Lincolnwood, IL Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Lincolnwood, IL

What is Lincolnwood's overall crime grade?

Lincolnwood earns an overall crime grade of C+ for 2026. That places it in the middle tier — meaningfully safer than many comparable suburbs bordering Chicago, but not quite at the top of the range. For context, a C+ reflects a community where property crime is the dominant concern while serious violent offenses remain relatively infrequent. Residents living near the Lincolnwood Town Center corridor or along Devon Avenue will find conditions that align closely with that grade, while quieter residential pockets near Indian Boundary Park tend to feel noticeably calmer day-to-day.

Is Lincolnwood safe to live in?

By most measures, yes. Lincolnwood's poverty rate of 5.4% and median household income of $90,422 are both strong indicators that correlate with lower crime pressure. Research consistently links higher community income and lower poverty to reduced rates of both property and violent crime. The city's population density of 1,769 people per square mile is moderate — dense enough to support active streets and natural surveillance, but not so dense that anonymity becomes a safety issue. That said, the C+ overall grade is a reminder to stay alert, particularly regarding vehicle break-ins and opportunistic theft, which represent the most commonly reported incident types in the area.

What types of crime are most common in Lincolnwood?

Property crime is the dominant category in Lincolnwood, consistent with suburban communities at this income and density level. Theft — including shoplifting near retail corridors like Lincolnwood Town Center and vehicle theft or break-ins on residential streets — accounts for the largest share of reported incidents. Vandalism and minor public disturbances are the next most frequent categories. Violent crimes such as assault are reported at substantially lower rates and tend to be isolated rather than concentrated in any single neighborhood. The overall C+ grade reflects this profile: a community where protecting your property is the primary safety consideration, not personal safety in the street-level sense.

How does Lincolnwood's crime rate compare to nearby areas?

Lincolnwood's C+ crime grade positions it competitively within the northern Chicago suburbs. Its median home value of $396,449 and median household income of $90,422 are both well above state and national medians, which tends to correlate with lower crime exposure compared to lower-income municipalities. Compared to Chicago itself, Lincolnwood's crime profile is considerably more favorable, particularly for violent crime. Among peer suburbs of similar size (population approximately 12,338), Lincolnwood sits roughly in the middle — better than several but with room to improve toward an A or B range grade.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Lincolnwood?

Lincolnwood is a relatively compact city, so neighborhood-level variation is less dramatic than in larger municipalities. That said, the residential streets surrounding Indian Boundary Park and the quieter blocks near Touhy Avenue west of the commercial corridor tend to report fewer incidents. Areas immediately adjacent to major retail zones — particularly around Lincolnwood Town Center — see higher concentrations of property crime simply due to foot traffic and retail density. Families prioritizing the lowest possible crime exposure within Lincolnwood typically gravitate toward the tree-lined interior residential streets rather than the busier commercial edges of town.

Is the unemployment rate in Lincolnwood a safety concern?

Lincolnwood's unemployment rate of 6.3% is slightly above recent national averages, which is worth noting since economists identify unemployment as a modest predictor of property crime rates. However, this figure is offset by the city's low poverty rate of 5.4% and high median income — suggesting that unemployment here is more likely transitional (job-switching, early retirement, or short-term gaps) rather than structural economic distress. The combination of those factors helps explain why the crime grade remains a C+ rather than dropping lower, and why the community continues to attract residents willing to pay a median rent of $2,195 and a median home value near $400,000.

Is Lincolnwood a good place to buy a home from a safety standpoint?

For most buyers, Lincolnwood's safety profile supports a positive investment decision. The C+ crime grade is not a red flag — it signals a community that is actively managed and relatively stable, not one in decline. The median home value of $396,449 reflects genuine market demand, and the 5.4% poverty rate indicates the kind of economic stability that tends to sustain property values over time. Prospective buyers should factor in the higher property crime rate near commercial corridors when choosing a specific block, and consider homes with good lighting, garage parking, and proximity to active neighborhood watch programs. The Lincolnwood Police Department's community engagement resources are a practical starting point for due diligence before purchasing.