Is Jacksonville or Joliet Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Joliet is safer than Jacksonville (Safety Score 53/100 vs 30/100), with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100,000 versus 2,406 for Jacksonville — 34% lower. Jacksonville has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Joliet has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 8.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Jacksonville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Jacksonville, IL
Joliet, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Jacksonville | Joliet | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,406.3 | 1,594.6 | +811.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 303.7 | 350.0 | -46.3 |
| Murder Rate | 11.7 | 0.0 | +11.7 |
| Rape Rate | 81.8 | 48.5 | +33.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 29.2 | 35.2 | -6.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 181.1 | 266.3 | -85.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,102.6 | 1,244.6 | +858.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 461.4 | 389.9 | +71.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,489.3 | 704.0 | +785.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 151.9 | 150.8 | +1.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jacksonville or Joliet safer?
Joliet is safer with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100K vs 2,406 for Jacksonville — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Jacksonville has a violent crime rate of 303.7 per 100K while Joliet has 350.0. Jacksonville has lower violent crime.
About Jacksonville, IL
Jacksonville, Illinois, a city of 17,000 in Morgan County, is home to Illinois College, founded in 1829. It sits on the historic alignment of U.S. Route 67, roughly 35 miles west of Springfield. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 17,122, Jacksonville has a total crime rate of 2,406.3 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.