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Chicago vs South Elgin Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Chicago crime rate · South Elgin crime rate

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Is Chicago or South Elgin Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, South Elgin is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 80/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 856 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 79% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where South Elgin has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 108.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Chicago, IL?

Chicago — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

South Elgin — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL
Safety Score 8/100
Coverage 2,638,698
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2
Category Wins 0/7

South Elgin, IL

South Elgin, IL
Safety Score 80/100
Coverage 24,420
Total Crime Rate 855.9
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago South Elgin Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 855.9 +3,156.4
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 188.4 +351.5
Murder Rate 17.5 0.0 +17.5
Rape Rate 58.8 53.2 +5.5
Robbery Rate 335.3 8.2 +327.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 127.0 +1.4
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 667.5 +2,804.9
Burglary Rate 294.8 90.1 +204.7
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 495.5 +1,823.3
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 81.9 +777.0

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Chicago, IL to South Elgin, IL?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago or South Elgin safer?

South Elgin is safer with a total crime rate of 856 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 79% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while South Elgin has 188.4. South Elgin 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 South Elgin, IL

South Elgin, a village along the Fox River in Kane County, was once home to the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin Railroad's main shops. Its population of over 23,000 residents enjoys a mix of suburban development and natural areas. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 24,420, South Elgin has a total crime rate of 855.9 per 100,000 residents.

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