Is Joliet or Wheeling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wheeling is safer than Joliet (Safety Score 76/100 vs 53/100), with a total crime rate of 972 per 100,000 versus 1,595 for Joliet — 39% lower. Joliet has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Joliet has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 4.0x 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
Wheeling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet, IL
Wheeling, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joliet | Wheeling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,594.6 | 971.8 | +622.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 350.0 | 64.4 | +285.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.7 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 29.5 | +19.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.2 | 10.7 | +24.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.3 | 18.8 | +247.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,244.6 | 907.4 | +337.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 389.9 | 217.4 | +172.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 704.0 | 585.2 | +118.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.8 | 104.7 | +46.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet or Wheeling safer?
Wheeling is safer with a total crime rate of 972 per 100K vs 1,595 for Joliet — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joliet has a violent crime rate of 350.0 per 100K while Wheeling has 64.4. Wheeling 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 Wheeling, IL
Wheeling, Illinois, once home to a significant German immigrant population, is a village in Cook and Lake counties. Situated about 30 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, it is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 37,251, Wheeling has a total crime rate of 971.8 per 100,000 residents.