | 1,317.1 |
| 2020 | 29,207 | 2,085.1 | 701.9 | 1,383.2 |
| 2019 | 29,471 | 2,728.1 | 773.6 | 1,954.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago Heights, Illinois safe?
Chicago Heights has a safety score of 9/100, meaning it has less crime than about 9% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,964.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Chicago Heights is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Chicago Heights, Illinois?
According to FBI data for 2024, Chicago Heights has a violent crime rate of 1,232.5 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,732.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Chicago Heights compare to the national average?
Chicago Heights's total crime rate of 3,964.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 25,802 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Chicago Heights?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Chicago Heights include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Chicago Heights safe to visit?
Like any city, Chicago Heights has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 9/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.