City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Joliet, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Joliet - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

149,785
Residents
$88,026
Median income
$248,600
Median home
$1,781
Median rent (state)

Joliet - the verdict

Nationally, Joliet sits in the 69th percentile for household income and the 43rd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

69th
percentile, household income
56th
percentile, home value
72nd
percentile, median rent
43rd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Joliet, IL

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 149,785 residents in Joliet, a mid-sized U.S. city within Illinois. The typical household in Joliet brings in $88,026 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.2%. Joliet's housing stock carries a median value of $248,600, and the median resident age is 35.3 years. 25.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 64.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 353 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 48% from five years earlier. Joliet reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1594.6 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Illinois at 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,781 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Illinois's average monthly utility costs around $240 (state average). Commute times here average 27.2 minutes, with 79.7% driving alone and 7.3% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 97.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

149,785 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$88,026 /yr

Poverty 9.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Joliet compare to other US cities?

Where Joliet sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 69% higher than other cities
Home value 56% pricier than other cities
Median rent 72% pricier than other cities
Safety 43% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Illinois, Joliet ranks #321 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Joliet against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Illinois only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Illinois-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Joliet toward the top of Illinois's cities

Among the 1,315 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Joliet ranks #233 - the 82nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Joliet only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#307 of 1,311
77th percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#17 of 1,336
77th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#233 of 1,315
82nd percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#516 of 1,335
61st percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#405 of 1,336
69th percentile in Illinois

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Illinois only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

69thIncome percentile
43rdSafety percentile

69th percentile nationally for median household income · 43rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Joliet's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Joliet's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 49 Avg. percentile National median
Joliet's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Joliet's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$248,600 44th percentile more affordable than 44% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Joliet $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Joliet, IL Joliet, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Joliet, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Joliet, IL median $88,026/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Joliet, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Joliet, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
149,785
Median Income
$88,026
Median Home Value
$248,600
Median Age
35.3
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Labor force participation
64.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1594.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
350.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1244.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
31
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
150,000 residents151,000 residents152,000 residents153,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 150,368 residents 152,241 residents ▲ +1.2%
Joliet's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
353
housing units authorized
Single-Family
143
detached homes
Multifamily
210
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 238
2020 318
2021 331
2022 273
2023 226
2024 353

Permit volume increased 48% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
27.2 minutes
Drive Alone
79.7%
Carpool
9.7%
Public Transit
1.6%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
7.3%
Other
0.9%

Based on 73,397 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Joliet sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,781/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Naperville
149,424 people
Rockford
147,649 people
Aurora
179,867 people
Elgin
114,106 people
Springfield
113,714 people
Peoria
112,126 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Joliet's 149,785 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Jackson, MS
149,827 people
Escondido, CA
149,913 people
Surprise, AZ
149,519 people
Pasadena, TX
149,345 people
Mesquite, TX
148,848 people
Pomona, CA
148,391 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Joliet's $88,026 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Coalfield, TN
$88,026 median income
Canton Valley, CT
$88,028 median income
Ocean View, DE
$88,021 median income
Hartline, WA
$88,036 median income
Charlos Heights, MT
$88,042 median income
Bogue, NC
$88,043 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Joliet, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Joliet, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 52.7% 17.0% 14.5% 13.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 34.7% White 52.7% Black or African American 17.0% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 14.5% Two or more races 13.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Joliet compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Joliet (this city) 149,785 $88,026
Naperville 149,424 $150,937
Rockford 147,649 $53,328
Aurora 179,867 $90,109
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Joliet, IL?

What is the population of Joliet, IL? +

Joliet, IL has a population of 149,785 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Joliet, IL? +

The median household income in Joliet is $88,026 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Joliet? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Joliet; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

Is Joliet, IL safe? +

Joliet has a total crime rate of 1594.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Joliet, IL? +

Homes in Joliet carry a median value of $248,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.