Is Dekalb or Fort Worth Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dekalb is safer than Fort Worth (Safety Score 21/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,907 per 100,000 versus 3,158 for Fort Worth — 8% lower. Dekalb has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dekalb has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Fort Worth is 24.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dekalb — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Worth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dekalb, IL
Fort Worth, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dekalb | Fort Worth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,907.4 | 3,158.5 | -251.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 393.0 | 458.7 | -65.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.4 | -7.4 |
| Rape Rate | 151.7 | 55.2 | +96.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 34.8 | 72.6 | -37.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 206.4 | 323.1 | -116.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,514.4 | 2,699.8 | -185.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 338.2 | 344.6 | -6.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,124.0 | 1,841.9 | +282.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 52.2 | 513.4 | -461.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dekalb or Fort Worth safer?
Dekalb is safer with a total crime rate of 2,907 per 100K vs 3,158 for Fort Worth — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dekalb has a violent crime rate of 393.0 per 100K while Fort Worth has 458.7. Dekalb has lower violent crime.
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.
About Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth, a city where the West begins, boasts a rich cattle drive history evident in the Stockyards National Historic District. Located in North Central Texas, it's a populous city within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 997,476, Fort Worth has a total crime rate of 3,158.5 per 100,000 residents.