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Moving to Decatur, IL?
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 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 #2,565 of 2,957 US cities and #172 of 183 in Illinois.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Decatur, IL?
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, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,471.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Decatur ranks #172 out of 183 cities in Illinois and #2565 out of 2957 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%.
Burglary in Decatur runs 3.2x the national average. Basic measures help — exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points — but if you rent, your landlord's policy covers the building, not your belongings. Renters insurance typically covers personal property lost to theft or a break-in; you can see a renters insurance quote online in a few minutes.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Decatur Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 410 | 603.5 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 5 | 7.4 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 31 | 45.6 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 64 | 94.2 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 309 | 454.9 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 1,948 | 2,867.5 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 630 | 927.4 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,041 | 1,532.4 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 277 | 407.8 | 358.0 |
| 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 | 356.9 | +69.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,867.5 | 2,129.2 | +34.7% |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 7.9 | -6.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,471.0 | 2,486.1 | +39.6% |
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 |
Decatur Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Decatur and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: Illinois crime map.
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 are larceny-theft (1,041 reported incidents) and burglary (630 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 4.8x in the city.
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.
How can I protect my home in Decatur?
Start with the fundamentals: exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points, and knowing your neighbors. If you rent, make sure your belongings are insured — a landlord's policy covers the building, not your things. You can check renters insurance rates online.