Is Carbondale or Joliet Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Joliet is safer than Carbondale (Safety Score 53/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100,000 versus 4,690 for Carbondale — 66% lower. Carbondale has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Joliet has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 7.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Carbondale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carbondale, IL
Joliet, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carbondale | Joliet | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,689.7 | 1,594.6 | +3,095.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,004.9 | 350.0 | +654.9 |
| Murder Rate | 9.3 | 0.0 | +9.3 |
| Rape Rate | 237.3 | 48.5 | +188.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 111.7 | 35.2 | +76.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 646.7 | 266.3 | +380.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,684.8 | 1,244.6 | +2,440.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,093.3 | 389.9 | +703.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,242.5 | 704.0 | +1,538.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 348.9 | 150.8 | +198.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carbondale or Joliet safer?
Joliet is safer with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100K vs 4,690 for Carbondale — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carbondale has a violent crime rate of 1,004.9 per 100K while Joliet has 350.0. Joliet has lower violent crime.
About Carbondale, IL
Nestled in Southern Illinois, Carbondale is a university town, home to Southern Illinois University. Its early development was tied to the Illinois Central Railroad, and it's surrounded by Shawnee National Forest. The population is diverse, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 21,494, Carbondale has a total crime rate of 4,689.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Joliet, IL
Joliet, a former steel town on the Des Plaines River, boasts the historic Rialto Square Theatre. This city southwest of Chicago has a diverse population, with a significant Hispanic community. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 150,569, Joliet has a total crime rate of 1,594.6 per 100,000 residents.