Is Chicago or Lemars Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lemars is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 74/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,017 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 75% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lemars has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 248.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lemars — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Lemars, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Lemars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,016.6 | +2,995.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 94.1 | +445.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 18.8 | -1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 9.4 | +49.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 9.4 | +325.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 56.5 | +71.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 922.4 | +2,550.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 47.1 | +247.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 809.5 | +1,509.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 65.9 | +793.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Lemars safer?
Lemars is safer with a total crime rate of 1,017 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Lemars has 94.1. Lemars has lower violent crime.
About Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Lemars, IA
Le Mars, "Ice Cream Capital of the World," is a Plymouth County city of around 10,000 residents in northwest Iowa. It's home to Wells Enterprises, the largest family-owned ice cream manufacturer globally. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 10,624, Lemars has a total crime rate of 1,016.6 per 100,000 residents.