Rock Island, IL Crime Rate & Safety

Rock Island, IL has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 1% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 252 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 46 chance for property crime. Rock Island has higher crime than 68% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Rock Island has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. Approximately 71% of the city's 21 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Blackhawk is one of the safest areas, while Sunset Business Park has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Rock Island is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Rock Island are Blackhawk, Saukie, College Circle, 45th Street, and Southwest. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Rock Island include Sunset Business Park, Downtown Rock Island, Douglas Park, Rock Riverfront, and Longview. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Rock Island is 396.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 4% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 252 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.0 per 100K (0% below average); aggravated assault at 296.2 per 100K (10% above average); robbery at 60.9 per 100K (18% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Rock Island is 2,177.0 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 254.0 per 100K (6% below average); larceny/theft at 1,573.8 per 100K (12% above average); vehicle theft at 349.2 per 100K (10% above average).

Rock Island's overall crime rate is 1% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (12% above average), while robbery is 18% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Rock Island has higher crime than 68% of them.

Visitors to Rock Island should take standard urban precautions. 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Blackhawk, Saukie, College Circle.

Illinois as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. Rock Island's crime rate is 1% above the national average, which is roughly in line with the state's overall rate.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Rock Island, with an estimated rate of 1,573.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 12% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,177 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (396 per 100K) in Rock Island, which is consistent with national trends.