River Forest, IL Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 90% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is River Forest Safe?
Yes — River Forest is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
River Forest has a crime rate that is 48% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 262.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 262
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
0% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 50
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
9% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
River Forest 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
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
107 | +7% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
115 | +15% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
109 | +9% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
99 | -1% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
River Forest Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
River Forest Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific River Forest zip codes.
River Forest Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in River Forest, IL?
River Forest, IL has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 48% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 262 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 50 chance for property crime. River Forest has lower crime than 90% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is River Forest, IL safe to live in?
River Forest 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 River Forest is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in River Forest?
The estimated violent crime rate in River Forest is 381.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 0% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 262 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.8 per 100K (45% below average); aggravated assault at 288.2 per 100K (7% above average); robbery at 51.5 per 100K (30% below average).
What is the property crime rate in River Forest?
The estimated property crime rate in River Forest is 2,002.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 9% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 50 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 160.6 per 100K (40% below average); larceny/theft at 1,526.8 per 100K (9% above average); vehicle theft at 314.8 per 100K (1% below average).
How does River Forest crime compare to the national average?
River Forest's overall crime rate is 48% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (15% above average), while murder is 45% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, River Forest has lower crime than 90% of them.
Is River Forest safe to visit?
River Forest is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 9% 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 River Forest crime compare to the rest of Illinois?
Illinois as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. River Forest's crime rate is 48% below the national average, making it safer the typical Illinois city.
What type of crime is most common in River Forest?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in River Forest, with an estimated rate of 1,526.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 9% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,002 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (381 per 100K) in River Forest, which is consistent with national trends.