Is Joliet or Oak Lawn Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Joliet is safer than Oak Lawn (Safety Score 53/100 vs 43/100), with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100,000 versus 1,907 for Oak Lawn — 16% lower. Joliet has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Joliet has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 2.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Joliet — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oak Lawn — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet, IL
Oak Lawn, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joliet | Oak Lawn | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,594.6 | 1,907.1 | -312.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 350.0 | 180.2 | +169.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.6 | -3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 36.4 | +12.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.2 | 43.7 | -8.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.3 | 96.5 | +169.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,244.6 | 1,726.9 | -482.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 389.9 | 343.9 | +45.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 704.0 | 1,155.5 | -451.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.8 | 227.5 | -76.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet or Oak Lawn safer?
Joliet is safer with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100K vs 1,907 for Oak Lawn — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joliet has a violent crime rate of 350.0 per 100K while Oak Lawn has 180.2. Oak Lawn has lower violent crime.
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.
About Oak Lawn, IL
Oak Lawn, a southwestern suburb of Chicago, is known for its annual fall parade. This village in Cook County is largely residential, with a diverse population. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 54,953, Oak Lawn has a total crime rate of 1,907.1 per 100,000 residents.