Is Downers Grove or Waukesha Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Downers Grove is safer than Waukesha (Safety Score 75/100 vs 75/100), with a total crime rate of 985 per 100,000 versus 990 for Waukesha — 1% lower. Downers Grove has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Waukesha has a 30% lower rate.
Downers Grove — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Waukesha — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Downers Grove, IL
Waukesha, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Downers Grove | Waukesha | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 984.5 | 990.0 | -5.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 113.0 | 115.4 | -2.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 1.4 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 36.3 | 28.5 | +7.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.1 | 7.1 | +1.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 66.6 | 76.9 | -10.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 871.6 | 874.6 | -3.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 135.2 | 51.3 | +83.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 647.6 | 767.8 | -120.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 88.8 | 55.6 | +33.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downers Grove or Waukesha safer?
Downers Grove is safer with a total crime rate of 985 per 100K vs 990 for Waukesha — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Downers Grove has a violent crime rate of 113.0 per 100K while Waukesha has 115.4. Downers Grove has lower violent crime.
About Downers Grove, IL
Downers Grove, a Chicago suburb, was founded by Stephen Downer in 1832. This affluent village in DuPage County is known for its historic Tivoli Theatre and proximity to major expressways. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 49,567, Downers Grove has a total crime rate of 984.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Waukesha, WI
Waukesha, once known as "Spa City" for its spring waters, is a city in southeastern Wisconsin. It serves as the county seat and is home to Carroll University. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 70,202, Waukesha has a total crime rate of 990.0 per 100,000 residents.