Is Joliet or Pontiac Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Joliet is safer than Pontiac (Safety Score 53/100 vs 53/100), with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100,000 versus 1,597 for Pontiac — 0% lower. Joliet has higher rates in 2 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Pontiac has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 13.7x 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
Pontiac — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet, IL
Pontiac, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joliet | Pontiac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,594.6 | 1,597.0 | -2.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 350.0 | 237.3 | +112.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 109.5 | -61.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.2 | 0.0 | +35.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.3 | 127.8 | +138.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,244.6 | 1,359.7 | -115.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 389.9 | 109.5 | +280.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 704.0 | 1,204.6 | -500.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.8 | 45.6 | +105.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet or Pontiac safer?
Joliet is safer with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100K vs 1,597 for Pontiac — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joliet has a violent crime rate of 350.0 per 100K while Pontiac has 237.3. Pontiac 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 Pontiac, IL
Pontiac, Illinois, the county seat of Livingston County, is a small city on the Vermilion River. It's home to several historic Route 66 attractions and has a population of around 11,000. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 10,958, Pontiac has a total crime rate of 1,597.0 per 100,000 residents.