Des Plaines, IL Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 64% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Des Plaines Safe?
Yes — Des Plaines has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Des Plaines has a crime rate that is 31% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 293.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 293
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
10% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 59
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
7% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Des Plaines 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
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
80 | -20% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
112 | +12% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
124 | +24% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Des Plaines Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Des Plaines Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Des Plaines zip codes.
Des Plaines Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Des Plaines, IL?
Des Plaines, IL has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 31% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 293 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 59 chance for property crime. Des Plaines has lower crime than 64% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Des Plaines, IL safe to live in?
Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Des Plaines?
The estimated violent crime rate in Des Plaines is 341.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 10% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 293 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.6 per 100K (27% below average); aggravated assault at 214.0 per 100K (20% below average); robbery at 82.5 per 100K (12% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Des Plaines?
The estimated property crime rate in Des Plaines is 1,696.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 7% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 59 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 204.5 per 100K (24% below average); larceny/theft at 1,244.3 per 100K (11% below average); vehicle theft at 248.0 per 100K (22% below average).
How does Des Plaines crime compare to the national average?
Des Plaines's overall crime rate is 31% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (24% above average), while murder is 27% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Des Plaines has lower crime than 64% of them.
Is Des Plaines safe to visit?
Des Plaines is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 7% 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 Des Plaines crime compare to the rest of Illinois?
Illinois as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. Des Plaines's crime rate is 31% below the national average, making it safer the typical Illinois city.
What type of crime is most common in Des Plaines?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Des Plaines, with an estimated rate of 1,244.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 11% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,697 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (342 per 100K) in Des Plaines, which is consistent with national trends.