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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Decatur, IL has a Safety Score of 13/100 — higher crime than 87% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,471.0 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,581 of 2,971 US cities and #173 of 184 in Illinois.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Decatur, Illinois Safe?
Decatur, a Central Illinois city, sits on the Sangamon River and boasts a rich agricultural heritage. It's home to Millikin University and a diverse population, with a significant portion of its residents identifying as African American.
Decatur has a safety score of 13/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,471.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Decatur ranks #173 out of 184 cities in Illinois and #2581 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 13th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 87% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Decatur is burglary, at 927.4 per 100K — 3.2x the national average.
Year over year, Decatur's total crime rate increased by 6.7%, with violent crime declining 12.3%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Decatur Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 410 | 603.5 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 5 | 7.4 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 31 | 45.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 64 | 94.2 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 309 | 454.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,948 | 2,867.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 630 | 927.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,041 | 1,532.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 277 | 407.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Decatur vs Illinois Average
How does Decatur's crime rate compare to the Illinois state average?
| Metric | Decatur | Illinois Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 603.5 | 356.4 | +69.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,867.5 | 2,126.5 | +34.8% |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 7.9 | -6.5% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,471.0 | 2,482.9 | +39.8% |
Decatur Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Decatur, Illinois.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 67,934 | 3,471.0 | 603.5 | 2,867.5 |
| 2023 | 68,301 | 3,251.8 | 688.1 | 2,563.7 |
| 2022 | 68,789 | 3,196.7 | 709.4 | 2,487.3 |
| 2021 | 69,426 | 3,426.7 | 852.7 | 2,574.0 |
| 2020 | 70,175 | 3,452.8 | 696.8 | 2,756.0 |
| 2019 | 70,710 | 3,293.7 | 530.3 | 2,763.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Decatur, Illinois safe?
Decatur has a safety score of 13/100, meaning it has less crime than about 13% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,471.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Decatur is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Decatur, Illinois?
According to FBI data for 2024, Decatur has a violent crime rate of 603.5 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,867.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does Decatur compare to the national average?
Decatur's total crime rate of 3,471.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 67,934 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Decatur?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Decatur include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Decatur safe to visit?
Like any city, Decatur has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 13/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.