List Of Top10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Chicago (2023)

Chicago is renowned for its remarkable cultural significance and thriving economy. Nonetheless, certain city regions are notorious for their high crime rates and violence. This article will explore the top ten most hazardous neighbourhoods in Chicago.

Chicago is a city of great diversity, home to over 2.7 million people. While it has much to offer, it’s unfortunate that Chicago is known for its high violent crime rates. The city’s crime rate is about 67% higher than the national average. Property and violent crimes are prevalent in Chicago, with gun violence being a particularly significant issue.

10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Chicago

1. Washington Park

Washington Park is considered the most challenging neighbourhood in Chicago due to its high violent crime rate. Shockingly, the rate is 701% higher than the national average. The population of Washington Park is 12,707, and the overall crime rate is 297% higher than the national average. The prevalence of violent crimes such as murder, robbery, and assault is alarmingly high in this area, making it the most hazardous part of Chicago.

2. West Garfield Park

West Garfield Park, situated on Chicago’s South Side, is considered one of the most challenging neighbourhoods in the city. This area has an alarmingly high violent crime rate, 257% higher than the city’s average. Shockingly, residents of West Garfield Park have a 1 in 20 chance of falling prey to violent crime. The primary reason behind this high violent crime rate is the region’s gang activity.

3. Englewood

Englewood, located in Chicago’s South Side, is one of the most dangerous areas in the city. With a population of 24,369, this neighbourhood has a long-standing issue of poverty and a high percentage of residents living below the poverty line. In 2022, Englewood’s crime rate was 125% higher than the Chicago average, with incidents of violent crimes like robbery, assault, and theft being common. The area is notorious for its high murder rates and gun violence incidents, making Englewood one of Chicago’s most unsafe neighbourhoods.

4. North Lawndale

North Lawndale is a neighbourhood located on Chicago’s West Side that has unfortunately gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous places in the city. Once a growing and developing community, North Lawndale was hit hard by the 2008 recession and has struggled to recover. With a population of 34,794 residents, it’s estimated that a staggering 70% of men aged 17-45 in North Lawndale have criminal records. This has contributed to the neighbourhood’s reputation for being a high-crime area.

The North Lawndale area of Chicago is unfortunately known for having a much higher crime rate than the city average. The site has a staggering crime rate of 10,606 incidents per 100,000 people, 198% higher than the Chicago average. This means that residents face a 1 in 9 chance of becoming victims of crime. Even more alarming, there were 3,003 violent crime incidents per 100,000 people in 2020, leaving residents with a 1 in 34 chance of being a victim of a violent crime. It’s a concerning reality for those who call North Lawndale home.

5. East Garfield Park

Garfield Park, situated in West Chicago, has a notorious reputation for having a high rate of violent and property crimes in its history. Shockingly, 2022 witnessed over 2,800 violent crime cases and more than 7,500 instances of property crime. The area of East Garfield is particularly plagued with gun violence and gang activity, evident from the alarming statistics of over 77 shootings in 2021.

East Garfield Park has a crime rate of 10,195 crimes per 100,000 people. This means there is a 1 in 10 chance of residents becoming victims of any crime. In 2020, the rate of property crimes was 7,117 per 100,000 people, making the chance of becoming a victim of property crime 1 in 14. Meanwhile, the rate of violent crimes was 3,078 per 100,000 people, resulting in a 1 in 33 chance of residents becoming victims of violent crime. These statistics highlight the importance of taking necessary precautions to ensure safety in East Garfield Park.

6. West Englewood

West Englewood, situated in southwest Chicago, is home to around 32,317 residents. Unfortunately, this neighbourhood has a high crime rate, with a staggering 9,551 crimes per 100,000 people – twice the average rate in Chicago.

West Englewood has a high violent crime rate, with 2,773 violent crimes per 100,000 people. This means that the likelihood of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 37. Additionally, there were 6,778 property crimes reported per 100,000 people, making the chances of becoming a victim of property crime 1 in 15. Burglary, assault, and robbery are frequently reported in this area, so it is not recommended to travel alone at night.

7. Austin

Regarding Chicago neighbourhoods to avoid, Austin is definitely on the list. Positioned on the West side of Chicago, Austin has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in terms of crime. According to recent statistics from 2022, Austin ranked 9th in violent crime and 20th in property crime in Chicago. Additionally, the same year, Austin ranked 5th in quality-of-life crimes such as loitering, vagrancy, and unruly conduct.

8. Grand Crossing

Located on the South Side of Chicago, Grand Crossing has a population of 31,471. Unfortunately, this area’s crime rate was 8,724 incidents per 100,000 people in 2020. This means that the crime rate in Grand Crossing is a staggering 317% higher than the national average. Residents and visitors need to take precautions and stay vigilant to stay safe in this neighbourhood.

According to the latest statistics, Grand Crossing witnessed 2,858 incidents of violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2020. Gun violence is a persistent issue in this locality, with residents frequently reporting hearing gunshots at night. The property crime rate is equally alarming, with 5,866 incidents per 100,000 people, resulting in an unfortunate 1 in 18 chance of falling prey to such crimes. The residents of Grand Crossing are rightfully concerned and demand immediate action to ensure their safety.

9. Riverdale 

Located on the far South end of Chicago, Riverdale is notorious for its high rate of violent crimes in proportion to the area’s population, making it one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in the city. In 2021, there were approximately 7,682 crimes per 100,000 people, with an extremely high rate of violent crimes. Shockingly, each resident has a 1 in 39 chance of becoming a victim of violent crimes. Property crimes are also rampant, with 4,743 incidents per 100,000 people, making the chances of becoming a victim of a property crime 1 in 22. This paints a bleak picture of the safety of Riverdale.

10. South Shore

South Shore, situated on the South side of Chicago, is a charming town known for its exquisite beaches along the Great Lakes. With a population of 54,000, the overall crime rate in this area is 7,573 crimes per 100,000 people, meaning that the chances of becoming a victim of any crime are 1 in 13. Unfortunately, South Shore has a higher rate of violent crimes, with robbery and assault being common. The violent crime rate is 2,454 per 100,000 people, and murder and gun violence are much higher than the national average.

In South Shore, the property crime rate is 5,120 incidents per 100,000 individuals. This means there is a 1 in 20 chance of falling victim to property crime.

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