Is Charleston or Joliet Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Joliet is safer than Charleston (Safety Score 53/100 vs 36/100), with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100,000 versus 2,153 for Charleston — 26% lower. Charleston has higher rates in 2 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Charleston has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 8.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, IL
Joliet, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Joliet | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,152.5 | 1,594.6 | +557.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.7 | 350.0 | +9.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 123.8 | 48.5 | +75.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.9 | 35.2 | -29.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 230.0 | 266.3 | -36.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,792.8 | 1,244.6 | +548.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 607.4 | 389.9 | +217.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,114.6 | 704.0 | +410.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 70.8 | 150.8 | -80.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Joliet safer?
Joliet is safer with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100K vs 2,153 for Charleston — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 359.7 per 100K while Joliet has 350.0. Joliet has lower violent crime.
About Charleston, IL
Home to Eastern Illinois University, Charleston is a Central Illinois city with a population around 17,000. It's known for its historic town square and as the site of one of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 16,957, Charleston has a total crime rate of 2,152.5 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.