Oswego, 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 Oswego Safe?
Yes — Oswego has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Oswego has a crime rate that is 31% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 342.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 342
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
23% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 67
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
19% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Oswego 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
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
86 | -14% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Oswego Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Oswego Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Oswego zip codes.
Oswego Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Oswego, IL?
Oswego, 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 342 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 67 chance for property crime. Oswego has lower crime than 64% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Oswego, IL safe to live in?
Oswego 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 Oswego is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Oswego?
The estimated violent crime rate in Oswego is 292.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 23% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 342 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.4 per 100K (31% below average); aggravated assault at 210.1 per 100K (22% below average); robbery at 49.6 per 100K (33% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Oswego?
The estimated property crime rate in Oswego is 1,492.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 19% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 67 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 196.3 per 100K (27% below average); larceny/theft at 1,064.6 per 100K (24% below average); vehicle theft at 231.9 per 100K (27% below average).
How does Oswego crime compare to the national average?
Oswego's overall crime rate is 31% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (14% below average), while robbery is 33% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Oswego has lower crime than 64% of them.
Is Oswego safe to visit?
Oswego is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 19% 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 Oswego crime compare to the rest of Illinois?
Illinois as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. Oswego's crime rate is 31% below the national average, making it safer the typical Illinois city.
What type of crime is most common in Oswego?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Oswego, with an estimated rate of 1,064.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 24% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,493 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (292 per 100K) in Oswego, which is consistent with national trends.