Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Sterling, IL has a Safety Score of 51/100 — safer than 51% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,652.8 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,452 of 2,971 US cities and #120 of 184 in Illinois.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Sterling, Illinois Safe?
Sterling, Illinois, a city in Whiteside County along the Rock River, was once known as the "Hardware Capital of the World." This industrial heritage is reflected in its diverse population of around 15,000 residents.
Sterling has a safety score of 51/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,652.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Sterling ranks #120 out of 184 cities in Illinois and #1452 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 51st percentile for safety — safer than 51% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Sterling is murder, at 20.8 per 100K — 3.4x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.2x the national rate.
Year over year, Sterling's total crime rate decreased by 12.1%, with violent crime declining 8%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Sterling Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 46 | 319.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 3 | 20.8 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 14 | 97.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 20.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 26 | 180.6 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 192 | 1,333.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 48 | 333.3 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 121 | 840.3 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 23 | 159.7 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Sterling vs Illinois Average
How does Sterling's crime rate compare to the Illinois state average?
| Metric | Sterling | Illinois Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 319.4 | 356.4 | -10.4% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,333.3 | 2,126.5 | -37.3% |
| Murder Rate | 20.8 | 7.9 | +164.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,652.8 | 2,482.9 | -33.4% |
Sterling Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Sterling, Illinois.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14,400 | 1,652.8 | 319.4 | 1,333.3 |
| 2022 | 14,681 | 1,880.0 | 347.4 | 1,532.6 |
| 2020 | 14,361 | 3,537.4 | 264.6 | 3,272.8 |
| 2019 | 14,510 | 3,563.1 | 179.2 | 3,383.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sterling, Illinois safe?
Sterling has a safety score of 51/100, meaning it has less crime than about 51% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,652.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Sterling is about average for a US city.
What is the crime rate in Sterling, Illinois?
According to FBI data for 2024, Sterling has a violent crime rate of 319.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,333.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Sterling compare to the national average?
Sterling's total crime rate of 1,652.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 14,400 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Sterling?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Sterling include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Sterling safe to visit?
Like any city, Sterling has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 51/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.