Chicago, a renowned cultural and economic hub in America, possesses a vibrant atmosphere and diverse population. Nonetheless, certain regions within the city have gained notoriety for their crime and violence. In the following paragraphs, you will discover information about the ten neighborhoods in Chicago that are considered the most dangerous.
With a population of 2,746,388, Chicago is a sprawling metropolis that offers a multitude of opportunities. Regrettably, the city has gained a reputation for its elevated rates of violent crime.
On average, Chicago is approximately 67% more dangerous than the national average in the United States. The city faces challenges related to both violent crimes and property crimes, including a significant occurrence of gun violence.
10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Chicago
- West Garfield Park
- Washington Park
- Austin
- East Garfield Park
- Englewood
- North Lawndale
- Grand Crossing
West Garfield Park
West Garfield Park, situated on Chicago’s South Side, is recognized as the most perilous neighborhood in the city. It exhibits a significantly elevated rate of violent crimes.
In fact, the crime rate in West Garfield Park is 257% higher compared to the rest of the city, resulting in residents facing a 1 in 20 likelihood of falling victim to violent offenses. The prevalence of gangs in the area is a major contributing factor to the high levels of violent crime in West Garfield Park.
Washington Park
Washington Park is recognized as one of the most perilous neighborhoods in Chicago, primarily due to its exceedingly elevated levels of violent crime. The area exhibits a violent crime rate that surpasses the national average by a staggering 701%.
With a population of 12,707, Washington Park also experiences an overall crime rate that is 297% higher than the national average. Disturbingly, incidents of severe violent crimes such as murder, robbery, and assault are prevalent in this neighborhood, rendering it one of the least safe areas in Chicago.
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Austin
Austin, situated in the western part of Chicago, is known to be one of the most crime-ridden neighborhoods in the city. According to the statistics from 2022, Austin held the 11th position in terms of violent crime and the 25th position in property crime among all the neighborhoods in Chicago. Additionally, it ranked 5th in quality-of-life crimes such as loitering, vagrancy, and unruly conduct.
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East Garfield Park
Garfield Park, located in West Chicago, has a long-standing issue with high rates of violent and property crimes. In the year 2022 alone, there were more than 2,800 reported cases of violent crime and over 6,500 instances of property crime.
East Garfield specifically faces challenges related to gun violence and gang activity, with over 77 shootings occurring in the area in 2021.
The overall crime rate in Garfield Park stands at 10,195 crimes per 100,000 people. This means that residents of East Garfield Park have approximately a 1 in 10 chance of falling victim to any form of crime.
In terms of property crimes, the rate was 7,117 per 100,000 people in 2020, resulting in residents facing a 1 in 14 chance of experiencing a property crime. As for violent crimes, there were 3,078 incidents per 100,000 people in the same year, indicating that residents had a 1 in 33 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
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Englewood
Englewood, situated in the South Side of Chicago, is recognized as one of the most troubled areas in the city. With a population of 24,369, this neighborhood has long been grappling with significant poverty levels.
In 2022, Englewood’s crime rate surpassed the Chicago average by 125%, with frequent incidents of violent crimes such as robbery, assault, and burglary. Moreover, the community faces persistently high rates of homicides and gun-related violence.
North Lawndale
North Lawndale, located on Chicago’s West Side, is considered one of the most dangerous areas in the city. It was once a thriving neighborhood that experienced growth and development, but unfortunately, it faced significant challenges during the 2008 recession.
The population of North Lawndale currently stands at 34,794 residents, and an estimated 70% of men between the ages of 17 and 45 in this area have criminal records.
When compared to the average crime rate in Chicago, North Lawndale’s crime rate is significantly higher, with a staggering 198% increase. This translates to approximately 10,606 crimes occurring per 100,000 people.
In practical terms, this means that residents of North Lawndale face a 1 in 9 chance of falling victim to some form of crime. Furthermore, the number of violent crime incidents in 2020 alone reached 3,003 per 100,000 people, resulting in residents having a 1 in 34 chance of becoming victims of violent crimes.
Grand Crossing
Grand Crossing is situated in the South Side of Chicago and has a population of 31,471 residents. The crime rate in this neighborhood for the year 2020 was 8,724 incidents per 100,000 people. This means that the crime rate in Grand Crossing is 317% higher than the national average.
Specifically, the number of violent crimes reported in 2020 was 2,858 incidents per 100,000 people. One of the major concerns in this neighborhood is gun violence, with residents frequently expressing their discomfort due to hearing gunshots at night. Additionally, the rate of property crime in Grand Crossing is 5,866 incidents per 100,000 people. This implies that residents have a 1 in 18 chance of falling victim to property crime.
