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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Elgin, IL has a Safety Score of 61/100 — safer than 61% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,368.7 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,166 of 2,971 US cities and #108 of 184 in Illinois.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Elgin, Illinois Safe?
Elgin, Illinois, once known as "Watch City" due to the Elgin National Watch Company, is a Fox River community. Located in Kane and Cook counties, it's home to a diverse population of over 114,000 residents.
Elgin has a safety score of 61/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,368.7 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Elgin ranks #108 out of 184 cities in Illinois and #1166 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 61st percentile for safety — safer than 61% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Elgin is rape, at 64.7 per 100K — 1.5x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.2x the national rate.
Year over year, Elgin's total crime rate decreased by 1.2%, with violent crime rising 17.6%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Elgin Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 301 | 266.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 5 | 4.4 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 73 | 64.7 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 35 | 31.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 188 | 166.6 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,244 | 1,102.1 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 239 | 211.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 908 | 804.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 97 | 85.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Elgin vs Illinois Average
How does Elgin's crime rate compare to the Illinois state average?
| Metric | Elgin | Illinois Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 266.7 | 356.4 | -25.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,102.1 | 2,126.5 | -48.2% |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 7.9 | -43.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,368.7 | 2,482.9 | -44.9% |
Elgin Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Elgin, Illinois.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 111,127 | 1,456.0 | 234.0 | 1,222.0 |
| 2019 | 112,112 | 1,473.5 | 198.9 | 1,274.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elgin, Illinois safe?
Elgin has a safety score of 61/100, meaning it has less crime than about 61% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,368.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Elgin is about average for a US city.
What is the crime rate in Elgin, Illinois?
According to FBI data for 2024, Elgin has a violent crime rate of 266.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,102.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does Elgin compare to the national average?
Elgin's total crime rate of 1,368.7 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 112,879 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Elgin?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Elgin include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Elgin safe to visit?
Like any city, Elgin has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 61/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.