One of the biggest economic and cultural hotspots in the country is Chicago. Nonetheless, there is a reputation for crime and violence in some parts of the city.
With 2,746,388 residents, Chicago is a large, diversified city with a lot to offer. Sadly, though, the Windy City is notorious for having a high rate of violent crime. Chicago is roughly 67% more dangerous than the US as a whole. The city has a high rate of gun violence along with property and violent crimes.
Top 10 most dangerous neighborhoods: Chicago
1. Washington Park
Washington Park is the most dangerous neighborhood in Chicago. The rate of violent crime in this Chicago neighborhood is 701% higher than the national average. With 12,707 residents, Washington Park has a crime rate that is 297% greater than the national average. The highest rate of violent crimes, including robberies, assaults, and murders, makes Washington Park the riskiest neighborhood in Chicago.
2. West Garfield Park
West Garfield Park is another of Chicago’s riskiest neighborhoods. West Garfield Park, which is on Chicago’s South Side, has an abnormally high rate of violent crime. Residents of West Garfield Park face a 1 in 20 chance of becoming victims of a violent crime, with crime rates there 257% higher than those of the rest of the city. The high level of gang activity in West Garfield is the likely cause of the violent crimes committed there.
3. Englewood
Englewood is another of Chicago’s worst neighborhoods. There are 24,369 people living in this South Side neighborhood of Chicago. There are historically many people living below the poverty line in Englewood. The crime rate in Englewood was 125% higher in 2022 than the average for Chicago. Robbery, assault, and other violent crimes are frequent. Englewood is among the worst neighborhoods in Chicago for safety because of its high murder rate and frequency of gun violence.
4. North Lawndale
Another one of Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods is North Lawndale. On Chicago’s West Side, North Lawndale was a burgeoning community that saw significant growth before the 2008 recession hit. 34,794 people live in the neighborhood, and 70% of men in North Lawndale between the ages of 17 and 45 are thought to have criminal histories.
With 10,606 crimes per 100,000 residents, North Lawndale has a crime rate that is 198% higher than the Chicago average. This indicates that the likelihood of a resident becoming a victim of a crime is at least 1 in 9. Furthermore, there were 3,003 violent crime incidents for every 100,000 people in 2020, giving residents a 1 in 34 chance of falling victim to a violent crime.
5. East Garfield Park
Garfield Park, which is in West Chicago, has a history of having high rates of both property and violent crime. More than 2,800 violent crimes and more than 7,500 property crimes were reported in 2022. Gang activity and gun violence are issues in East Garfield. There were more than 77 shootings in the region in 2021.
10,195 crimes overall are committed for every 100,000 people. This indicates that residents of East Garfield Park have a 1 in 10 chance of becoming victims of any kind of crime. The number of property crimes per 100,000 people in 2020 was 7,117, which indicates that the likelihood of a resident becoming a victim of a property crime is 1 in 14. In the same year, there were 3,078 violent crimes for every 100,000 people. Meaning, citizens have a 1 in 33 chance of becoming the victims of a violent crime.
6. West Englewood
The population of West Englewood, which is in southwest Chicago, is 32,317. At 9,551 crimes per 100,000 residents, this neighborhood has twice the crime rate of Chicago.
With 2,773 violent crimes committed against every 100,000 residents in West Englewood, there is a 1 in 37 chance of becoming a victim there. There were 6,778 property crimes reported for every 100,000 people. This means that there is a 1 in 15 chance of becoming a victim of property crime. It is not advisable to travel alone at night in West Englewood due to the high rate of burglary, assault, and robbery.
7. Austin
Another neighborhood in Chicago that should be avoided is Austin. Austin, a neighborhood on Chicago’s west side, is among the most violent in the city. Austin was ranked 20th in property crime and 9th in violent crime in Chicago in 2022. In Chicago, Austin’s quality-of-life crimes (loitering, vagrancy, and unruly conduct) were ranked fifth that same year.
8. Grand Crossing
Grand Crossing, home to 31,471 people, is situated on Chicago’s South Side. In 2020, there were 8,724 criminal incidents for every 100,000 people. As a result, the neighborhood’s crime rate is 317% greater than the country’s.
Violent crime rates in 2020 were 2,858 incidents per 100,000 people. This neighborhood has a serious problem with gun violence, and locals frequently complain about hearing gunshots at night. Grand Crossing has 5,866 property crimes for every 100,000 residents, which means that there is a 1 in 18 risk that a resident will fall victim.
9. Riverdale
Given the high proportion of violent crime in the population, Riverdale is one of Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods. Situated on Chicago’s extreme south side, Riverdale recorded 7,682 crimes per 100,000 residents in 2021. Each resident has a one in 39 chance of becoming a victim due to the incredibly high rate of violent crime. Property crime is rife, accounting for 4,743 occurrences per 100,000 residents. As a result, the odds of falling victim to a property crime are 1 in 22.
10. South Shore
Situated on Chicago’s south side, South Shore is home to 54,000 people and is well-known for its Great Lakes beaches. In South Shore, there are 7,573 crimes committed for every 100,000 residents. This means that there is a 1 in 13 chance of becoming a victim of any kind of crime. At 2,454 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, assault and robbery are frequent occurrences. Gun violence and murder rates are significantly higher than the national average.
In South Shore, there are 5,120 property crimes for every 100,000 residents. This means that there is a 1 in 20 chance of becoming a victim of property crime.
Chicago is a sizable metropolis with a wide variety of neighborhoods. Chicago’s culture and identity have benefited greatly from the contributions of many of the neighborhoods on this list. But these neighborhoods have been consistently rated as some of the worst in the nation and as the most dangerous in Chicago. Consequently, it’s best to do your homework before making a purchase or renting a property to ensure that you don’t wind up in one of Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods. You may also inquire with the locals about their sense of safety if, even after reviewing the data, you’re still not sure.
