Is Galesburg or Joliet Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Joliet is safer than Galesburg (Safety Score 53/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100,000 versus 3,478 for Galesburg — 54% lower. Galesburg has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Joliet has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 5.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Galesburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Galesburg, IL
Joliet, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Galesburg | Joliet | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,478.4 | 1,594.6 | +1,883.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 512.8 | 350.0 | +162.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.9 | 0.0 | +6.9 |
| Rape Rate | 145.5 | 48.5 | +97.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 20.8 | 35.2 | -14.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 339.5 | 266.3 | +73.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,965.6 | 1,244.6 | +1,721.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 724.1 | 389.9 | +334.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,068.3 | 704.0 | +1,364.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 173.2 | 150.8 | +22.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Galesburg or Joliet safer?
Joliet is safer with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100K vs 3,478 for Galesburg — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Galesburg has a violent crime rate of 512.8 per 100K while Joliet has 350.0. Joliet has lower violent crime.
About Galesburg, IL
Galesburg, Illinois, a city in Knox County, is known as the birthplace of Carl Sandburg. Situated in west-central Illinois, its population is around 30,000. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 28,864, Galesburg has a total crime rate of 3,478.4 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.