The 5 Safest DuPage County Suburbs for Real Estate Investors (FBI Data)

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Author: Mark Ainely | Partner GC Realty & Development & Co-Host Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast

For years, real estate professionals were told to keep quiet on two of the questions buyers and investors ask most often: "How are the schools?" and "What's the crime like?" That changed in April 2026, when HUD issued new guidance clarifying that agents and brokers can lawfully share neighborhood crime data and school performance information with clients, as long as the data is presented factually, consistently, and without discriminatory intent. We covered the full ruling and what it means for Chicagoland investors here: What Real Estate Brokers Can Now Say About Crime and Schools: HUD Just Changed the Rules.

At GC Realty & Development, we've been waiting for the green light to do exactly what investors have been asking us to do for years: put the actual numbers on the table. So this is the first in a series. No opinions. No "good neighborhood / bad neighborhood" labels. Just public, government-sourced data, applied the same way to every town we cover.

Today's question: which 5 DuPage County suburbs have the lowest reported crime rates, and what does that mean if you're underwriting a rental property or comparing investment markets?

Already thinking bigger picture about Chicago suburb investing? If you're trying to figure out where to deploy capital across the Chicagoland market more broadly, our companion piece walks through the full framework: Where to Invest in the Chicago Suburbs Without Losing Your Shirt. This article focuses on the safety variable specifically. Use both together if you're underwriting a new market.

Key Takeaways

• HUD's April 2026 ruling cleared real estate professionals to share neighborhood crime data with clients, provided the data is presented factually and consistently across all clients.

• DuPage County's overall violent crime rate is roughly half the national average, ranking in the 93rd percentile for violent crime safety against all US counties.

• The 5 safest DuPage County suburbs by FBI data are Warrenville, Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, and Wood Dale.

• Violent crime rates in all 5 towns sit well below Illinois state and national averages, ranging from below 1 per 1,000 residents (Clarendon Hills, Burr Ridge) to roughly 2 per 1,000 (Warrenville, Hinsdale, Wood Dale).

• Median SFR sale prices vary widely, from $345K in Wood Dale to over $1.4M in Hinsdale, supporting different investor strategies from yield to appreciation.

• Low crime correlates with lower tenant turnover, lower insurance costs, faster days on market, and stronger long-term appreciation, but it does not guarantee any specific deal pencils on standard underwriting.

How We Built This Ranking

Data sources: Crime statistics in this article are sourced from CrimeGrade.org's typical-year analysis (multi-year averaged FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data) and NeighborhoodScout's analysis of FBI 2023 calendar year data, which is the most recent full-year town-level data publicly aggregated as of publication. Illinois state and national averages are pulled from the FBI's 2024 UCR release (October 2025). Multi-year averaged data is more stable than single-year snapshots for small municipalities, where one or two incidents can swing single-year rates significantly.

Geographic scope: Every DuPage County municipality with its own reporting law enforcement agency. Unincorporated areas covered by the DuPage County Sheriff are excluded from town-level rankings to keep the comparison apples to apples.

Metric used: Violent crime incidents per 1,000 residents. Violent crime under FBI definitions includes homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. We also report property crime per 1,000 residents (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) for each town.

Population data: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, 2024.

Why per 1,000 instead of raw counts? Raw counts make small towns look artificially safe and big towns look artificially dangerous. Rates per 1,000 residents normalize for population so comparisons are fair.

Investor metrics included: Median single-family residence (SFR) sale price using trailing 12-month data from Homes.com (sourced from local MLS), Redfin, and MRED MLS direct (where cited). 3BR median rent from public aggregators (Apartments.com, Apartment Finder, RentCafe) where rental inventory supports a credible public median.

This is the same methodology we'll apply to every town we cover in this series, regardless of price point or perceived "tier." That consistency is the core principle of how HUD asks real estate professionals to handle this kind of information.

Where DuPage County Stands Compared to the Rest of the Country

Before drilling into specific towns, the county-level picture matters. DuPage County is one of the safer counties in Illinois and significantly safer than the national average across most major crime categories. Here's how the numbers compare:

Sources: Illinois state and national rates from FBI Uniform Crime Reporting 2024 (released October 2025). DuPage County figures from CrimeGrade.org typical-year analysis based on FBI UCR data.

A few takeaways from the county-level data:

• DuPage County's violent crime rate is roughly half the national average. By aggregator percentile rankings, the county is safer than 76% of US counties on overall crime and safer than 93% of US counties on violent crime specifically.

• DuPage County's property crime rate sits close to the national average. Property crime (theft, burglary, motor vehicle theft) is the most common offense category here, as it is in most US counties. Violent crime is where DuPage really stands out as an outlier on the safe side.

• Geography matters within the county. Residents and FBI data both indicate the northwest portion of DuPage tends to register lower per capita crime rates than the southeast, though the gap is narrower than you'd see in most metro areas.

• Even the higher-crime municipalities in DuPage tend to look mid-pack on a national scale. The 5 towns featured below rank among the safest municipalities not just in DuPage but in Illinois overall.

For investors evaluating DuPage as a market, the county-level data provides a useful baseline. Lower crime correlates with lower tenant turnover, lower insurance costs, faster days on market when you eventually sell, and stronger long-term appreciation curves. None of those factors guarantees any individual deal works on paper, but they do shape the underwriting environment you're operating in.

The 5 Lowest Crime DuPage County Suburbs

Below are 5 DuPage County municipalities that consistently report among the lowest crime rates in the county. Crime rates are shown per 1,000 residents and reflect violent crime (FBI Part I: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crime (FBI Part I: burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, arson). All crime figures sourced from CrimeGrade.org typical-year analysis of FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data, cross-referenced with NeighborhoodScout's FBI 2023 calendar year analysis. Median sale prices reflect trailing 12-month data from Homes.com, Redfin, and MRED MLS direct (where cited). Median rents from public aggregator sources where rental inventory permits.

1. Warrenville

Population: 14,232 Violent crime rate: 1.83 per 1,000 residents Property crime rate: 6 per 1,000 residents Safety percentile: 82nd (safer than 82% of US cities on violent crime) Median SFR sale price (T12): $348,750 Median 3BR rent (apartment average): $3,080

Warrenville has consistently appeared at or near the top of statewide safest-city lists for years. The town's combination of stable population, dedicated municipal PD, and steady FBI reporting record shows up in the numbers. From an investment lens, Warrenville offers a more accessible price point than some of the other towns on this list, which can mean better gross yields on rental properties.

Investor takeaway: Lower entry price relative to other low-crime DuPage markets. Worth modeling for buy-and-hold investors prioritizing tenant stability.

2. Clarendon Hills

Population: 8,659 Violent crime rate: Below 1 per 1,000 residents (5-year FBI average reflects 34 violent crimes total over 2019 to 2024) Property crime rate: Approximately 5 per 1,000 residents Safety percentile: Among the safest small municipalities in Illinois Median SFR sale price (T12): $625,500

Clarendon Hills is one of the smallest municipalities on this list, which means raw incident counts will always look low. Even normalized per 1,000 residents, the town consistently posts among the lowest violent crime rates in Illinois. The Clarendon Hills Police Department reported just 14 sworn officers serving a community where the chance of being a violent crime victim is essentially statistical noise.

Investor takeaway: Limited rental inventory due to small market size. Premium pricing relative to median DuPage. Historically strong appreciation with very low tenant turnover risk in family-oriented housing stock.

3. Hinsdale

Population: Approximately 17,400 Violent crime rate: 1.94 per 1,000 residents (CrimeGrade typical year); NeighborhoodScout shows the chance of violent crime victimization at 1 in 2,200 residents using 2023 FBI data Property crime rate: Below national average; chance of property crime victimization is 1 in 207 residents (NeighborhoodScout, FBI 2023) Safety percentile: 78th (CrimeGrade violent crime safety percentile) Median SFR sale price (T12 detached, ending Feb 2026): $1,425,000 (MRED MLS)

Hinsdale's low crime profile is well-documented in FBI data year after year. The town has a dedicated police department, an active village government, and a long history of reinvestment in public safety infrastructure.

Investor takeaway: This is a high-price-point market. Cap rates and gross yields will look thin on standard underwriting. The thesis here is appreciation, low vacancy, and tenant credit quality, not cash flow.

4. Burr Ridge

Population: 11,984 Violent crime rate: Below 1 per 1,000 residents (chance of violent crime victimization is 1 in 3,734 per NeighborhoodScout, FBI 2023) Property crime rate: 8 per 1,000 residents (NeighborhoodScout, FBI 2023); CrimeGrade typical year shows 10.36 per 1,000 Safety percentile: 79th (overall safety percentile against all US cities) Median SFR sale price (recent 12-month): $965,000 (Redfin)

Burr Ridge has been recognized in third-party safety rankings as one of Illinois's safest municipalities, holding a Safety Index score of 0.75 alongside Elk Grove Village and Wood Dale in past national rankings. The town's housing stock skews larger and more expensive, which shapes the investor profile here.

Investor takeaway: Similar to Hinsdale, the play is long-hold appreciation with high-credit tenant pools. Not typically a yield-focused market.

5. Wood Dale

Population: Approximately 13,800 Violent crime rate: 1.93 per 1,000 residents (CrimeGrade typical year); 1 per 1,000 per NeighborhoodScout FBI 2023 analysis Property crime rate: 9.97 per 1,000 residents (CrimeGrade typical year); 9 per 1,000 per NeighborhoodScout Safety percentile: 78th (CrimeGrade violent crime safety percentile); officer-to-resident ratio of 3.7 per 1,000 (38.9% above Illinois average) Median SFR sale price (T12): $345,000 Median 3BR rent (house average): $2,705

Wood Dale rounds out the list with consistently low FBI-reported crime rates and one of the highest law enforcement to resident ratios in the county. The town's police force size relative to population is a meaningful factor in its sustained ranking among Illinois's safer municipalities.

Investor takeaway: Wood Dale's price point sits between Warrenville and the upper-end markets like Hinsdale. Solid middle-market option with reasonable yield potential and a stable tenant base.

What This Data Means If You're an Investor

Low crime is one variable in a multi-variable underwriting model. It's not the whole picture, but it does correlate with several things investors care about: tenant turnover, insurance costs, days on market when you eventually sell, and long-term appreciation curves. Here's how we'd suggest using a list like this:

As a starting filter, not a destination. A town's crime rate tells you something about base risk. It doesn't tell you whether a specific property at a specific price pencils out as an investment. Two properties on the same block can have very different return profiles.

Pair it with rent and price data. A safe town with no rental demand is not an investment market. The towns above are all DuPage suburbs with active rental inventory, but the cap rate math varies dramatically between Warrenville and Hinsdale. Run your own numbers.

Watch the trend, not just the snapshot. A town with a slightly higher crime rate that has been trending downward for five years can be a stronger growth bet than a static low-crime town. We'll publish a separate piece on DuPage trend data later in this series.

Don't ignore higher-crime markets without a hard look. Some of the strongest cash-flow opportunities in Chicagoland sit in markets with higher crime profiles. The risk is real and needs to be priced into the deal, but writing those markets off entirely leaves yield on the table.

Where the Data Comes From (For Your Records)

If you want to pull these figures yourself or explore additional data:

• FBI Crime Data Explorer: cde.ucr.cjis.gov (free, public, agency-level NIBRS data)

• DuPage County Sheriff Transparency Hub: dupagesheriff-transparency-dupage.hub.arcgis.com

• Illinois State Police UCR: isp.illinois.gov

• U.S. Census QuickFacts: census.gov/quickfacts (population baselines)

• Municipal PD annual reports for the towns above

We pulled and applied the same methodology to every DuPage municipality with FBI-reporting law enforcement. The full county data set is available on request. If you want to see a town that didn't make this list, reach out and we'll send the comparable numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "violent crime" mean in FBI data?

Violent crime under the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program covers four offenses: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. These are distinct from property crime, which covers burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Per 1,000 resident rates allow fair comparisons across towns of different sizes.

Why is DuPage County safer than the rest of Illinois and most of the US?

DuPage County has a strong municipal funding base, well-staffed police departments across most municipalities, lower population density compared to urban counties, and a population profile (income, education, homeownership) that historically correlates with lower crime rates. The county overall is safer than 76% of US counties on combined crime metrics and 93% on violent crime specifically.

Does the new HUD ruling apply only to Chicago or DuPage County?

No. HUD's April 2026 guidance is federal and applies to real estate professionals across the United States. Individual states and the National Association of REALTORS still have their own ethics and conduct guidelines that apply on top of federal fair housing law. The ruling clarifies that sharing crime and school data is not, by itself, a Fair Housing Act violation when shared consistently and without discriminatory intent.

How often is FBI crime data updated?

The FBI releases annual UCR data each fall, covering the prior calendar year. Town-level data for 2024 was released in October 2025. Municipal police departments also publish their own monthly and quarterly reports for more recent activity, available on most town websites.

Are these 5 towns the best places to invest in DuPage County?

Crime is one input variable in a larger investment decision. The towns on this list are among the safest in DuPage County by FBI data, but the right investment market for you depends on your strategy (yield versus appreciation), capital available, target tenant profile, and risk tolerance. Some of the strongest cash-flow opportunities in Chicagoland sit in markets with higher crime profiles where the risk is priced into the deal.

Can I get crime data for a town that isn't on this list?

Yes. We applied the same methodology to every DuPage County municipality with reporting law enforcement. Reach out if you want comparable numbers for any town in DuPage or the broader Chicagoland area.

Coming Next in This Series

This article is the first in a data-only series we're publishing on DuPage County and the broader Chicagoland investor market. Future installments:

• Where Du

• Page Crime Is Falling Fastest: 5 Suburbs to Watch

Don't Go At This Alone!

GC Realty & Development has been managing rental properties across Chicagoland since 2003. We oversee roughly 1,400 units across the city, the suburbs, and every market in between. That portfolio gives our team a real-time read on what's actually happening on the ground in towns like the ones above: where tenants are renewing, where insurance costs are creeping, where appreciation is outpacing rent growth, and where the data on paper tells a different story than the data in the field.

If you're evaluating an investment property in DuPage County, or trying to figure out where your next property should be, we can help you cut through the marketing noise and look at the actual numbers. Our team works with first-time landlords, seasoned investors, out-of-state buyers, and everyone in between.

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