Is Crystal Lake or Joliet Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Crystal Lake is safer than Joliet (Safety Score 66/100 vs 53/100), with a total crime rate of 1,208 per 100,000 versus 1,595 for Joliet — 24% lower. Crystal Lake has lower rates in 5 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Crystal Lake has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 3.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Crystal Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Crystal Lake, IL
Joliet, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Crystal Lake | Joliet | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,207.6 | 1,594.6 | -387.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 104.7 | 350.0 | -245.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 48.7 | 48.5 | +0.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.9 | 35.2 | -30.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 51.1 | 266.3 | -215.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,102.9 | 1,244.6 | -141.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 102.3 | 389.9 | -287.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 927.6 | 704.0 | +223.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.0 | 150.8 | -77.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crystal Lake or Joliet safer?
Crystal Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,208 per 100K vs 1,595 for Joliet — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Crystal Lake has a violent crime rate of 104.7 per 100K while Joliet has 350.0. Crystal Lake has lower violent crime.
About Crystal Lake, IL
Crystal Lake, Illinois, a city named for its spring-fed lake, is home to over 40,000 residents in McHenry County. It was originally two separate communities, Nunda and Crystal Lake, before consolidating. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 41,074, Crystal Lake has a total crime rate of 1,207.6 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.