Here Are The 10 Most Dangerous Towns In Illinois To Live In

Crime is scary stuff, and it can truly happen anywhere. But your chances of being a victim are higher if you live in a "dangerous" town. We're counting down the 10 most dangerous places in Illinois in which to live, based on FBI crime statistics:

1. Chicago

Routinely near the top of national lists of violent cities, it is no surprise that Chicago tops this list of the most dangerous towns in Illinois. In 2014, there were almost 500 homicides.

Read more about Chicago.

2. Rockford

For a town its size, Rockford has an unusually high crime rate. There are 760 crimes per 10,000 residents. And it has one of the highest aggravated assault rates in the entire country, making it one of the most dangerous towns in Illinois.

Learn more about Rockford, Illinois.

3. Springfield

The state capitol is not a safe place, either. The rate of violent crime is 5.5 per 1,000 residents.

It might seem like a dangerous place to avoid in Illinois, but if you're cautious and know where to go, Springfield can be a nice place to visit. We've put together an itinerary to explore the town.

Check out more about Springfield, Illinois.

4. Peoria

Peoria is another central Illinois town with a poor crime rate. The rate of violent crime is 3.6 per 1,000 residents.

If you want to explore Peoria, there is a nice scenic drive you can take though! Check out this scenic drive in Peoria.

5. Champaign

University of Illinois is a beautiful campus, but you'll want to make sure to walk with a buddy. There were 1,493 incidents of violent crime in 2013 (most recent stats)--including 14 homicides.

There are some highlights in Champaign, though. Check out this great restaurant in Champaign.

6. Aurora

Gangs have infiltrated Aurora and brought some of the crime from Chicago into it, making it a more dangerous town in Illinois. Good news, though: crime has been on the decline.

One good way to explore Aurora is by driving through it. Check out this this scenic drive in Aurora.

7. Joliet

Unfortunately, crime is on the rise in Joliet. There were 557 violent crimes in 2013, with sexual assault and robbery rates increasing.

Read more about Joliet, Illinois.

8. Harvey

Harvey only has 25,000 people but has had years (2013) where as many as TEN murders have occurred.

Learn more about Harvey, Illinois.

9. Waukegan

The setting of Waukegan just off the lake is beautiful. But what isn't beautiful is that 5 out of 1,000 residents is the victim of a violent crime.

Find out more about Waukegan, Illinois.

10. Bloomington

You might be surprised about the crime rate in Bloomington. There are 5 violent crimes per 1,000 people.

There are some cool things to do this city, though. For example, check out this historic mansion in Bloomington.

What do YOU think are the most dangerous places in Illinois? Had any scary experiences in any particular town? Let us know in the comments.