Waterloo, IL Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 98% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Waterloo Safe?
Yes — Waterloo is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Waterloo has a crime rate that is 52% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 513.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 513
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
49% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 123
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
56% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Waterloo 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
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
38 | -62% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
40 | -60% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Waterloo Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Waterloo Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Waterloo zip codes.
Waterloo Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Waterloo, IL?
Waterloo, 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 513 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 123 chance for property crime. Waterloo has lower crime than 98% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Waterloo, IL safe to live in?
Waterloo 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 Waterloo is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Waterloo?
The estimated violent crime rate in Waterloo is 195.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 49% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 513 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.5 per 100K (49% below average); aggravated assault at 140.0 per 100K (48% below average); robbery at 34.3 per 100K (54% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Waterloo?
The estimated property crime rate in Waterloo is 814.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 56% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 123 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 103.5 per 100K (62% below average); larceny/theft at 559.4 per 100K (60% below average); vehicle theft at 151.7 per 100K (52% below average).
How does Waterloo crime compare to the national average?
Waterloo's overall crime rate is 52% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (46% below average), while burglary is 62% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Waterloo has lower crime than 98% of them.
Is Waterloo safe to visit?
Waterloo is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 56% 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 Waterloo crime compare to the rest of Illinois?
Illinois as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. Waterloo's crime rate is 52% below the national average, making it safer the typical Illinois city.
What type of crime is most common in Waterloo?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Waterloo, with an estimated rate of 559.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 60% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (815 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (195 per 100K) in Waterloo, which is consistent with national trends.