Is Belleville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Belleville
Is it Safe to Live in Belleville?
Belleville, Illinois, presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with some residents expressing concerns while officials point to declining crime statistics. In 2023, the city recorded three murders and 37 rapes, a slight increase from 2022’s figures of two murders and 35 rapes (as reported by Belleville News-Democrat). However, the Belleville Police Chief stated that citywide criminal offenses have decreased in all categories in 2023 compared to 2022 (as reported by Belleville News-Democrat). Some residents have noted an increase in “violent crimes, thefts and break-ins” in their neighborhoods, citing concerns about homelessness, drug addiction, and vacant homes (as reported by Belleville News-Democrat).
The city’s crime rate is higher than the national average, with a chance of being a victim of violent or property crime at 1 in 42 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Specifically, Belleville has a higher-than-average rate of motor vehicle theft, with a 1 in 303 chance of a car being stolen (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Despite these figures, the police department emphasizes that they are monitoring a slight increase in crime statistics for early 2024, but this is over a very small window of time (as reported by Belleville News-Democrat). The city has implemented the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which provides a more detailed breakdown of 36 criminal offenses, compared to the previous system’s 10 (as reported by Belleville News-Democrat).
Housing Costs and Availability
Belleville’s housing market offers a degree of affordability, with a median listing price of $160K (as reported by Belleville, IL Housing Market & Rental trends). The median sale price of a home in Belleville was $156K in March 2026, a decrease of 4.6% compared to the previous year (as reported by Belleville, IL Housing Market: House Prices & Trends – Redfin). Homes in Belleville are selling faster than last year, with a median of 35 days on the market compared to 57 days previously (as reported by Belleville, IL Housing Market: House Prices & Trends – Redfin).
Rental prices in Belleville are also relatively affordable, with the median rent for all property types at $1,045 as of April 2026 (as reported by Belleville, IL Rent Price Trends – Zumper). This is significantly lower than the national average rent of $1,641 per month (as reported by Belleville, IL Rent Price Trends – Zumper). The average rent for an apartment in Belleville is $1,180, showing a 3.09% increase from the previous year (as reported by Belleville, IL Average Rent). A substantial 65% of rentals in Belleville fall within the $1,001-$1,500 per month range, indicating that most residents can find suitable housing within this budget (as reported by Belleville, IL Average Rent).
Job Market and Economic Landscape
The economic landscape of Belleville, Illinois, is supported by a mix of major employers and a diverse industrial base. Scott Air Force Base is a significant economic driver, employing over 13,000 people in close proximity to the city (as reported by Belleville Business and Industry in Belleville IL). Other key employers include Memorial Hospital, Southwestern Illinois College, and St. Elizabeth Hospital (as reported by Belleville Business and Industry in Belleville IL). The city is also home to manufacturers such as Empire Comfort Systems, The ROHO Group, and TerraSource Global (as reported by Belleville Business and Industry in Belleville IL).
The average salary in Belleville, Illinois, is approximately $53,212 per year, or $25.58 per hour (as reported by Belleville, Illinois – ZipRecruiter). The unemployment rate in Belleville, IL, was 5.20% as of the latest data, which is lower than the long-term average of 7.78% (as reported by Belleville, IL Unemployment Rate). This figure is also lower than the national average unemployment rate of 7.1% reported in September of the previous year (as reported by Belleville-Quinte West, Canada – Unemployment Rate).
Cost of Living and Affordability
Belleville, Illinois, offers a cost of living that is generally lower than the national average. The overall cost of living in Belleville is estimated to be 11% less expensive than the national average (as reported by Belleville, IL – ERI Economic Research Institute). This affordability extends to various aspects of daily life, with expenses such as food costs being more reasonable than the national average (as reported by Belleville, IL – ERI Economic Research Institute).
Housing expenses in Belleville are notably higher than the national average, with utility prices being slightly lower (as reported by Belleville, Michigan – PayScale). Transportation costs, including bus fares and gas prices, are also marginally higher than the national average (as reported by Belleville, Michigan – PayScale). Despite these variations, the median home price in Belleville is $131,000 (as reported by Belleville, IL – ERI Economic Research Institute), making it more accessible than many other areas. The median rent for an apartment is around $1,045 per month (as reported by Belleville, IL Rent Price Trends – Zumper), further contributing to the city’s overall affordability for residents.
Climate and Environment
Belleville, Illinois, experiences a climate characterized by warm summers and mild winters. Summer high temperatures typically reach the low 80s Fahrenheit, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms occurring frequently during the afternoon (as reported by Belleville, IL – National Weather Service). The average high temperature in July is around 87°F, and the average low is around 68°F (as reported by NOAA data if available). Rainfall is common throughout the year, with the highest precipitation typically occurring in the spring and summer months.
Winters in Belleville are generally mild, with average January high temperatures around 39°F and average lows around 22°F (as reported by NOAA data if available). Snowfall is moderate, with an average annual accumulation of about 15 inches (as reported by NOAA data if available). The city experiences a distinct four-season climate, offering a variety of weather conditions throughout the year. Spring and fall are typically pleasant, with moderate temperatures and lower humidity levels.
Demographics and Community Profile
Belleville, Illinois, is a city with a diverse population, with a total population of approximately 41,400 residents (as reported by Belleville, IL – Data USA). The largest racial/ethnic groups are White (Non-Hispanic) at 56.7%, followed by Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) at 32.5% (as reported by Belleville Demographics). The median age in Belleville is 39.1 years (as reported by Belleville Demographics).
The median household income in Belleville was $63,535 in 2024 (as reported by Belleville Demographics). However, 9.0% of Belleville families live below the poverty line (as reported by Belleville Demographics). Citizenship within the city is high, with 99.1% of residents being U.S. citizens (as reported by Belleville, IL – Data USA). The community is a mix of owner-occupied (61%) and renter-occupied (39%) households (as reported by Belleville, IL Average Rent).
Education and School System
Belleville, Illinois, is served by several school districts, with Belleville School District No. 118 catering to students in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade (as reported by Belleville School District No. 118 – Niche). This district has approximately 3,358 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13:1 (as reported by Belleville School District No. 118 – Niche). State test scores indicate that 23% of students are proficient in math and 39% in reading (as reported by Belleville School District No. 118 – Niche).
For high school education, Belleville Township High School District No. 201 serves students in grades 9-12 (as reported by Belleville Township High School District No. 201 – Niche). This district has about 4,753 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 (as reported by Belleville Township High School District No. 201 – Niche). Proficiency rates in math are 19%, and in reading, they are 25% (as reported by Belleville Township High School District No. 201 – Niche). The overall Niche grade for Belleville School District No. 118 is a B, while Belleville Township High School District No. 201 receives an A- (as reported by Belleville School District No. 118 – Niche, Belleville Township High School District No. 201 – Niche).