Violent
Property
Total
Evanston, IL Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 74,178
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Evanston, Illinois Safe?
Evanston has a safety score of 47/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,883.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Evanston ranks #160 out of 184 cities in Illinois and #2339 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 21st percentile for safety — with higher crime than 79% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Evanston is burglary, at 451.6 per 100K — 1.6x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Evanston's total crime rate decreased by 12.7%, with violent crime declining 15.7%.
Evanston Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 105 | 141.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 23 | 31.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 41 | 55.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 41 | 55.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 2,034 | 2,742.1 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 335 | 451.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,524 | 2,054.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 175 | 235.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Evanston vs Illinois Average
How does Evanston's crime rate compare to the Illinois state average?
| Metric | Evanston | Illinois Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 141.6 | 356.4 | -60.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,742.1 | 2,126.5 | +28.9% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.9 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,883.6 | 2,482.9 | +16.1% |
Evanston Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Evanston, Illinois.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 74,178 | 2,883.6 | 141.6 | 2,742.1 |
| 2023 | 74,413 | 3,303.2 | 168.0 | 3,135.2 |
| 2022 | 76,259 | 2,608.2 | 167.9 | 2,440.4 |
| 2021 | 72,497 | 2,489.8 | 177.9 | 2,311.8 |
| 2020 | 73,352 | 2,342.1 | 203.1 | 2,139.0 |
| 2019 | 74,047 | 2,771.2 | 155.3 | 2,615.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Evanston, Illinois safe?
Evanston has a safety score of 47/100. With a total crime rate of 2,883.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Evanston is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Evanston, Illinois?
According to FBI data for 2024, Evanston has a violent crime rate of 141.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,742.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does Evanston compare to the national average?
Evanston's total crime rate of 2,883.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 74,178.
What types of crime are most common in Evanston?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Evanston include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Evanston safe to visit?
Like any city, Evanston has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 47/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.