Is Joliet or Westchester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Westchester is safer than Joliet (Safety Score 86/100 vs 53/100), with a total crime rate of 681 per 100,000 versus 1,595 for Joliet — 57% lower. Joliet has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Westchester has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 9.5x 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
Westchester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet, IL
Westchester, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joliet | Westchester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,594.6 | 681.1 | +913.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 350.0 | 56.8 | +293.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 6.3 | +42.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.2 | 25.2 | +10.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.3 | 25.2 | +241.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,244.6 | 624.4 | +620.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 389.9 | 63.1 | +326.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 704.0 | 422.6 | +281.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.8 | 138.8 | +12.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet or Westchester safer?
Westchester is safer with a total crime rate of 681 per 100K vs 1,595 for Joliet — a 57% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joliet has a violent crime rate of 350.0 per 100K while Westchester has 56.8. Westchester 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 Westchester, IL
Westchester, a western Chicago suburb, is home to Wolf Road Prairie, a significant remnant of Illinois' original tallgrass prairie ecosystem. This residential community primarily comprises single-family homes, reflecting its mid-20th century development patterns. With a safety score of 86/100 and a population coverage of 15,856, Westchester has a total crime rate of 681.1 per 100,000 residents.