Vernon Hills, IL Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Vernon Hills, IL

Is Vernon Hills, IL safe?

Vernon Hills earns an overall crime grade of B-, placing it among the safer suburbs in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. With a population of roughly 26,400 and a population density of 1,316 residents per square mile, the village maintains a relatively low-crime environment backed by strong socioeconomic indicators. The unemployment rate sits at just 3.2% — well below national averages — and the poverty rate is only 6.5%, both of which are strongly correlated with reduced crime levels. Active community policing and engaged neighborhood watch programs further contribute to the village's safety reputation. While no community is entirely free of crime, Vernon Hills consistently outperforms many comparable Illinois suburbs on safety metrics.

What is the crime rate in Vernon Hills?

Vernon Hills holds a B- overall crime grade for 2026, reflecting a community that experiences crime at rates meaningfully below state and national averages. The village's median household income of $100,725 and median home value of $343,228 signal a stable, prosperous community where property crime — the most commonly reported category — tends to involve lower-stakes incidents such as retail theft and vehicle break-ins rather than violent offenses. Violent crime remains rare relative to Illinois benchmarks. The combination of a low poverty rate (6.5%) and low unemployment (3.2%) creates conditions that research consistently links to suppressed crime rates. Residents can consult the Vernon Hills crime map for current incident breakdowns by type and location.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Vernon Hills?

Vernon Hills is a relatively compact village — approximately 20 square miles — and safety levels are broadly consistent across its residential areas. Established neighborhoods near Hawthorn Woods Country Club and the residential corridors along Butterfield Road tend to report fewer incidents, benefiting from higher owner-occupancy rates and active homeowner associations. Areas adjacent to Hawthorn Center and major retail corridors see a higher proportion of property crime incidents, consistent with patterns seen in commercial zones nationwide, where vehicle break-ins and retail theft account for a disproportionate share of reported offenses. Prospective residents should use the Vernon Hills crime map to compare specific zones, filtering by incident type — property vs. violent — to identify the neighborhood profile that best fits their priorities.

Is Vernon Hills a good place to live?

By nearly every measurable indicator, Vernon Hills ranks as a strong choice for families and professionals. The village's B- crime grade pairs with a median household income of $100,725, a median home value of $343,228, and a median rent of $1,672 — figures that reflect a community offering genuine value relative to the Chicago metro's higher-cost neighborhoods. The 3.2% unemployment rate and 6.5% poverty rate are both well below Illinois averages, underpinning long-term neighborhood stability. Residents benefit from highly rated schools, proximity to major employers along the Route 45 and I-94 corridors, and abundant parkland. When weighed against its crime grade and economic profile, Vernon Hills consistently emerges as one of Lake County's most livable communities.

How does Vernon Hills' crime grade compare to nearby suburbs?

Vernon Hills' B- overall crime grade positions it favorably among Lake County suburbs. Communities with similar population sizes and density profiles often score in the C range when accounting for both property and violent crime indices. Vernon Hills benefits from above-average household income — $100,725 median — which correlates with higher rates of home security investment and lower rates of opportunistic property crime. Its low poverty rate of 6.5% also compares well against the Illinois statewide poverty rate, which hovers closer to 11–12%, a gap that meaningfully influences crime frequency. For side-by-side comparisons with neighboring communities like Libertyville, Mundelein, or Buffalo Grove, the DoorProfit crime map tool allows filtering by grade, incident type, and time period.

What types of crime are most common in Vernon Hills?

In Vernon Hills, property crime consistently accounts for the large majority of reported incidents, with theft — including retail theft from the Hawthorn Center area and vehicle break-ins in parking lots — representing the most frequent offense category. This pattern is typical of prosperous suburban communities where violent crime rates are low but commercial activity creates concentrations of opportunity-based property offenses. Violent crimes such as aggravated assault and robbery are reported at rates well below Illinois averages, consistent with the village's B- crime grade and its strong economic profile. Vandalism and motor vehicle theft round out the most commonly reported categories. Residents can use the Vernon Hills crime map to filter incidents by type, helping distinguish between commercial-zone property crime and activity in purely residential corridors.