Located in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago, Bolingbrook, IL, has attracted residents with its safety and proximity to the big city for decades. As the community grows and attracted more attention, it leaves people wondering just how safe Bolingbrook, IL actually is.
Data shows that Bolingbrook’s crime rates are 56% lower than the national average and its violent crimes are 58% lower than the U.S. average.
These numbers make Bolingbrook a safer alternative to not only other cities within Illinois but also compared to many cities across the country.
Now that I have your attention, let’s analyze the crime statistics a bit more to see what other trends we can find in this crime report.
Understanding the Crime Rate of a City
US and State Average
When evaluating the safety of a city or town, it’s important to understand the crime rate and how it compares to US and state averages.
Crime rate refers to the number of crimes committed per 1,000 residents, and it’s a useful indicator of the safety level in a particular area.
In comparison to the national average, Bolingbrook, IL has a relatively low crime rate. The violent crime rate in Bolingbrook is 12.9, which is considerably lower than the US average of 22.7. Similarly, the rate of property crime in Bolingbrook is 21.6, a considerable decrease from the national average of 35.4.
If we look at Bolingbrook within the context of Illinois, we can see that residents have a 1 in 603 (.17%) chance of becoming a victim of violent crime, while the statewide odds are slightly higher, standing at 1 in 253 (.40%)according to the data found on NeighborhoodScout.
Bolingbrook Illinois Crime Types
Bolingbrook, IL, has a population of around 74,000 residents. In order to paint a clear picture of the safety of this area, we’re going to look at the following crime categories.
Violent Crime Rate
Violent crime consists of offenses involving physical harm or threats of physical harm toward others. The main types of violent crime include assault, robbery, rape, and murder. In Bolingbrook, violent crime is relatively low.
The violent crime rate is 1.66 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 4.
Property Crime Rate
Property crime involves the theft or destruction of someone’s property. Typical property crimes include burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
According to crime data from AreaVibes, the total crime in Bolingbrook are 56% lower than the national average. The chances of becoming a victim of property crime there are 1 in 98. Bolingbrook is considered safer than 62% of the cities in the United States, and the crime rates in the area have not shown any significant changes year over year.
Safest Neighborhoods in Bolingbrook, IL
When it comes to neighborhood safety, Bolingbrook is in the 78th percentile, which means that 22% of cities are safer and 78% of cities are more dangerous. The city’s safety ranking also suggests that it is a safer place to live in comparison to similar-sized communities across the nation.
Here is a ranking of popular neighborhoods in Bolingbrook from safest to least safe:
- River Bend
- Somerfield
- Barclay Estates / Woodleaf
- River Hills
- Brookpoint / Stonegate Village
- Peppertree / Bradford Place
- Pheasant Chase
- Winston Woods
- New American / Indian Oaks
- Brookwood Estates / Balstrode Farms
*Courtesy of Neighborhood Scout
Comparing Bolingbrook Crime to Nearby Cities
Comparing this town’s crime rates with those of nearby Illinois communities provides crucial context, allowing for a more informed analysis of public safety trends and challenges.
Here’s a comparison of recent crime rates for cities surrounding Bolingbrook:
- Lemont – Violent crime rate of 26 per 100,000. Property crime rate of 860 per 100,000. Much lower rates than Bolingbrook.
- Darien – Violent crime rate of 57 per 100,000. Property crime rate of 1,190 per 100,000. Also has lower crime rates than Bolingbrook.
- Romeoville – Violent crime rate of 243 per 100,000. Property crime rate of 1,317 per 100,000. Has a higher violent crime rate but lower property crime rate than Bolingbrook.
- Woodridge – Violent crime rate of 103 per 100,000. Property crime rate of 1,317 per 100,000. Lower than Bolingbrook for both categories.
Some factors that play a role in making Bolingbrook a safer place include:
- Active community involvement
- Strong presence of police officers and other law enforcement agencies
- Numerous parks and recreational areas promote a sense of community
Local’s Opinion on Bolingbrook’s Crime Data
While I’m not a resident, I live in the neighboring city of Lemont and frequent Bolingbrook for shopping (read: Costco) and entertainment. When compiling the data for this post, I can say that the crime rates for Bolingbrook actually surprised me a bit!
It really is one of the safest places if you’re comparing it to other cities in the Chicago burbs, but is it one of the best places? I’ll leave that up to you to decide, ha!
