Last Updated on: 2nd October 2023, 12:47 pm
Just 38 miles south of Peoria, Bloomington, Illinois is a historic city that is known for its amazing museums, wonderful outdoor recreation, and low cost of living. Bloomington is located directly in the middle of Chicago and St. Louis, making it a great place to live for those who want to experience a suburban lifestyle while still having easy access to big city amenities.
If you are thinking about moving to Bloomington, then you may be curious about how safe the area is. You will be happy to know that the Bloomington, IL crime rate is well below the national average, and the city is widely considered to be a very safe place to live. Here’s everything you need to know about Bloomington crime, the Bloomington Police Department, and more!
Table of Contents
Understanding the Bloomington Crime Rate – How Crime Rates Are Calculated
Before we dive into the Bloomington, IL crime rate, it is important to understand how these rates are calculated. Crime rates are collected from local law enforcement agencies by the FBI. The FBI takes the total number of crimes committed in an area and divides it by the total population of that area. Then, they multiply these numbers by 100,000, and the crimes are reported as “X crimes per 100,000 people.” There are separate statistics for overall crime, violent crime, and property crime.
While these Bloomington, IL crime statistics can be helpful, it is important to understand what they fail to tell you. Crime rates need context, and these general numbers fail to give any. While high crime rates are alarming, it is important to put them in context with the history of violence in America. For example, the US murder rate rose to 6.2 murders per 100,000 people in 2020, but this is still about 40% below what it was in the 1980s and 1990s.
Many crimes are also targeted and do not just happen randomly. Domestic violence accounts for a large amount of assault/aggravated assault crimes, but crime rates do not differentiate between these targeted attacks and attacks on a random person.
Finally, data reporting is completely voluntary, and police departments are not required to submit their data for the year. This means that one city may appear safer than another when, in reality, they just failed to report a majority of their crime statistics.
All in all, crime rates can be useful, but it is important to do your own research to understand how accurate the numbers actually are.
What Is the Bloomington IL Crime Rate?
To better understand the Bloomington, IL crime rate, it is important to compare it to both the state and the national crime rates.
National crime rate:
- 2,346 crimes per 100,000 people
- 388 violent crimes per 100,000 people
- 1,958 property crimes per 100,000 people
- 1 in 43 chance of being a victim of a crime
Illinois crime rate:
- 1,985 crimes per 100,000 people
- 426 violent crimes per 100,000 people
- 1,559 property crimes per 100,000 people
- 1 in 50 chance of being a victim of crime
Based on the above numbers, the crime rate in Illinois is lower than the national average in every category but violent crime. Here’s how Bloomington stacks up.
Bloomington crime rate:
- 689 crimes per 100,000 people
- 406 violent crimes per 100,000 people
- 283 property crimes per 100,000 people
- 1 in 145 chance of becoming a victim of crime
The crime rate in Bloomington, IL is 65.3% lower than the state average and 70.6% lower than the national average. Based on these numbers, Bloomington is a safe place to live.
Bloomington Crime Map & Crime Reports
One of the best ways to assess crime in the area is to take a look at a Bloomington, IL crime map. This Bloomington crime map from Lexis Nexis is updated by the police in real time and shows crimes that are being reported around the city.
By taking a look at these Bloomington crime reports, you can get a better idea of where most of the crimes in the city are committed, as well as what kind of crimes they are. Based on the map from Lexis Nexis, you can see that most of the crime in Bloomington is committed in the downtown area and often includes property crimes such as theft and motor vehicle theft.
Violent Crime in Bloomington IL
Bloomington violent crime statistics:
- Bloomington IL murders: 1 per 100,000 people
- Bloomington violent crime rate: 406 crimes per 100,000 people
- Total number of violent crimes in Bloomington (2020): 314
- Chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Bloomington: 1 in 246
The violent crime rate in Bloomington is 4.7% lower than the state average and 4.7% higher than the national average. During the 2022 year, police saw a spike in gun crimes in Bloomington. In response to this spike, police have launched many programs, including a gun violence education program as well as an anonymous tip system where civilians can speak directly with officers. While gun-related crimes have increased, homicides and the overall violent crime rate has been down over the past few years.
Overall, the violent crime rate is right around the national average, and just below the state average. While the police department feels as though there is still progress to be made, there is a low chance of being a victim of violent crime in Bloomington.
Property Crime in Bloomington IL
Bloomington property crime statistics:
- Bloomington property crime rate: 283 crimes per 100,000 people
- Total property crimes in Bloomington (2020): 219
- Chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Bloomington: 1 in 353
The property crime rate in Bloomington, IL is 81.9% lower than the state average and 85.5% lower than the national average. These are impressive numbers and indicate that both the police department as well as citizens are doing their part to keep their belongings safe. The Bloomington Police Department has put together organizations such as the Community Engagement Unit to keep residents informed on how to best protect themselves and their property and reduce their chances of becoming a victim of theft or burglary.
Areas to Avoid in Bloomington IL
While Bloomington is too small to have specific dangerous neighborhoods, there are bad areas of the city that you may want to stay away from or be cautious when traveling through. According to this Bloomington crime map, you can see that the western half of the city has more crime (shown in red), while the eastern half of the city has little to no crime (shown in yellow and green).
Even though the western area of the city reports more crime, there are plenty of great places to live in the area, and the level of crime often changes from street to street. A few streets that report a high level of police action include Gettysburg Drive, Todd Drive, Orlando Avenue, Orchard Road, and Tracy Drive. The northwestern area of Bloomington is also a part of the downtown area, where spikes in crimes are more common anyway due to nightlife activity and more tourists frequenting the area.
Safest Neighborhoods in Bloomington
View this post on Instagram
There are many safe Bloomington neighborhoods for you to choose from. While there are many great options all around the city, eastern Bloomington is often considered the most desirable area. This area sees little to no crime and is full of many safe residential developments.
The homes near Hershey Road are very popular among families as this area is very close to outdoor recreation opportunities such as Clearwater Park and Tipton Park. If you are looking to be close to top-rated schools, then try looking for homes along Clearwater Avenue, where you are close to both Stevenson Elementary School and Central Catholic High School.
A few of the other safest places to live in Bloomington include the Ironwood Country Club area as well as the subdivisions near Cornelius Drive.
Bloomington Safety Tips – How to Avoid Crime in Bloomington
- Avoid walking around western Bloomington at night. If you must walk at night, try to travel in groups or use an app such as WalkSafe to find the best route.
- Get to know your neighbors and make a pact to look out for each other.
- Make sure you use proper lighting in and around your home.
- Keep an eye on the Bloomington crime map to be aware of any issues in your area.
- Don’t leave valuables in your car.
- According to the crime map, many crimes occur between 10pm and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. Use caution if you are going out during this time.
- Make sure you lock the doors to both your home and your vehicle.
- Consider installing a home security system.
- Be aware of your surroundings if you are traveling on public transport or walking alone.
Bloomington Police Department
The Bloomington Police Department serves the city and was established in August of 1850. Between 1850 and 1870, there were only 12 officers on the force, and they watched over the town on a horse-drawn patrol wagon. Today, the force has grown to 128 sworn police officers: 1 chief of police, 3 assistant chiefs of police, 6 lieutenants, 16 sergeants, and 102 patrol officers. The department is divided into four divisions: Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Street Crimes, and Administration.
The current Chief of Police is Jamal A. Simington, who was appointed in 2021 after retiring from the Illinois State Police Department.
Bloomington police reports are public information and can be requested at any time through the department’s website.
Bloomington Police Department Information:
- Address: 305 S East St, Bloomington, IL 61701
- Non-emergency phone number: 309-820-8888
- Emergencies: Always dial 911
Bloomington Illinois Crime Rate FAQ
Is Bloomington, IL Safe?
Yes, Bloomington IL is a safe place to live. The overall crime rate is well below both the state and the national average.
What Is the Crime Rate in Bloomington?
The Bloomington, IL crime rate is 689 crimes per 100,000 people. This is 65.3% lower than the state average and 70.6% lower than the national average.
What Is the Bloomington Murder Rate?
Bloomington murders are rare. The Bloomington murder rate is 1 per 100,000, which is 89.0% lower than the state average and 84.7% lower than the national average.
Is Bloomington, IL safe? The low crime rates and many desirable areas make Bloomington a very safe place to live. Crime is on a downward trend and the police have many programs in place to prevent more crime from happening around the city.
When you are ready to make your move to Bloomington, give Federal Companies a call. Our experienced Bloomington moving company will get you settled into your new home safely and quickly. Contact us today at 800-747-4100.
