Chicago is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. It has a serious crime problem. The south and west sides of Chicago are the most dangerous areas. This article will show you the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago. They have the highest rates of violent and property crimes per person.
Below is a video of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago or check out the Youtube video:
10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Chicago
1. West Garfield Park
West Garfield Park is the most dangerous neighborhood in Chicago. The violent crime rate in West Garfield Park is a striking 357% higher than the Chicago average and a staggering 869% higher than the national average.
West Garfield Park is located on the west side of Chicago, it’s an impoverished neighborhood grappling with high poverty.
In 2022, the total reported crimes in West Garfield Park is 1,491 which is a 5% increase from the previous year.
Murder and shooting incidents are high in West Garfield Park. It is located in the Chicago Police District with the highest murder count and the highest shooting incidents in 2022.
2. Englewood
Englewood is one of the most dangerous parts of Chicago. Located on the South Side of Chicago, Englewood is plagued with high poverty rates and gang activity.
It’s one of the worst neighborhoods in Chicago, with violent crime at 301% higher than the rest of Chicago and 731% higher than the national average.
Englewood is dangerous, it is part of the Chicago Police District with the 3rd highest rate of murder and shooting incidents in 2022.
To make it worst, crime is rising in Englewood, in 2022, the total reported crimes reached 1,913, which is a 14% increase from the previous year.
3. Austin
Austin is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago with the most reported crime in 2022.
It is hands down the neighborhood in Chicago with the highest reported crime. In 2022, 5,051 crimes were reported. The worst part is that crime is increasing in Austin, there is a 19% increase in reported crime from 2021 to 2022.
Austin is one of the most violent neighborhoods in Chicago, where the violent crime rate is 187% higher than the Chicago average and 454% higher than the national average.
4. Washington Park
Washington Park is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago. Violent crime in Washington Park is 327% higher than the Chicago average and a troubling 795% higher than the national average.
To make it worse, crime is increasing in Washington Park. In 2022, the total reported crimes surged to 1,005, marking a substantial 39% increase from the previous year.
Located in the South Side of Chicago, Washington Park has a history of high violent crime rates including murder, shootings, and assaults, solidifying its reputation as one of the most dangerous places in Chicago.
5. East Garfield Park
East Garfield Park is one of the worst neighborhoods in Chicago for crime.
Located on the West Side of Chicago, East Garfield Park is one of the roughest parts of Chicago with a violent crime rate 306% higher than the Chicago average and 744% higher than the national average.
It’s part of the Chicago Police District with the highest murder count and shooting incidents in 2022.
The bad news is crime is on the rise, in 2022, the total reported crimes in East Garfield Park is 1,528, which is a 19% increase from the previous year.
6. North Lawndale
North Lawndale is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago.
North Lawndale is a dangerous area of Chicago with a high violent crime rate that is 299% higher than the Chicago average.
It also has a crime rate that is much higher than the US average, the violent crime rate in North Lawndale is 726% higher than the national average.
North Lawndale is a Chicago West Side neighborhood plagued by crime, with a total of 2,559 crimes reported in 2022 which is a 9% increase from the previous year.
7. Grand Crossing
Grand Crossing is one of the roughest neighborhoods in Chicago.
Located on the South Side of Chicago, it is one of the worst hoods with a history of gang activity, shootings, and murders.
The violent crime rate in Grand Crossing is 284% higher than the Chicago average and 690% higher than the national average.
Grand Crossing is one of the highest crime areas of Chicago with 2,640 reported crimes in 2022 which is a 20% increase from the previous year.
8. West Englewood
West Englewood is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago.
It has a violent crime rate that is 276% higher than the Chicago average and 670% higher than the national average. The chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in West Englewood is much higher than the national average!
West Englewood is one of the roughest parts of Chicago with high poverty rates. In 2022, a total of 1,994 crimes were reported which is an 11% increase from the previous year.
9. Chatham
Chatham is a dangerous part of Chicago with high violent crime rates.
Located in the South Side of Chicago, it is part of the Chicago Police District with the second highest murder and shooting incidents in 2022.
In fact, Chatham experienced a 31% increase in reported crimes from 2021 to 2022, with a total of 2,794 crimes reported in 2022.
Violent crime in Chatham is 208% higher than the Chicago average and 506% higher than the national average.
10. South Shore
South Shore is one of the worst areas of Chicago for crime.
South Shore is a dangerous lakefront neighborhood in the South Side of Chicago with a history of gang activity and gun violence.
In 2022, the total reported crimes in South Shore surged to 3,882, marking a substantial 35% increase from the previous year.
The violent crime rate in South Shore is 244% higher than the Chicago average and 593% higher than the national average.
Sadly, shootings have become commonplace in South Shore. Almost every week there are reports of teenagers biking or walking in the park and getting shot.
Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Chicago: Methodology
In order to rank the most dangerous Chicago neighborhoods, we looked at FBI data released in 2022 and also Chicago Police Department crime data. We factored in violent crime, property crime as well as overall reported crime.
Most Dangerous Parts of Chicago: Conclusion
The neighborhoods listed above are the roughest parts of Chicago, home to the most dangerous streets in Chicago.
These neighborhoods continue to struggle with high levels of violence and crime, in fact, Chicago has seen an uptick in crime this year.
The reasons for the high crime rates in these dangerous areas of Chicago are complex. Poverty, lack of educational and economic opportunities, social inequality, and a history of segregation and discrimination are all factors that contribute to the high crime rates in these areas.
Despite efforts by law enforcement and community organizations to address these issues, the problem persists. Because of the high crime rates, these are the neighborhoods to avoid in Chicago. If you do have to visit, it’s important to be alert when you are in these unsafe neighborhoods in Chicago.