Ask most Americans to name the most dangerous cities in Illinois, and Chicago will come up first. The 2024 FBI crime data tells a different story: on a per-capita basis, Chicago is not even in the top 10. A city of about 28,000 in east-central Illinois holds the worst violent crime rate in the state — and it is not close.
TL;DR: Ranked by violent crime rate per 100,000 residents using 2024 FBI data, Danville (1,684.3) is the most dangerous city in Illinois among cities of 25,000 or more, followed by Peoria (1,344.9) and Chicago Heights (1,232.5). Chicago ranks 11th. Illinois’ statewide rate of 289.2 per 100K sits about 19% below the national average.
How this ranking was built
The FBI released its full-year 2024 crime report on August 5, 2025 — making 2024 the latest complete reporting year, per the FBI’s announcement. Nationally, violent crime fell an estimated 4.5% in 2024, to a rate of 359.1 per 100,000.
Here, “violent crime” follows the FBI’s definition: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Only cities with at least 25,000 residents are ranked, since a few incidents can wildly distort per-capita rates in tiny towns. One caveat: the FBI counts only crimes reported to police, so these rates understate total crime.
The 10 most dangerous cities in Illinois, ranked
1. Danville — 1,684.3 violent crimes per 100,000
Danville, near the Indiana border, is far and away the state leader. Its rate of 1,684.3 per 100K is 4.7 times the national average. The city’s 470 reported violent crimes in 2024 were driven mostly by aggravated assault — roughly a 1-in-59 annual chance of violent victimization for residents.
2. Peoria — 1,344.9 per 100,000
Peoria, the state’s eighth-largest city, takes #2 at 1,344.9 per 100K. Its murder rate of 12.8 per 100,000 was among the highest in Illinois.
3. Chicago Heights — 1,232.5 per 100,000
This south suburb of about 26,000 barely clears the population cutoff yet lands at #3. Its murder rate of 19.4 per 100K was the second-highest in this top 10.
4. Rockford — 1,080.0 per 100,000
Illinois’ third-largest city is the biggest municipality in the top five, at 1,080.0 per 100K. Its murder rate of 13.1 per 100,000 sits well above the state average.
5. Kankakee — 943.4 per 100,000
Kankakee’s rate of 943.4 per 100K comes with the highest murder rate on this list: 30.9 homicides per 100,000 residents.
6. Springfield — 901.2 per 100,000
The state capital recorded 901.2 violent crimes per 100K. With nearly 112,000 people, Springfield is the second-largest city on this list — proof that these rankings follow rates, not raw totals.
7. Granite City — 617.8 per 100,000
This Metro East city of about 27,000 posted 617.8 per 100K — a steep drop from the top six. Its murder rate of 3.7 per 100,000 was among the lowest in the top 10.
8. Decatur — 602.1 per 100,000
Decatur, home to roughly 68,000 in central Illinois, lands at #8 with 602.1 violent crimes per 100K and a murder rate of 7.4 per 100,000.
9. Urbana — 544.4 per 100,000
Urbana, the university half of the Champaign-Urbana metro, records 544.4 violent crimes per 100K. Its murder rate of 2.6 per 100,000 was the lowest in the top 10.
10. Rock Island — 544.1 per 100,000
Rock Island edges out Chicago for the final spot by a hair: 544.1 versus Chicago’s 539.8 per 100K.
Notable: Chicago just misses the top 10
Chicago’s 2024 violent crime rate of 539.8 per 100,000 puts it 11th among Illinois cities of 25,000-plus. The raw totals are enormous — a city of 2.6 million will always generate more incidents — but per person, ten smaller cities rank higher. Belleville (532.0) and Galesburg (512.7) follow just behind.
What the numbers say about Illinois
Three things stand out. First, Danville is a genuine outlier: its rate is more than triple the #10 city’s. Second, Danville, Peoria, and Chicago Heights combined for 2,263 violent crimes in 2024 — a heavy concentration for three mid-size cities. Third, the state as a whole looks better than the headlines suggest: Illinois’ rate of 289.2 per 100K is roughly 19% below the national average, and FBI Crime Data Explorer figures show it fell from 321.6 in 2023 to about 294.4 in 2024.
For comparison, see our FBI-data rankings of the 10 most dangerous cities in Texas and the 10 most dangerous cities in Arizona.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most dangerous city in Illinois?
Based on 2024 FBI data, Danville is the most dangerous city in Illinois, with a violent crime rate of 1,684.3 per 100,000 residents — the highest of any Illinois city with at least 25,000 people.
Is Chicago the most dangerous city in Illinois?
No. Chicago ranks 11th among Illinois cities of 25,000+, with a 2024 violent crime rate of 539.8 per 100,000 residents. Six smaller cities rank higher on a per-capita basis.
What counts as violent crime in this ranking?
This ranking uses the FBI’s definition: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crimes such as burglary and theft are not included.
Is 2024 the latest FBI crime data available?
Yes. The FBI released its full-year 2024 crime report on August 5, 2025. It is the most recent complete year of national crime data.
How does Illinois compare to the national average?
Illinois’ statewide violent crime rate was 289.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024 — about 19% below the national average of 359.1 per 100,000.
Why does Danville rank so high?
The FBI data shows the rate, not the causes. Researchers generally link elevated violent crime to factors like concentrated poverty and drug markets, but those are broad patterns — not a diagnosis of any one city.
Do these numbers include unreported crimes?
No. FBI figures count only crimes reported to police. The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that a large share of violent crimes goes unreported, so actual rates are likely higher.
Has violent crime been rising or falling in Illinois?
Falling. FBI Crime Data Explorer figures show Illinois’ rate dropped from 321.6 per 100,000 in 2023 to about 294.4 in 2024. Nationally, violent crime fell an estimated 4.5% in 2024.
Where can I check crime data for my own city?
The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer lets you look up offense data by agency and location. Local police departments also publish annual reports that may be more current.
