Highland Park, IL Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Highland Park, IL

Is Highland Park safe?

Yes — Highland Park earns an overall crime grade of A, placing it among the safest communities in the Chicago metropolitan area. The city's low poverty rate of 4.6% and high median household income of $147,067 are both strongly associated with lower crime environments. Violent crime is rare, and property crime incidents — while they do occur — are well below national suburban averages. Active neighborhood associations, a well-funded police department, and high community engagement all contribute to Highland Park's consistently strong safety record. Families, retirees, and professionals regularly cite safety as one of the top reasons they choose to live here.

What is the crime rate in Highland Park?

Highland Park's overall crime grade is an A, reflecting a crime environment that is significantly safer than the U.S. average. The city's demographic profile supports this: with a median household income of $147,067, a poverty rate of just 4.6%, and an unemployment rate of 4.1%, Highland Park has the socioeconomic indicators most closely linked to low crime rates. Property crimes such as theft and vehicle break-ins represent the most common incident types reported on the city's crime map, while violent crimes remain exceptionally infrequent. Residents can use the interactive crime map on this page to review incident type breakdowns and identify any localized trends by neighborhood.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Highland Park?

Highland Park's overall A crime grade means that safety is high across the city, but certain areas stand out for their particularly quiet records. The lakefront corridor near downtown — including areas adjacent to Rosewood Beach and Millard Park — benefits from high foot traffic, well-lit public spaces, and strong community visibility, all of which deter opportunistic crime. The Indian Hills neighborhood, situated in the northern part of the city, is characterized by lower population density and well-maintained residential streets that historically see minimal incident reports. The Deerfield border areas in the south also tend to show low activity on the crime map. When reviewing the map, look for clusters of incidents near higher-traffic commercial corridors, which is where the small share of property crimes tends to concentrate.

Is Highland Park a good place to live?

By nearly every measurable standard, Highland Park ranks as an excellent place to live. It holds an overall crime grade of A, a median home value of $534,967, and a median household income of $147,067 — all well above Illinois and national benchmarks. The unemployment rate of 4.1% signals a stable local economy, and the poverty rate of 4.6% is among the lowest in Lake County. With a population of roughly 29,596 spread across a relatively low-density footprint of 933 residents per square mile, the city maintains a spacious, suburban feel without sacrificing access to cultural amenities, top-rated schools, and Chicago's broader metro economy. For buyers and renters alike — median rent sits at $1,666 — Highland Park offers a rare combination of safety, prosperity, and quality of life.

How does Highland Park's crime grade compare to nearby suburbs?

Highland Park's A overall crime grade puts it in the top tier of North Shore and Lake County suburbs. Communities with comparable income and density profiles — such as Deerfield and Lake Forest — tend to share similar grades, but Highland Park's combination of a 4.6% poverty rate, 4.1% unemployment, and active community policing gives it a consistently strong standing. It outperforms many Chicago suburbs that earn B or C grades due to higher poverty rates or denser commercial activity. For prospective residents comparing options along the North Shore, Highland Park's data profile makes a compelling case for both safety and long-term property value stability.

What types of crimes are most common in Highland Park?

Based on incident data reflected in the Highland Park crime map, property crimes account for the overwhelming majority of reported incidents. Theft — including retail theft and motor vehicle theft — and vandalism are the most frequently logged categories. Burglary reports are relatively rare given the city's affluence and low population density of 933 people per square mile. Violent crimes such as assault or robbery represent a very small fraction of total incidents and are well below state averages, consistent with the city's A overall crime grade. Residents in neighborhoods near higher-traffic commercial zones along Skokie Valley Road and Central Avenue should remain most attentive to property crime prevention, such as securing vehicles and enabling home security systems.