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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Des Plaines, IL has a Safety Score of 64/100 — safer than 64% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,260.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,064 of 2,971 US cities and #102 of 184 in Illinois.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Des Plaines, Illinois Safe?
Des Plaines, home to the first McDonald's restaurant, sits along the Des Plaines River in Cook County. This suburban city, with a population around 58,000, is a diverse community northwest of Chicago.
Des Plaines has a safety score of 64/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,260.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Des Plaines ranks #102 out of 184 cities in Illinois and #1064 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 64th percentile for safety — safer than 64% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Des Plaines is burglary, at 417.7 per 100K — 1.5x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Des Plaines's total crime rate increased by 26.6%, with violent crime declining 9.7%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Des Plaines Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 69 | 120.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 11 | 19.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 14 | 24.5 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 44 | 76.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 652 | 1,139.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 239 | 417.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 344 | 601.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 69 | 120.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Des Plaines vs Illinois Average
How does Des Plaines's crime rate compare to the Illinois state average?
| Metric | Des Plaines | Illinois Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 120.6 | 356.4 | -66.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,139.5 | 2,126.5 | -46.4% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.9 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,260.1 | 2,482.9 | -49.2% |
Des Plaines Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Des Plaines, Illinois.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 57,218 | 1,260.1 | 120.6 | 1,139.5 |
| 2023 | 57,672 | 995.3 | 133.5 | 861.8 |
| 2022 | 58,425 | 1,367.6 | 130.1 | 1,237.5 |
| 2021 | 58,166 | 1,196.6 | 134.1 | 1,062.5 |
| 2020 | 58,950 | 1,134.9 | 72.9 | 1,061.9 |
| 2019 | 59,023 | 1,196.1 | 94.9 | 1,101.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Plaines, Illinois safe?
Des Plaines has a safety score of 64/100, meaning it has less crime than about 64% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,260.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Des Plaines is about average for a US city.
What is the crime rate in Des Plaines, Illinois?
According to FBI data for 2024, Des Plaines has a violent crime rate of 120.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,139.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does Des Plaines compare to the national average?
Des Plaines's total crime rate of 1,260.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 57,218 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Des Plaines?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Des Plaines include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Des Plaines safe to visit?
Like any city, Des Plaines has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 64/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.