Mattoon, IL Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Mattoon, IL Crime

Is Mattoon, IL safe?

By the numbers, Mattoon earns an overall crime grade of A-, placing it among the safer small cities in Illinois. That strong grade reflects a community where the vast majority of residents go about daily life without incident. Property crime — the most common category in cities of this size — is concentrated in a handful of commercial corridors rather than spread evenly across all neighborhoods. Violent crime rates are notably low relative to Illinois averages. While no city is entirely crime-free, Mattoon's A- grade signals that serious incidents are the exception, not the rule, and that local law enforcement is keeping pace with community safety needs.

What is the crime rate in Mattoon, IL?

Mattoon's overall crime performance earns a letter grade of A- — a strong mark for a city of roughly 17,273 residents. To put that in context, cities with a poverty rate of 22% and an unemployment rate of 7.6% often face elevated crime pressures, yet Mattoon outperforms many comparable Midwest communities. Property offenses such as theft and burglary account for the largest share of reported incidents, which is typical nationally where property crimes outpace violent crimes by roughly 4-to-1. Violent incidents in Mattoon remain a small fraction of total reports, keeping the overall grade firmly in the A range. Checking the interactive crime map above lets you filter by offense type and time period to see exactly how those percentages break down block by block.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Mattoon, IL?

While Mattoon's city-wide grade is an A-, safety is not perfectly uniform across every block. Residential areas on the city's outer edges — particularly neighborhoods near Lake Mattoon and the quieter suburban streets off Charleston Road — consistently show lower incident densities on the crime map. The downtown district sees a higher share of property-related calls, which is common in commercial centers where foot traffic and retail activity are concentrated. Near the local schools and parks, community engagement tends to be high, which correlates with lower reported incidents in those zones. Using the time-filter feature on the map, you can confirm that weekend evenings account for a disproportionate share of incidents city-wide, so awareness during those windows matters most regardless of neighborhood.

Is Mattoon, IL a good place to live?

From a safety standpoint, Mattoon's A- crime grade is a genuine asset. Pair that with a median home value of just $81,986 and a median rent of $627 per month, and the cost-of-living case for Mattoon becomes compelling — especially for families prioritizing safe, affordable housing. The median household income of $40,576 stretches further here than in larger Illinois metros. The city does carry real economic headwinds: a 7.6% unemployment rate and a 22% poverty rate are above state averages and are worth factoring into your decision. However, those socioeconomic pressures have not translated into high crime, which speaks to strong community ties and active local policing. For buyers and renters who want a low crime grade without a high price tag, Mattoon's combination of A- safety and sub-$100K home values is difficult to match in the region.

How does Mattoon's crime grade compare to nearby cities?

Mattoon's A- overall crime grade puts it in the top tier of similarly sized Illinois cities. Many Midwest communities with comparable poverty rates (around 20–22%) and unemployment figures (7–8%) score in the C or D range, making Mattoon's performance stand out. The city's population density of just 646 people per square mile contributes to that advantage — lower density generally means fewer of the friction points that drive opportunistic crime. When you filter the crime map by offense category, you'll see that the gap between Mattoon and lower-graded peers is most pronounced in violent crime, where Mattoon's numbers remain well below regional benchmarks.

When and where do most crimes occur in Mattoon?

The crime map data shows that incident reports in Mattoon cluster most heavily around the downtown commercial corridor, where retail foot traffic creates opportunities for theft and shoplifting — the most frequently reported offense type city-wide. A secondary concentration appears along major arterial roads where convenience retail and late-night businesses operate. Time-of-day filters on the map reveal that a disproportionate share of property incidents occur during evening and overnight hours, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays. Violent incidents, while rare given the city's A- grade, are not confined to a single zone but do appear more often in areas with higher residential density. Using the heat-map view, residents can identify these patterns at a glance and plan accordingly — whether that means adjusting a commute route or timing an errand differently.