Kankakee, IL Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 92% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Kankakee Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Kankakee has a crime rate that is 72% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 157.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 157
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
68% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 27
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
102% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Kankakee 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
|
170 | +70% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
173 | +73% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
153 | +53% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
156 | +56% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
152 | +52% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
191 | +91% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
193 | +93% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Kankakee Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Kankakee Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Kankakee zip codes.
Kankakee Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Kankakee, IL?
Kankakee, IL has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 72% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 157 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 27 chance for property crime. Kankakee has higher crime than 92% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Kankakee, IL safe to live in?
Kankakee has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Kankakee is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Kankakee?
The estimated violent crime rate in Kankakee is 638.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 68% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 157 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.5 per 100K (70% above average); aggravated assault at 463.9 per 100K (73% above average); robbery at 113.3 per 100K (53% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Kankakee?
The estimated property crime rate in Kankakee is 3,706.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 102% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 27 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 410.1 per 100K (52% above average); larceny/theft at 2,682.2 per 100K (91% above average); vehicle theft at 614.1 per 100K (93% above average).
How does Kankakee crime compare to the national average?
Kankakee's overall crime rate is 72% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (93% above average), while burglary is 52% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Kankakee has higher crime than 92% of them.
Is Kankakee safe to visit?
Visitors to Kankakee should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 102% above 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 Kankakee crime compare to the rest of Illinois?
Illinois as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. Kankakee's crime rate is 72% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Illinois city.
What type of crime is most common in Kankakee?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Kankakee, with an estimated rate of 2,682.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 91% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,706 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (638 per 100K) in Kankakee, which is consistent with national trends.