Will County Crime Rates & Safety Overview

With a population topping 708,000, Will County contains a wide range of communities that differ sharply in size, character, and safety. Some of the Chicago metro's quietest suburbs sit just a few miles from the county's more urban corridors. That contrast matters if you're weighing a move or simply want to understand how your town compares.

Rather than reducing the entire county to a single number, it helps to look at where crime actually concentrates and which neighborhoods have maintained strong safety records year after year. The data tells a more nuanced story than most people expect.

Overall Crime Statistics

Will County's aggregate crime rates fall below the Illinois state average for both violent and property offenses. Property crime—burglary, theft, vehicle break-ins—accounts for the bulk of reported incidents, which tracks with national patterns. Violent crime exists but at rates considerably lower than Cook County or the state as a whole.

Joliet, as the largest city with roughly 150,000 residents, drives a disproportionate share of countywide numbers. Strip Joliet out of the equation and the remaining suburbs post remarkably low figures. That doesn't mean Joliet is unsafe across the board—more on that below—but it does skew the countywide averages in ways that can mislead people comparing Will County to smaller counties with no major city.

The suburban communities surrounding Joliet consistently report fewer than 1 violent crime per 1,000 residents. Property crime rates in these same towns run 30-50% below national averages. For families moving from Cook County or the city of Chicago, the difference is tangible and immediate.

Safest Communities in Will County

Several Will County towns regularly appear on statewide and national safety rankings. Their track records aren't flukes—they reflect well-funded police departments, engaged residents, and community designs that naturally discourage crime.

1. Frankfort — Consistently rated the safest community in Will County by multiple ranking services. Violent crime here is nearly nonexistent, and property crime stays well below state averages. The town's compact, walkable downtown feels safe at any hour. Families with young children cite Frankfort's safety record as a primary reason for choosing it over neighboring towns.
2. Mokena — A population around 20,000 helps Mokena maintain a small-town feel where neighbors actually know each other. Crime rates mirror Frankfort's low numbers. The village invests in community policing, and the tight geography means response times are short. Kids walk to school here without parents thinking twice about it.
3. New Lenox — Excellent safety numbers despite steady population growth over the past decade. New Lenox has managed to expand its residential base while keeping crime well below regional averages. The police department runs active outreach programs and maintains visible patrol presence in commercial areas along Route 30.
4. Homer Glen — The rural-suburban mix works in Homer Glen's favor. Lower density, larger lots, and a community that skews toward established families all contribute to a very safe environment. Reported crime here is minimal by any measure.
5. Lockport — This historic canal town posts crime figures below both state and national averages. The revitalized downtown along State Street sees regular foot traffic from residents and visitors, which itself serves as a natural deterrent. Lockport's size—around 25,000—keeps it manageable for local law enforcement.
6. Plainfield — One of the fastest-growing communities in the county, Plainfield has managed to scale without a corresponding jump in crime. Newer subdivisions benefit from modern infrastructure and active homeowner associations. The village regularly lands on "safest suburbs" lists despite its expanding population.

Joliet Crime Rates

Joliet deserves its own section because the city's size and diversity create a safety picture that one statistic can't capture. As the county seat and an urban center with real economic variety, Joliet reports higher overall crime rates than surrounding suburbs. That's expected for any city of 150,000.

What matters more is where crime concentrates. The east side and certain pockets near downtown account for a disproportionate share of incidents. Meanwhile, west Joliet neighborhoods—particularly areas bordering Plainfield and Shorewood—post safety numbers comparable to the suburban communities listed above. Families in these western sections rarely encounter the issues that dominate Joliet's reputation.

The city has also made meaningful progress. Targeted policing strategies, community intervention programs, and economic development along the Route 59 corridor have contributed to declining crime trends over recent years. Joliet isn't the same city it was a decade ago, and residents in the right neighborhoods live as comfortably as their counterparts in Mokena or New Lenox.

How to Stay Informed

Staying aware of local safety conditions doesn't require constant monitoring, but a few reliable sources go a long way:

• Will County Sheriff's Office — Publishes incident reports and maintains a public crime map covering unincorporated areas and county-level data.
• Local police department websites — Most Will County municipalities post monthly or quarterly crime reports. Frankfort, Mokena, and Plainfield all maintain accessible public safety pages.
• Community watch programs — Several towns run formal neighborhood watch groups coordinated through their police departments. These programs have measurably reduced property crime in participating areas.
• Nextdoor app — Useful for real-time neighborhood-level reports, though take individual posts with appropriate skepticism. The app works best for identifying patterns rather than reacting to isolated incidents.