Is Aurora or Wood River Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aurora is safer than Wood River (Safety Score 54/100 vs 41/100), with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100,000 versus 1,987 for Wood River — 21% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wood River has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Aurora is 16.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Aurora — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wood River — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, IL
Wood River, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | Wood River | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,573.4 | 1,987.1 | -413.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.7 | 274.1 | +2.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 0.0 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.6 | 107.7 | -49.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 29.4 | +8.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 178.8 | 137.0 | +41.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,296.7 | 1,713.0 | -416.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.6 | 391.5 | -128.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 765.6 | 1,204.0 | -438.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.5 | 117.5 | +151.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or Wood River safer?
Aurora is safer with a total crime rate of 1,573 per 100K vs 1,987 for Wood River — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 276.7 per 100K while Wood River has 274.1. Wood River has lower violent crime.
About Aurora, IL
Aurora, Illinois, "City of Lights," was the first in the U.S. to light its streets with electricity. Situated along the Fox River, it's the second-most populous city in Illinois. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 170,585, Aurora has a total crime rate of 1,573.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Wood River, IL
Wood River, Illinois, a city in Madison County, was founded in 1907 due to the growth of the Standard Oil refinery. Situated along the Mississippi River, its population is approximately 10,000 residents. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 10,216, Wood River has a total crime rate of 1,987.1 per 100,000 residents.