What Are The 15 Safest Cities In Illinois?

When you consider the stunning Lake Michigan coastline, the sports, the strong economy, the world-class food, and the large cities and small, rural communities, Illinois as a whole is an ideal place to call home. Though, while all cities and towns have their own unique positive attributes, they are not all equal in terms of safety.

This year, Illinois placed second nationwide for a high daily concern over violent crime and in the top ten for the most concerned states for property crime.

Not to mention, Illinois is ninth on the 2021 list of the states with the highest crime rates in the country. However, this does not mean that there aren’t safe areas within the state. Fortunately, the Land of Lincoln is home to a number of safe communities with low crime rates that make them a desirable place to settle down. Based on the most current data from the FBI, the safest cities in Illinois include Campton Hills, Inverness, Hawthorn Woods, Orland Hills, Elburn, Gilberts, Huntley, Lindenhurst, Manhattan, Lakemoor, Homer Glen, Winnetka, Justice, Spring Grove, and Naperville.

So, if you’re looking for a safe place for you and your family to settle down in the Prairie State, you may want to consider one of these areas. With that said, let’s take a deeper look at the top 15 safest cities in Illinois and crime as a whole in the state.

Aside from being ranked highly in terms of concerned states over violent and property crime, statistics show that 8 in 10 people in Illinois are worried about gun violence ( SafeWise). With all these concerns, it’s not shocking to learn that approximately 42% of Illinois residents feel safe in their state. This is very low compared to the national average of 55%. An astonishing 64% in Illinois claim that they have a daily concern for their safety.

This daily concern increased by 36% since the previous year, with violent crime being the biggest worry for those that live in Illinois. Although residents had less personal experience with violent crime over the course of the last year, there was a substantial rise in those who experienced first hand gun violence.

Home to around 11,500 residents, the village of Campton Hills earns the top spot for the third year in a row. Between this year and the previous year, there was virtually no change in the city’s low violent crime rate and only a small increase of 0.1% in terms of property crime. Again, Campton Hills was also the only city in Illinois to report under 10 incidents of property crime.

The village is an upscale community located in Kane County, Illinois. It is a far western suburb of Chicago, surrounded by hills and forests, which makes it an ideal location for those who desire safety and a respite from the hustle and bustle of big city life. Campton Hills has exceptional public schools and numerous recreational, social, and cultural opportunities for residents. Due to the high level of safety and highly rated schools, Campton Hills is a very family-oriented community.

This safe suburban community is located in Cook County, Illinois and is a newcomer on the list of the safest cities for 2021. The village is home to nearly 8,000 people and while it has grown considerably from its origins in the 1800s, it still maintains its natural beauty and rural character.

Inverness is a quiet, stable residential village with appealing homes and numerous parks for all to enjoy. In the past year, the village received no reports of violent crime and only 18 incidents of property crime. This has earned it the second spot on our list of the safest cities in the state of Illinois.

Hawthorn Woods is another newcomer for this year’s list of the safest cities in Illinois. It is also considered a village and is located in Fremont and Ela townships in Lake County. With around 7,500 residents, Hawthorn Woods is a desirable place to live, work, and shop in natural environment among many parks, trees, and lakes. The village is recognized for its gorgeous open spaces and numerous park amenities, as well as excellent schools, great businesses districts, and plentiful professional services.

It is designated as an International Dark Sky Community by the International Dark-Sky Association. The association is dedicated to preserving and protecting our night sky from the negative impacts of artificial light. With this adoption, Hawthorn Woods takes an inclusive approach toward reducing light pollution, sustaining energy, protecting nocturnal wildlife patterns, and upholding public safety.

From 2020 to 2021, the village saw a slight increase in violent crime by 0.2%, but a decrease in property crime of 2.9%. Not only is Hawthorn Woods the third safest city in Illinois, it is also among one of the safest places in the country.

Like Hawthorn Woods and Inverness, Orland Hills (formerly known as Westhaven) is a newcomer on this year’s list of the safest cities in Illinois. Nicknamed “The Best Kept Secret in the Southwest,” the village is located in Cook County and is home to approximately 7,200 people. What was once an isolated subdivision in the middle of farmland over 40 years ago grew to a population of nearly 7,000 by the year 2000.

It is only one and a half square miles and borders Orland Park on the north and the west and Tinley Park to the south and east. This Chicago suburb has highly rated schools and an attentive police force that frequently patrols the community. Not only is Orland Hills one of the safest places in Illinois, it is also one of the best places to live in the state for families.

Located in Kane County, Illinois, Elburn is another village in the Chicago suburbs. Although the village saw an increase in both violent and property crime rates by 0.2% and 1.2% respectively, it still earns the fifth spot on our list of the safest cities in Illinois. Home to almost 6,000 people, Elburn features a commuter rail, annual community events for all ages, numerous shopping and dining opportunities, as well as several parks.

Even though the village has almost 6,000 residents, it still maintains a quaint, small-town feel. Residents are friendly and visitors are captured by the charm of the little meat market, pharmacy and florist that decorate Elburn’s main street. The village is very appealing to commuters who desire a little bit of peace and quiet when they come home from working in the “big city” and is an ideal place to raise a family in Illinois.

Situated about 45 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, the Village of Gilberts is home to nearly 7,500 people. It is located in Kane County and was incorporated back in 1890. After its incorporation it grew slowly until the proximity to Interstate 90 and the growth of neighboring Elgin increased development in Gilberts. Between 2020 and 2021, violent crime in the village dropped by 0.3% and property crime increased by 1.8%.

Most residents own their own homes and the median annual income in this safe, quaint community is $97,135. With a total crime rate per 100K of just 436, Gilberts is considered the sixth safest city in the state of Illinois.

With a population of nearly 26,000 people, Huntley is larger than all of the villages we’ve looked at thus far. It is located in both Kane and McHenry counties and is considered part of the Chicago metropolitan area. Although Huntley is only 46 miles from downtown Chicago, it is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of city life. The community is nicknamed “The Friendly Village with Country Charm.”

While Huntley is rapidly growing and may be outpacing some of its parameters, residents hope that it will always maintain its charm and friendliness. The village dropped four spots on the list of the safest cities in Illinois since last year, but violent crime still decreased by a rate of 0.2%. Though, between 2020 and 2021, property crime did increase by 1.2%.

Lindenhurst also has a slightly larger population than most of the other communities on this list. The village is home to around 14,380 residents and is deemed one of the best and safest places to live in Illinois. Located in Lake County, Lindenhurst has seen tremendous growth since its incorporation in 1956. This village’s inviting landscape offers the ideal backdrop for both businesses and young families to raise their children.

It is home to around 100 thriving businesses and boasts a new library facility with advanced equipment and stunning views that overlook Crooked Lake. There are numerous Lake County forest preserves and trailway systems nearby for residents to enjoy exploration and relaxation in nature all year round. Lindenhurst also offers excellent access to major freeways and plenty of opportunities for volunteerism and general involvement in the community.

From 2020 to 2021, Lindenhurst saw a decrease in violent crime by 0.6% and a decrease in property crime by 1.1%. Based on FBI statistics, the village earns the eighth spot on our list of the safest cities in Illinois.

Located in northeastern Illinois and in Will County, Manhattan is approximately 50 miles southwest of the city of Chicago. This small village has an estimated population of 7,405 residents, with an average household income of $105,497. The area has roots in farming and due to the numerous immigrants, that settled in the village because of the railroad construction in the mid-19th century, much of the culture is rooted in Irish and German heritage.

The village has a rural feel but is a short drive to all the city amenities. With a total crime rate per 100K of 529, Manhattan earns the ninth spot on your list of the safest cities in Illinois.

Lakemoor is a small village located in both Lake and McHenry counties with a population of 6,313. The village was platted in 1924 as a vacation spot around Lily Lake and then incorporated in 1938. It is a fast-growing community, almost doubling its population from the 2000 census to the 2010 census. Lakemoor borders Lily Lake, an 89-acre glacial lake. On its eastern shores you’ll find a village park with a playground, volleyball and basketball courts, and even a beach.

Though cost of living is relatively high, with a total crime rate per 100K of 538, Lakemoor is considered the 10th safest city in the state of Illinois. The village only reported 25 incidents of crime during the 2019 calendar year and only 1 of those was violent.

Located just 32 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, Homer Glen is a village that was incorporated in 2001. Home to around 24,000 people, it is an upscale community with an easy commute into the city that seeks to embrace quality growth but still maintain natural and open space resources. The village’s strong public-school system, upscale neighborhoods, convenient access to commuter rail system, numerous community parks, and over 1,300 acres of public land are what fuel Homer Glen’s growth.

Although the cost of living is high and homes are more expensive than average, Homer Glen is considered the eleventh safest city in Illinois. It reported 130 incidents of crime during the 2019 calendar, only 6 of which were violent crimes, and has a total crime rate per 100K of 528.

Winnetka is a village located in Cook County, Illinois. It is about 16 miles north of downtown Chicago and has a population of approximately 12,437. The village is considered one of the wealthiest places in the country in terms of household income, with a median income for a household of $207,955. It was the second-ranked community in Illinois on Bloomberg’s 2019 Richest Places Annual Index and was deemed the second-best small town to live in the nation by 24/7 Wall St.

Nestled along the North Shore of Lake Michigan, Winnetka boasts tree-lined streets, sandy beaches, top-rated schools, excellent parks, outstanding job opportunities, and much more.” Its natural beauty is what attracted early settlers, as the name given to the community is a Native American word that means “beautiful land. Winnetka has continued to uphold its historic, small-town charm and family-oriented neighborhoods, while becoming a thriving village for people to work, live, and visit.

Incorporated in 1911, the Village of Justice is a suburb in southwest Cook County, Illinois and about 14 miles southwest of the Loop. The population is approximately 12,957, with about 4,600 households and a median household income of $51,017. Justice is home to more than 200 small businesses including gas stations, hair stylists, restaurants, florists, laundromats, tattoo parlors, churches, vehicle repair shops, a funeral home, and much more.

Residents describe Justice as being a safe, diverse community, with excellent schools, and a friendly atmosphere. The close proximity to the forest preserves allow residents to enjoy fishing, picnics, and a variety of sports. With a total crime rate per 100K of 497, Justice earns the thirteenth spot on our list of the safest cities in Illinois. The village reported 63 incidents in the 2019 calendar year, only 4 of which were violent crime.

The Village of Spring Grove is a commuter village located in the Chicago metropolitan area. It is situated in the picturesque surroundings of Northern Illinois and bisected by Nippersink Creek. Spring Grove is one of the fastest growing municipalities in McHenry County, Illinois. The village’s current population is around 5,578 residents, which is up over 2,000 from the 2000 census.

It has a high-quality selection of housing options and years of planning have rewarded residents with an increase of commercial and industrial development. Based on FBI statistics, Spring Grove earns the fourteenth spot on our list of the safest cities in Illinois.

Located about 28 miles west of downtown Chicago, Naperville is the only actual city on this list and one of the largest in the state. It is home to nearly 146,000 people and consistently ranks as a top place in the U.S. to live, work, raise children, and even retire. This energetic, affluent city offers highly rated public and parochial schools, one of the best public library systems in the nation, outstanding parks, diverse worship options, and numerous healthcare providers, along with a considerably low crime rate.

It has all the amenities of a big, modern city, but all the charm and advantages of a quaint, small town. For over six decades, Naperville has consistently drawn new people with its exceptional downtown area, gorgeous Riverwalk, and community spirit. With a total crime rate per 100K of just 205 and 304 total reported incidents in the 2019 calendar year, Naperville is considered the fifteenth safest city in the state of Illinois.