Is Joliet or Wheaton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wheaton is safer than Joliet (Safety Score 89/100 vs 53/100), with a total crime rate of 593 per 100,000 versus 1,595 for Joliet — 63% lower. Joliet has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Wheaton has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 2.9x 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
Wheaton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet, IL
Wheaton, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joliet | Wheaton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,594.6 | 592.6 | +1,002.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 350.0 | 51.3 | +298.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 26.6 | +21.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.2 | 5.7 | +29.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.3 | 17.1 | +249.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,244.6 | 541.3 | +703.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 389.9 | 93.1 | +296.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 704.0 | 425.5 | +278.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.8 | 22.8 | +128.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet or Wheaton safer?
Wheaton is safer with a total crime rate of 593 per 100K vs 1,595 for Joliet — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joliet has a violent crime rate of 350.0 per 100K while Wheaton has 51.3. Wheaton 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 Wheaton, IL
Wheaton, a DuPage County seat, is a western suburb of Chicago known for Wheaton College. Its affluent, educated population enjoys a mix of historic homes and modern developments. With a safety score of 89/100 and a population coverage of 52,649, Wheaton has a total crime rate of 592.6 per 100,000 residents.