Is Joliet or Ottawa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Joliet is safer than Ottawa (Safety Score 53/100 vs 50/100), with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100,000 versus 1,683 for Ottawa — 5% lower. Joliet has higher rates in 2 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ottawa has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 8.0x 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
Ottawa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet, IL
Ottawa, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joliet | Ottawa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,594.6 | 1,682.5 | -87.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 350.0 | 187.0 | +163.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 64.1 | -15.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.2 | 5.3 | +29.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.3 | 117.5 | +148.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,244.6 | 1,495.6 | -251.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 389.9 | 288.4 | +101.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 704.0 | 1,116.3 | -412.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.8 | 90.8 | +60.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet or Ottawa safer?
Joliet is safer with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100K vs 1,683 for Ottawa — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joliet has a violent crime rate of 350.0 per 100K while Ottawa has 187.0. Ottawa 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 Ottawa, IL
Ottawa, Illinois, nestled at the confluence of the Fox and Illinois Rivers, was the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate. This LaSalle County seat has a population of around 18,000. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 18,722, Ottawa has a total crime rate of 1,682.5 per 100,000 residents.