Is Romeoville Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Romeoville, Ilinois, is a primarily residential section of the Chicago suburbs nestled between the bigger cities of Joliet and Naperville.

The name comes from the Shakespeare play Romeo & Juliet, as one of the founders thought that Romeoville would be an excellent name for a city.

The village holds almost 41,000 people and is home to Lewis University.

It sits south of I-55, and most of the hotels are grouped along that interstate, making for easy travel through Chicagoland.

The city’s nickname is “Stone City” for the once busy quarry industry.

Today, it’s primarily a residential area with basic shopping amenities, parks, and an executive airport named after the university.

As a dedicated storm chaser in my spare time, I know Romeoville as the current office for the National Weather Center in the Chicago area.

You can see the Doppler Radar that provides critical weather data to the region from the airport or the parking lot of the NWS Office.

Warnings & Dangers in Romeoville

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low overall risk in Romeoville, but there's also not a whole lot to do. The crime rates are all substantially lower than state and national averages.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Since 2018, Metra has provided rail line service to Chicago at a stop in Romeoville. You can also call a taxi or rideshare. There's low risk with any option.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk of getting pickpocketed here. The theft rate is half the national average. There aren't really a lot of spots where you could be in a big enough crowd to not notice a wallet taken or purse snatched. You should still use standard safety practices, like not leaving your purse on the back of a chair while dining.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium risk throughout each season. The latest tornado reported was in June of 2021, and severe thunderstorms happen mainly in spring but also extend into summer and fall. Winter is going to bring snow and extreme cold at times.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There's a low risk. 11 robberies were reported in 2020, which is 37% lower than the national average. Illinois has seen increased gun violence, so you really can't be too careful here, even in a safe community.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium risk simply because Romeoville is part of one of the largest population centers in the country. Romeoville itself wouldn't be a hard target. You can review an emergency management plan on the city's website before visiting.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There is a list of the most common scams on the police department's website for review. One that stands out to impact a tourist potentially is called the Pigeon Drop Scam. This often happens in California, too. This generally involved a Hispanic or Latino person claiming to be an illegal immigrant with a winning lottery ticket. Since they aren't a legal resident, they need help claiming the ticket. They ask you to put in some of your own money. A bait and switch happens, and the victim is left with nothing but a bag of shredded paper with their cash, and the suspect is long gone.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here, but the sexual assault rate is a bit higher than the national average. It's a good idea to use extra caution if you're enjoying a bottle of wine with dinner or walking around at night. Stay in well-lit areas and don't go anywhere private with a stranger.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The water utility says the water meets all required standards and is tested around the clock every day of the year, including holidays. So that's a low risk.

Safest Places to Visit in Romeoville

Deer Crossing Park is a popular place for traditional park activities, but there is also an amphitheater there.

You should check the schedule closer to your visit dates to see what’s happening.

During summer, there are also movie nights where you can watch a flick under the stars.

The Isle a la Cache Museum celebrates and honors the natural history of this region and the many cultures that once called it home.

You can learn about the Native Americans who lived here before the French explorers showed up.

Artifacts and exhibits show how basic chores and tasks were completed in the 1800s.

Don’t miss saying hello to Taco, the resident turtle.

Afterward, you can explore the 100 acres of land at the preserve along the Des Plaines River.

The Beller Museum showcases some of the best old cars and trucks since the invention of the automobile.

You can explore some machinery from eras gone by, like a 1932 lawnmower.

You do need to call ahead before visiting this museum.

O’Hare Woods Preserve offers walking, biking, or snowshoeing trails, and it is open throughout the year.

Nearby Lake Strini is more than a park with a lake.

It has a butterfly garden, a nature center, several prime fishing spots, and a walkway across the lake.

Head about eight miles east along the river and you’ll find The Forge Lemont Quarries.

This is like a super adventure that includes foam swords, ziplines, laser tag, and axe throwing – and that’s just to warm you up!

There are also water sports and biking trails, from casual to extreme.

Places to Avoid in Romeoville

There aren’t any bad neighborhoods or parts of town that are too dangerous to visit.

I will say that once you are south of West 135th Street, there’s not much to see but the university, airports, and more neighborhoods.

I’ve read many reports that complain about the traffic in Romeoville, but in all honesty, I don’t think I’ve seen a community yet that doesn’t complain about traffic.

This is a dense suburban area surrounded by even more dense suburban areas, so there’s going to be traffic anywhere you go.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Romeoville

So... How Safe Is Romeoville Really?

Romeoville is almost twice as safe as the average city when you look at the crime data.

The violent crime rate is especially low, with a risk of just one in 554.

The theft risk is one in 145, which is also low.

Many cities I’ve researched average a violent crime risk of around one in 200 and a theft risk of around one in 50.

The one number that is a little concerning is the higher sexual assault rating being higher than the national average.

The way data is reported, there aren’t clear details about which assaults are domestic and which have strangers as victims.

I’d use extra caution if you’re going to be going around alone, meet someone online, or enjoy a night out on the town.

Romeoville is more of a place to rest to enjoy the wider expanse of the suburbs around it, and it won’t keep you busy for a week-long vacation.

There are other safe communities with a lot more to do than Romeo currently provides.

How Does Romeoville Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You'll need your Visa at the airport when you get off the plane and go through Customs. You don't need it to travel between the many cities in Chicagoland.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the only currency accepted here. You should always use a credit card so you can track spending and there's very little reason to carry cash around here.

Weather

You should dress in layers throughout the year, as temperatures can have wild swings even in spring and fall. Summers are mostly going to be warm to hot with an excess of humidity. You should bring comfortable walking shoes and hiking boots if you are going into the wilderness areas.

Airports

You can get to both O'Hare International and Midway International airports in under an hour. O'Hare is the biggest airport, but both offer a wide variety of destinations.

Travel Insurance

You'll want travel insurance for a trip where the weather can quickly escalate to create travel delays and cancellations.

Romeoville Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Illinois - Safety by City