Sterling, IL Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 63% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Sterling Safe?
Yes — Sterling has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Sterling has a crime rate that is 31% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 384.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 384
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
32% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 64
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
15% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Sterling 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
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
81 | -19% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Sterling Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Sterling Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Sterling zip codes.
Sterling Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Sterling, IL?
Sterling, 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 384 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 64 chance for property crime. Sterling has lower crime than 63% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Sterling, IL safe to live in?
Sterling 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 Sterling is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Sterling?
The estimated violent crime rate in Sterling is 260.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 32% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 384 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.6 per 100K (29% below average); aggravated assault at 189.3 per 100K (29% below average); robbery at 43.7 per 100K (41% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Sterling?
The estimated property crime rate in Sterling is 1,559.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 15% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 64 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 168.7 per 100K (37% below average); larceny/theft at 1,142.1 per 100K (19% below average); vehicle theft at 248.7 per 100K (22% below average).
How does Sterling crime compare to the national average?
Sterling's overall crime rate is 31% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (19% below average), while robbery is 41% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Sterling has lower crime than 63% of them.
Is Sterling safe to visit?
Sterling is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 15% 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 Sterling crime compare to the rest of Illinois?
Illinois as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. Sterling's crime rate is 31% below the national average, making it safer the typical Illinois city.
What type of crime is most common in Sterling?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Sterling, with an estimated rate of 1,142.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 19% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,560 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (260 per 100K) in Sterling, which is consistent with national trends.