Peoria Crime Rate [2024] | 👮 Is Peoria IL Safe? [Crime Map, Stats & Reports] (2024)

• January 20, 2023
• City guides
• crime, Illinois, Peoria

Last Updated on: 10th March 2023, 07:44 pm

Nestled along the banks of the Peoria River, the City of Peoria, Illinois, is a popular place to reside. It is the largest city on the Illinois River, known for being a hub of agricultural activity. On top of these facts, Peoria is also known for being one of the Top 10 Best Mannered Cities in the nation, having the world’s most beautiful drive (as stated by Theodore Roosevelt), and for its gorgeous outdoor spaces.

Thinking about moving to Peoria in the near future? If so, it is paramount to learn about the Peoria crime rate. By reviewing the latest data on overall crime, violent crime, and property crime, you’ll be able to make the most informed decision as to where you settle down.

Understanding the Peoria Crime Rate – How Crime Rates Are Calculated

Few people are experts at collecting and assessing crime data for a given city. Therefore, to best understand crime data in Peoria, it is important to know how it is calculated and how to review it properly.

Put simply, crime rates come from FBI data that is submitted by various law enforcement agencies. Almost every city collects data on the following: overall crime rates, property crime rates, and violent crime rates.

What’s the best strategy for assessing the crime rate in Peoria? According to the FBI, law enforcement experts discourage using crime rates alone to compare cities. Rather, crime statistics are best assessed through the lens of context and time.

Be sure to follow each of these steps when exploring Peoria crime statistics:

• Peoria crime data does not include every offense committed within the city. Due to a variety of factors, only index crimes are included.
• One reason for the above is that not all crimes are reported to the police. For example, in cases of domestic violence, only a fraction of these crimes are ever reported.
• Errors in using crime reporting best practices can cause discrepancies in the total crime rate in Illinois, as well as the Peoria crime rate.
• Peoria crime rates can be somewhat misleading, as they do not separate a city into its safest/least safe neighborhoods. This can make it challenging to discern high crime areas of Peoria and low crime areas of Peoria by using citywide data alone.
• When evaluating the question “Is Peoria safe?”, it is necessary to review the context surrounding drops and increases in crime categories from year to year.

What should be the main takeaway from the above information? As with all cities, crime in Peoria needs to be evaluated carefully and within the proper context. Crime rates for a given city are a highly useful tool; however, this data should not be the sole way to determine if an area is safe. Peoria crime figures should always be used as a starting point for your research.

On top of this helpful info, it is also worthwhile to know that most crime rates are based on the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system. In 2021, this system was replaced with National Incident-Based Reporting Systems (NIBRS).

The National Incident-Based Reporting Systems (NIBRS) does the following:

• Records data on a more extensive list of crimes
• Classifies 20+ crime categories (UCR only had eight categories)
• Separates attempted and completed crimes
• Mandates that agencies submit detailed reports about all offenses committed during a single crime incident

What Is the Peoria Crime Rate?

• Peoria total crime rate: 2,039 per 100,000
• Peoria property crime rate: 1,053 per 100,000
• Peoria violent crime rate: 986 per 100,000
• Chance of being the victim of crime in Peoria: 1 in 49

How does crime in Peoria compare with the Illinois crime rate? Overall, the Peoria crime rate is 2.7% higher than the Illinois state average, but 13.1% lower than the U.S. average crime rate. Peoria violent crime is 131.5% greater than the state average, and 154.3% higher than the national average. Property crime rates in Peoria are rather encouraging, with a 32.5% lower rate than the state average, and a 46.2% lower rate than the United States average.

Peoria Crime Map & Crime Reports

Want to know where you can access a map that breaks down crime by each Peoria neighborhood? This valuable map provides a visual representation of the safest places to live in Peoria, and the dangerous areas of Peoria.

Additionally, the City of Peoria provides a CrimeView crime analysis that shows current and historical data.

Violent Crime in Peoria

• Peoria murder rate per 100k: 13 (42.9% higher than the Illinois average, and 98.6% greater than the U.S. average)

• Peoria violent crime rate per 100k: 986 (131.5% higher than the state average, 154.3% greater than the national violent crime rate)
  • Total number of violent crimes: 1,084
• Chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Peoria: 1 in 101

Although the city experienced a brief reprieve from its high violent crime rates in 2020 (largely attributed to the pandemic), these types of crimes rebounded in 2021.

Property Crime in Peoria

• Peoria property crime rate per 100k: 1,053 (32.5% lower than the Illinois average)
  • Total property crimes: 1,157
• Chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Peoria: 1 in 95

High Crime Areas of Peoria

Want to know some of the highest crime spots to avoid in Peoria? Check out this list of the least safe neighborhoods in Peoria.

• East Peoria: With a 1 in 13 chance of being the victim of a crime, East Peoria is one of the Peoria area’s most dangerous places to live. Situated across the river from the Peoria city center, overall, violent, and property crimes are very high in this community.
• Cottage District: According to the latest crime maps, the Cottage District in Peoria has some of the city’s highest crime rates across all categories.
• Central Business District: Despite its charming setting, the city’s thriving business district is also known for its high crime rates.
• Averyville: Located directly on the river near the Peoria Zoo, crime maps also show a significantly higher rate of crime in this neighborhood when compared to the rest of Peoria.

Safest Neighborhoods in Peoria

There are plenty of places that are considered to be safe neighborhoods in Peoria. Explore some of the best Peoria neighborhoods.

• Germantown Hills: Nestled eight miles away from the city center, Germantown Hills is one of the safest neighborhoods in Peoria. Overall crime is 74% lower than the national average, property crime rates are 76% lower than the U.S. average, and violent crimes are 67% lower.
• Northwest Peoria: With a 1 in 64 chance of becoming a victim of a crime, Northwest Peoria is one of the area’s safest neighborhoods.
• Bellevue: Cozy, quiet, and suburban, Bellevue maintains lower than average crime rates compared to Illinois and U.S. averages.
• Mossville: Encompassing the scenic Robert Rutherford Wildlife Sanctuary, life in Mossville is safe and serene.

Peoria Safety Tips – How to Avoid Crime in Peoria

• Peoria homeowners: Think about installing either a professionally monitored or self-monitored security system. Equipment can include an alarm, outdoor cameras, indoor cameras, glass break detectors, motion detectors, lights, and more.
• Don’t forget to lock all doors; this includes your home and vehicles. Even if you reside in a safe neighborhood, homes and vehicles are always subject to break-ins.
• Need to venture to a high-crime part of Peoria? Don’t go out after dark if possible, and be vigilant during the day.
• If you have to go out after dark, consider carrying pepper spray. Always be vigilant of your surroundings to ensure that no one can sneak up on you.

Peoria Police Department

• Chief of Police: Chief Eric Echevarria
• Officers: 203
• Non-emergency number: 309-673-4521
• Address: Peoria Police Department, 600 SW Adams St, Peoria, IL 61602.

Serving the entire City of Peoria, the Peoria Police Department currently employs a total of 203 officers, as well as 25 professional staff members. This department makes it easy to view police reports, stats, and crime maps through its detailed online resources. Their website also features press releases, an online payments portal, an Abandoned Vehicle Report Form, and a Civilian Complaint Form.

Peoria Ohio Crime Rate FAQ

Is Peoria safer than Springfield?

Peoria is as safe as Springfield. Across every category —including overall, violent, and property crime — the data for each city is nearly identical.

How safe is Peoria?

Especially when considering the fact that it is a metro area, Peoria is a relatively safe place to live. Throughout the city, there are plenty of safe neighborhoods for residents to enjoy.

What is the Peoria crime rate?

The Peoria crime rate is 2,039 per 100,000 residents. Locals have a 1 in 49 chance of becoming the victim of a crime.

Just like in any city, crime is present in Peoria. However, there are many safe places to live in Peoria. Thoroughly researching each community throughout the city will help you choose one with low crime. When you’re getting ready to relocate to Peoria, be sure to contact our moving experts at Federal Companies – at 800-747-4100 – for a no-cost quote.