Violent
Property
Total
Waukegan, IL Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 87,155
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Waukegan, Illinois Safe?
Waukegan has a safety score of 62/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,059.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Waukegan ranks #137 out of 184 cities in Illinois and #1823 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 39th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 61% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Waukegan is rape, at 88.4 per 100K — 2.0x the national average. Conversely, larceny-theft is relatively low at just 0.5x the national rate.
Year over year, Waukegan's total crime rate increased by 40.4%, with violent crime rising 22%.
Waukegan Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 388 | 445.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 5 | 5.7 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 77 | 88.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 53 | 60.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 253 | 290.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,407 | 1,614.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 236 | 270.8 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 714 | 819.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 457 | 524.4 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Waukegan vs Illinois Average
How does Waukegan's crime rate compare to the Illinois state average?
| Metric | Waukegan | Illinois Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 445.2 | 356.4 | +24.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,614.4 | 2,126.5 | -24.1% |
| Murder Rate | 5.7 | 7.9 | -27.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,059.6 | 2,482.9 | -17.0% |
Waukegan Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Waukegan, Illinois.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 87,155 | 2,059.6 | 445.2 | 1,614.4 |
| 2023 | 87,412 | 1,466.6 | 364.9 | 1,101.7 |
| 2022 | 88,073 | 159.0 | 40.9 | 118.1 |
| 2020 | 85,739 | 2,011.9 | 368.6 | 1,643.4 |
| 2019 | 86,505 | 2,612.6 | 382.6 | 2,229.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waukegan, Illinois safe?
Waukegan has a safety score of 62/100. With a total crime rate of 2,059.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Waukegan is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Waukegan, Illinois?
According to FBI data for 2024, Waukegan has a violent crime rate of 445.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,614.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Waukegan compare to the national average?
Waukegan's total crime rate of 2,059.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 87,155.
What types of crime are most common in Waukegan?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Waukegan include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Waukegan safe to visit?
Like any city, Waukegan has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 62/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.