Is Joliet or Wood River Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Joliet is safer than Wood River (Safety Score 53/100 vs 41/100), with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100,000 versus 1,987 for Wood River — 20% lower. Joliet has higher rates in 3 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Joliet has a 27% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 14.7x 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
Wood River — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet, IL
Wood River, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joliet | Wood River | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,594.6 | 1,987.1 | -392.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 350.0 | 274.1 | +75.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 107.7 | -59.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.2 | 29.4 | +5.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.3 | 137.0 | +129.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,244.6 | 1,713.0 | -468.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 389.9 | 391.5 | -1.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 704.0 | 1,204.0 | -500.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.8 | 117.5 | +33.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet or Wood River safer?
Joliet is safer with a total crime rate of 1,595 per 100K vs 1,987 for Wood River — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joliet has a violent crime rate of 350.0 per 100K while Wood River has 274.1. Wood River 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 Wood River, IL
Wood River, Illinois, a city in Madison County, was founded in 1907 due to the growth of the Standard Oil refinery. Situated along the Mississippi River, its population is approximately 10,000 residents. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 10,216, Wood River has a total crime rate of 1,987.1 per 100,000 residents.