Is Joliet or South Elgin Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, South Elgin is safer than Joliet (Safety Score 79/100 vs 53/100), with a total crime rate of 856 per 100,000 versus 1,595 for Joliet — 46% lower. Joliet has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where South Elgin has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 6.2x 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
South Elgin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet, IL
South Elgin, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joliet | South Elgin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,594.6 | 855.9 | +738.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 350.0 | 188.4 | +161.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 53.2 | -4.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.2 | 8.2 | +27.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.3 | 127.0 | +139.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,244.6 | 667.5 | +577.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 389.9 | 90.1 | +299.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 704.0 | 495.5 | +208.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.8 | 81.9 | +68.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet or South Elgin safer?
South Elgin is safer with a total crime rate of 856 per 100K vs 1,595 for Joliet — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joliet has a violent crime rate of 350.0 per 100K while South Elgin has 188.4. South Elgin 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 South Elgin, IL
South Elgin, a village along the Fox River in Kane County, was once home to the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin Railroad's main shops. Its population of over 23,000 residents enjoys a mix of suburban development and natural areas. With a safety score of 79/100 and a population coverage of 24,420, South Elgin has a total crime rate of 855.9 per 100,000 residents.