Is Joliet or River Forest Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Joliet is safer than River Forest (Safety Score 53/100 vs 27/100), with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100,000 versus 2,563 for River Forest — 38% lower. Joliet has lower rates in 4 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where River Forest has a 74% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 13.6x 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
River Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet, IL
River Forest, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joliet | River Forest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,594.6 | 2,563.2 | -968.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 350.0 | 90.3 | +259.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 0.0 | +48.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.2 | 45.1 | -9.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.3 | 45.1 | +221.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,244.6 | 2,472.9 | -1,228.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 389.9 | 577.6 | -187.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 704.0 | 1,841.2 | -1,137.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.8 | 54.2 | +96.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet or River Forest safer?
Joliet is safer with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100K vs 2,563 for River Forest — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joliet has a violent crime rate of 350.0 per 100K while River Forest has 90.3. River Forest 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 River Forest, IL
River Forest is an affluent, tree-lined Chicago suburb known for its historic architecture, including numerous Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Situated along the Des Plaines River, it boasts a highly educated population. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 11,080, River Forest has a total crime rate of 2,563.2 per 100,000 residents.