Is Joliet or Urbana Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Joliet is safer than Urbana (Safety Score 53/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100,000 versus 3,036 for Urbana — 47% lower. Joliet has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Joliet has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 3.9x 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
Urbana — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet, IL
Urbana, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joliet | Urbana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,594.6 | 3,036.3 | -1,441.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 350.0 | 544.5 | -194.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.6 | -2.6 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 55.0 | -6.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.2 | 81.1 | -45.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.3 | 405.7 | -139.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,244.6 | 2,491.9 | -1,247.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 389.9 | 486.9 | -97.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 704.0 | 1,740.7 | -1,036.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.8 | 264.4 | -113.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet or Urbana safer?
Joliet is safer with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100K vs 3,036 for Urbana — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joliet has a violent crime rate of 350.0 per 100K while Urbana has 544.5. Joliet 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 Urbana, IL
Urbana, Illinois, home to a significant portion of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a Midwestern city with a rich agricultural history. Located in east-central Illinois, it attracts a diverse student and research-oriented population. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 38,204, Urbana has a total crime rate of 3,036.3 per 100,000 residents.