Charleston, IL Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 79% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Charleston Safe?
Yes — Charleston is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Charleston has a crime rate that is 42% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 431.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 431
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
39% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 77
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
29% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Charleston Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Charleston Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Charleston Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Charleston zip codes.
Charleston Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Charleston, IL?
Charleston, IL has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 42% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 431 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 77 chance for property crime. Charleston has lower crime than 79% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Charleston, IL safe to live in?
Charleston is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Charleston is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Charleston?
The estimated violent crime rate in Charleston is 232.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 39% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 431 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.2 per 100K (36% below average); aggravated assault at 152.6 per 100K (43% below average); robbery at 52.7 per 100K (29% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Charleston?
The estimated property crime rate in Charleston is 1,298.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 29% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 77 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 154.8 per 100K (43% below average); larceny/theft at 930.4 per 100K (34% below average); vehicle theft at 213.2 per 100K (33% below average).
How does Charleston crime compare to the national average?
Charleston's overall crime rate is 42% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (29% below average), while assault is 43% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Charleston has lower crime than 79% of them.
Is Charleston safe to visit?
Charleston is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 29% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Charleston crime compare to the rest of Illinois?
Illinois as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. Charleston's crime rate is 42% below the national average, making it safer the typical Illinois city.
What type of crime is most common in Charleston?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Charleston, with an estimated rate of 930.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 34% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,298 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (232 per 100K) in Charleston, which is consistent with national trends.