Is Joliet or Palos Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palos Heights is safer than Joliet (Safety Score 77/100 vs 53/100), with a total crime rate of 925 per 100,000 versus 1,595 for Joliet — 42% lower. Joliet has higher rates in 1 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Palos Heights has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 13.3x 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
Palos Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet, IL
Palos Heights, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joliet | Palos Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,594.6 | 924.9 | +669.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 350.0 | 61.7 | +288.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 35.2 | +13.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.2 | 17.6 | +17.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.3 | 8.8 | +257.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,244.6 | 863.2 | +381.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 389.9 | 88.1 | +301.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 704.0 | 766.3 | -62.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.8 | 8.8 | +142.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet or Palos Heights safer?
Palos Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 925 per 100K vs 1,595 for Joliet — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joliet has a violent crime rate of 350.0 per 100K while Palos Heights has 61.7. Palos Heights 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 Palos Heights, IL
Palos Heights, a southwestern Chicago suburb, is home to Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens. This Cook County community, incorporated in 1959, features a mix of residential areas and local businesses. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 11,353, Palos Heights has a total crime rate of 924.9 per 100,000 residents.