Pekin, IL Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Pekin, IL

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Pekin is 12.2% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 103 violent crimes reported in Pekin, equivalent to 330 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 10.9%. Additionally, Pekin recorded 712 property crimes, amounting to 2278 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 16.6%.

When assessing the total crime rate in Pekin per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within Pekin, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

Pekin exhibits a violent crime rate that closely echoes the national average reported by all cities, with 330 incidents per 100,000 people, in line with the nationwide figure of 370. This uniformity underscores Pekin as a community where safety standards align seamlessly with the broader national context, delivering residents a steadfast and dependable sense of security.

While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Pekin stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Pekin, a total of 5 murders were reported, equating to 16 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Pekin?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Pekin. Based on the results of the surveys (6 responses), 67% of people felt that there was very little crime in Pekin and felt safe walking alone at night. While 33% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Pekin a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Pekin a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Pekin crime rate is 12% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 2.23 crimes per day - 0.28 violent crimes and 1.95 property crimes.

Has Crime in Pekin Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Pekin crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Pekin has increased by 19.9% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 1% and property crime has increased by 23.6%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Pekin

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Pekin crime rates. In Pekin, the poverty rate stands at 15.5%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Pekin, the cost of living is 14.51% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Pekin, the average monthly rent stands at $671, while the national average is $949 per month.

Pekin crime map