Palos Heights, IL Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Palos Heights Safe?
Yes — Palos Heights is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Palos Heights has a crime rate that is 52% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 156.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 156
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
68% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 46
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
19% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Palos Heights 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
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
154 | +54% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
201 | +101% | High | |
|
Rape
|
226 | +126% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
120 | +20% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
106 | +6% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Palos Heights Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Palos Heights Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Palos Heights zip codes.
Palos Heights Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Palos Heights, IL?
Palos Heights, IL has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 52% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 156 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 46 chance for property crime. Palos Heights has lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Palos Heights, IL safe to live in?
Palos Heights is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Palos Heights is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Palos Heights?
The estimated violent crime rate in Palos Heights is 640.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 68% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 156 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.2 per 100K (57% below average); aggravated assault at 414.1 per 100K (54% above average); robbery at 148.5 per 100K (101% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Palos Heights?
The estimated property crime rate in Palos Heights is 2,189.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 19% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 46 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 174.7 per 100K (35% below average); larceny/theft at 1,675.8 per 100K (20% above average); vehicle theft at 338.8 per 100K (6% above average).
How does Palos Heights crime compare to the national average?
Palos Heights's overall crime rate is 52% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (126% above average), while murder is 57% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Palos Heights has lower crime than 97% of them.
Is Palos Heights safe to visit?
Palos Heights is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 19% 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 Palos Heights crime compare to the rest of Illinois?
Illinois as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. Palos Heights's crime rate is 52% below the national average, making it safer the typical Illinois city.
What type of crime is most common in Palos Heights?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Palos Heights, with an estimated rate of 1,675.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 20% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,189 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (641 per 100K) in Palos Heights, which is consistent with national trends.