Is Decatur or Dekalb Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dekalb is safer than Decatur (Safety Score 21/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 2,907 per 100,000 versus 2,916 for Decatur — 0% lower. Decatur has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dekalb has a 100% lower rate.
Decatur — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dekalb — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Decatur, AL
Dekalb, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Decatur | Dekalb | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,915.5 | 2,907.4 | +8.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 606.7 | 393.0 | +213.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.5 | 0.0 | +8.5 |
| Rape Rate | 54.7 | 151.7 | -97.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.4 | 34.8 | +9.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 499.0 | 206.4 | +292.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,308.9 | 2,514.4 | -205.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 193.1 | 338.2 | -145.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,833.8 | 2,124.0 | -290.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 282.0 | 52.2 | +229.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Decatur or Dekalb safer?
Dekalb is safer with a total crime rate of 2,907 per 100K vs 2,916 for Decatur — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Decatur has a violent crime rate of 606.7 per 100K while Dekalb has 393.0. Dekalb has lower violent crime.
About Decatur, AL
Decatur, "The River City," sits on the Tennessee River in Morgan County. This North Alabama city, historically a railroad hub, is now home to a diverse population of over 55,000 residents. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 58,514, Decatur has a total crime rate of 2,915.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Dekalb, IL
DeKalb, Illinois, home to Northern Illinois University, is a city in DeKalb County, about 65 miles west of Chicago. It's known as the "Barb City" due to Joseph Glidden's invention of barbed wire here. The population is diverse, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 40,208, Dekalb has a total crime rate of 2,907.4 per 100,000 residents.