Rockford, IL Crime Rate & Safety

Rockford, IL has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 11% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 229 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 41 chance for property crime. Rockford has higher crime than 73% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Rockford has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. Approximately 86% of the city's 95 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Jefferson Ridge is one of the safest areas, while Riverview has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Rockford is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Rockford are Jefferson Ridge, Maplewood, CMC, Spring Lake, and Tower Hill Estates. 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 Rockford include Riverview, Coronado Haskell, ORCHiD 3rd Union College, Central Park, and Take It Back. 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 Rockford is 436.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 15% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 229 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.6 per 100K (12% above average); aggravated assault at 317.1 per 100K (18% above average); robbery at 77.7 per 100K (5% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Rockford is 2,457.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 41 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 286.2 per 100K (6% above average); larceny/theft at 1,784.8 per 100K (27% above average); vehicle theft at 386.5 per 100K (21% above average).

Rockford's overall crime rate is 11% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (27% above average), while robbery is 5% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Rockford has higher crime than 73% of them.

Visitors to Rockford should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 34% 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 Jefferson Ridge, Maplewood, CMC.

Illinois as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. Rockford's crime rate is 11% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Illinois city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Rockford, with an estimated rate of 1,784.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 27% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,458 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (437 per 100K) in Rockford, which is consistent with national trends.