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While Chicago comes with a rich culture of summer festivities, winter challenges, sports, entertainment, and a renowned culinary scene, you need to beware of the dangerous areas in Chicago. Tracked since the early 20th century, Chicago witnessed a surge in violent crime from the late 1960s, reaching a peak in 1974 with 970 murders. Subsequently, by the mid-2000s, murders decreased significantly to 415 annually. However, the city’s overall crime rate, particularly violent crime, remains higher than the national average. This backdrop underscores the caution required when exploring certain places in Chicago. Let’s explore them through this article.
Dangerous Places In Chicago
To gain a thorough grasp of Chicago’s crime landscape, it is essential to delve into the heart of its neighbourhoods, where crime rates are most pronounced. Certain areas endure a disproportionate share of violent crime compared to the citywide average. This compilation of Chicago’s ten most dangerous neighbourhoods is informed by crime statistics, specifically focusing on incidents of violent crime per 1,000 residents.
1. Washington Park
Source: WTTW Website
Washington Park stands out as the most dangerous areas in Chicago . With a population of 12,707, it exhibits an alarmingly high violent crime rate, surpassing the national average by 701%. Overall, the area’s crime rate is 297% higher than the national average, with incidents of murder, robbery, and assault particularly prevalent, cementing Washington Park’s reputation as Chicago’s most dangerous locality.
2. West Garfield Park
Source: A Chicago Journal Website
Another area notorious for crime in Chicago is West Garfield Park, situated on the city’s South Side. This neighbourhood suffers from a significantly elevated rate of violent crime, standing 257% higher than the city average. Residents of West Garfield Park face a heightened risk, with approximately 1 in 20 individuals falling victim to violent incidents. The prevalence of gang activity is a major contributing factor to the area’s high levels of violent crime.
3. Riverdale
Source: Wikipedia
Riverdale, situated at the southernmost end of Chicago, ranks among the city’s most perilous neighbourhoods because of its disproportionately high rates of violent and property crime. In 2021, there were approximately 7,682 crimes per 100,000 residents, with a violent crime rate resulting in a 1 in 39 chance of victimisation for each resident. Property crime is also prevalent, with 4,743 incidents per 100,000 people, translating to a 1 in 22 likelihood of being affected.
4. Austin
Source: City of Chicago Website
Austin, one of Chicago’s largest community areas, is often cited for its elevated crime rates, earning it a reputation as one of the city’s most perilous neighbourhoods. The area exhibits crime levels well above the city average, attributed to factors such as concentrated disadvantage, social disorganisation, physical decay, poverty, drug activity, and economic neglect. These conditions contribute to a challenging environment where residents and visitors alike must exercise heightened caution.
5. North Lawndale
Source: Yo Chicago Youtube Channel
North Lawndale, located on Chicago’s west side, is one of the most dangerous areas in Chicago. The neighbourhood struggles with notably high levels of violent crime, impacting both residents and law enforcement. Incidents such as homicide, assault, robbery, and sexual assault contribute to its reputation as a dangerous area. Factors such as segregation, limited resources, intensive policing, pervasive poverty, and widespread exposure to violence intertwine to create a complex environment, presenting formidable obstacles to reducing crime in North Lawndale.
7. Chatham
Source: City of Chicago Website
Chatham, situated just east of Auburn Gresham on Chicago’s South Side, ranks among the city’s most perilous neighbourhoods. Despite being relatively middle-class and safer compared to other South Side areas, Chatham faces a significant challenge with drug and gang-related crime. The neighbourhood’s total crime rate stands at 6,471 incidents per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 178%. Violent crime rates are even higher, exceeding the national average by 198%, translating to a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a crime victim in Chatham.
8. South Shore
Source: Wikimedia Comms
South Shore, situated on Chicago’s South Side with a population of 54,000, is famed for its beaches along the Great Lakes. However, the neighbourhood also contends with a substantial crime challenge and is one of the most dangerous areas in Chicago. The overall crime rate in South Shore stands at 7,573 incidents per 100,000 residents, resulting in a 1 in 13 chance of being victimised. Violent crime, including prevalent robbery and assault, is particularly noteworthy, with a rate of 2,454 per 100,000 people. Rates of murder and gun violence exceed national averages, underscoring the area’s complex security issues.
No-Go Areas In Chicago
There are some places in Chicago that you should avoid at any cost. By 2010, Chicago’s homicide rate had exceeded that of Los Angeles at 16.02 per 100,000 and was more than double that of New York City at 7.0 per 100,000. By the end of 2015, the rate increased to 18.6 per 100,000. In 2016, Chicago reported more homicides and shooting victims than New York City and Los Angeles combined. By the end of 2020, the homicide rate in Chicago had further escalated to 28 per 100,000. Given below is a map of no-go areas in Chicago according to the crimes and inhabitant rates:
Source: Selliliar Live Website
High Crime Rate Areas In Chicago 2024
Given below are some areas in Chicago with their crime rates per 100000 people. This will help you with the recent insights into the places to avoid here:
| Neighbourhoods | Crime Rates (estimates) per 100,000 people |
| West Garfield Park | 11,126 |
| North Lawndale | 8940 |
| East Garfield Park | 8510 |
| Washington Park | 8133 |
| Chatham | 6471 |
Dangerous Roadways & Traffic Intersections In Chicago
The Greater Chicago area is home to several hazardous roadways and traffic intersections. Some of the most notorious are:
- Milwaukee Avenue
- Lincoln and Clark
- Western Avenue at Peterson Avenue
- La Grange Road at the I-80 westbound ramp
- Ogden Avenue at Illinois State Route 59
- Cicero Avenue and 127th Street
- Western Avenue at Peterson Avenue
- Kedzie Avenue at Belmont Avenue
- Stony Island Avenue at South Chicago Avenue
Safety Tips For Navigating Chicago’s High-Crime Areas
Travelling through Chicago’s high-crime areas requires vigilance and preparedness. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, it’s crucial to adopt safety measures to protect yourself from potential threats. Here are some essential tips to help you stay safe while exploring the city.
- Research neighbourhoods and crime statistics before visiting.
- There is safety in numbers; avoid going alone, especially at night.
- Stick to well-lit, busy streets and avoid shortcuts through alleys or poorly lit areas.
- Keep an eye on what’s happening around you and avoid distractions like using your phone excessively.
- Opt for reputable taxi services or ride-sharing apps instead of walking long distances.
- Keep expensive items out of sight to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
- If something feels off, leave the area immediately
- Have local emergency numbers handy and know the location of the nearest police station or hospital.
FAQs
Q1. What is the most common crime in Chicago?
Theft, burglary, and robbery are some of the most common crimes in Chicago.
Q2. Is Chicago a safe city to live in?
Safety can vary significantly depending on the area. While many parts of Chicago are safe and welcoming, some neighbourhoods experience higher crime rates.
Q3. Is Chicago safe for female solo travellers?
Chicago is secure during the daytime, especially in areas popular with locals and tourists. Public transportation stations and vehicles are equipped with surveillance cameras to enhance safety. However, it can be less safe during late hours, particularly in certain neighbourhoods.
Q.4 Which side of Chicago is the safest?
Edison Park, Lincoln Park, Forest Glen, Lakeview, and Norwood Park are some of the safest areas in Chicago.
Q5. What is the scariest neighbourhood in Chicago?
The most dangerous area in Chicago is Washington Park, which has a crime rate of 701%.
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