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Featuring real estate articles and information to help real estate buyers and sellers. The Nest features writings from Georges Benoliel and other real estate professionals. Georges is the Co-Founder of NestApple and has been working as an active real estate investor for over a decade.

Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Chicago in 2023

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Chicago is one of America’s most vital cultural and economic centers. Still, certain neighborhoods within the city have gained notoriety for their highMost Dangerous Neighborhoods in Chicago rate of crime and violence. Gain insight into Chicago’s top ten most hazardous areas by reading further. With a population of 2,746,388, Chicago is a sprawling metropolis known for its diversity. Unfortunately, it also has high violent crime rates, making it about 67% more dangerous than the US average. The city struggles with violent and property crimes, which frequently involve guns. Stay away from such neighborhoods; those are the areas to avoid in Chicago. Let’s discuss the Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Chicago!

1. Washington Park: the Most Dangerous Neighborhood in Chicago

The neighborhood with the highest violent crime rate in Chicago is Washington Park, which has a population of 12,707 and an overall crime rate of 297%, higher than the national average. It is by far the most Most Dangerous Neighborhood. in Chicago.

Violent crimes like murder, robbery, and assault are extremely prevalent in Washington Park, making it the most dangerous area in Chicago.

2. West Garfield Park

West Garfield Park, located on Chicago’s South Side, has a high violent crime rate due to extensive gang activity.

Crime is 257% higher than the rest of the city, with residents having a 1 in 20 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

3. Englewood

Englewood is a high-crime neighborhood in Chicago’s South Side with a population of 24,369 and a historically high poverty rate. In 2022, the crime rate in Englewood was 125% higher than the Chicago average.

Englewood, located in Chicago’s South Side, has a population of 24,369 and a historically high poverty rate. In 2022, its crime rate was 125% higher than the Chicago average.

4. North Lawndale

North Lawndale, located on Chicago’s West Side, has been greatly impacted by the 2008 recession. With a population of 34,794 residents, it is unfortunately known for high crime rates, particularly among men aged 17-45.

This neighborhood’s crime rate is 198% higher than the Chicago average, with 10,606 crimes per 100,000 people. Residents have a 1 in 9 chance of becoming a victim of some crime. Additionally, there were 3,000 violent crime incidents per 100,000 people in 2020, meaning residents have a 1 in 34 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

5. East Garfield Park

Garfield Park, a neighborhood in West Chicago, has a long history of violent and property crime. More than 2,800 violent crimes and more than 7,500 property crimes were committed in 2022. Issues with gun violence and gang activities plague East Garfield. There were more than 77 shootings in the neighborhood in 2021.Ten thousand one hundred ninety-five crimes are committed for every 100,000 individuals worldwide. Accordingly, people of East Garfield Park have a one in ten probability of becoming a victim of a crime. The property crime rate was 7,117 per 100,000 persons in 2020, giving residents a 1 in 14 chance of becoming victims.

6. West Englewood

The Southwest Chicago neighborhood of West Englewood is home to 32,317 people. The overall crime rate in this area is 9,551 per 100,000 residents, which is double the Chicago average.The likelihood of becoming a victim is 1 in 37, according to West Englewood’s violent crime rate of 2,773 violent offenses per 100,000 residents.There were 6,778 property offenses per 100,000 individuals. As a result, there is a 1 in 15 probability of becoming a victim of property crime. Traveling alone at night in West Englewood is not advisable since assault, robbery, and burglary are frequent occurrences.

7. Austin

Chicago is a large metropolis with a population of 2,746,388, renowned for its diversity. Sadly, it also has high violent crime rates, making it 67% more dangerous than the US average.

8. Grand Crossing

Grand Crossing, on the South Side of Chicago, has 31,471 residents and is one of the Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Chicago.There were 8,724 crimes or every 100,000 residents in 2020. This neighborhood’s crime rate is 317% greater than the national crime rate.2,858 violent crimes per 100,000 persons took place in 2020. In this community, where gun violence is a serious issue, homeowners frequently gripe about hearing gunshots late at night. Grand Crossing has 5,866 property crime incidents per 100,000 residents, which means there is a 1 in 18 risk that someone will become a victim.

9. Riverdale

Due to its high prevalence of violent crime relative to its population, Riverdale is one of Chicago’s most hazardous neighborhoods. On the far South Side of Chicago, in Riverdale, there were 7,682 crimes per 100,000 residents in 2021.Every resident has a one in 39 risk of becoming a victim of violent crime due to the exceptionally high rate of such crimes. 4,743 property crimes occur per 100,000 persons, which is a staggering number. As a result, there is a 1 in 22 probability of becoming a victim of property crime.

10. South Shore

South Shore, a neighborhood in Chicago’s south side with a population of 54,000, is well-known for its Great Lakes beaches. In South Shore, there are 7,573 crimes committed per 100,000 residents. As a result, 1 in 13 people will become victims of a crime.Robbery and assault are frequent, and the violent crime rate is 2,500 per 100,000 people. Gun violence and murder rates are significantly higher than the national average.In South Shore, there are 5,120 property crime events per 100,000 residents. As a result, there is a 1 in 20 probability of becoming a victim of property crime.

Conclusion about the Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Chicago

Chicago is a large metropolis with many distinct and expansive neighborhoods. The culture and identity of Chicago have significantly benefited from the contributions of many of the places on this list. However, these regions have repeatedly been rated as some of the most hazardous in the nation and the most dangerous in Chicago.Therefore, conducting your research before searching to buy or rent is advisable so you don’t end up in one of Chicago’s riskiest neighborhoods. After looking at the data, you can always ask the locals if they feel safe there if you’re still not convinced.


Written By: Georges Benoliel

Georges has been working in Wall Street for the last 16 years trading derivatives with hedge funds. He has been an active real estate investor for over a decade. Georges graduated from HEC Business School in Paris and holds a master in Finance from ESADE Barcelona.

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