Chicago is one of America’s most iconic cities, known for its skyline, culture, and history. Yet beneath its vibrant identity, crime statistics reveal stark challenges in certain neighborhoods. Analyses based on FBI and Chicago Police Department data highlight areas where violent crime, property offenses, and gang activity are disproportionately concentrated. These rankings don’t define the entire city, but they provide a snapshot of where safety concerns are most pressing, offering insight into the realities shaping Chicago’s communities.

Most Dangerous Places In Chicago

1. West Garfield Park

West Garfield Park consistently ranks as Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhood, with the highest violent crime rate in the city. Shootings, assaults, and robberies are common, driven by gang activity and poverty. Despite revitalization efforts, safety concerns remain severe. Residents emphasize resilience and community pride, but crime continues to shape daily life. Local initiatives focus on youth programs, policing reforms, and economic development. West Garfield Park’s challenges highlight the need for systemic solutions to reduce violence and improve safety.

2. East Garfield Park

East Garfield Park faces persistent crime challenges, including gang violence, drug trafficking, and robberies. Poverty and unemployment exacerbate safety concerns, while assaults and shootings remain frequent. Despite these issues, East Garfield Park has a strong community identity, with residents advocating for revitalization and better policing. Grassroots organizations emphasize youth engagement and rehabilitation programs. The neighborhood’s resilience is evident in ongoing efforts to improve safety, even as crime statistics highlight the need for sustained investment and systemic solutions.

3. North Lawndale

North Lawndale struggles with high homicide and robbery rates, driven by gang activity and economic hardship. Poverty and unemployment contribute to persistent safety concerns. Despite these challenges, North Lawndale has a strong community identity, with residents advocating for better policing and social programs. Local initiatives focus on youth engagement and rehabilitation efforts. Law enforcement targets gang activity, but systemic issues remain. North Lawndale reflects both the risks and resilience of Chicago, highlighting the need for sustained investment in education and opportunity.

4. Washington Park

Washington Park experiences elevated violent crime, including assaults and robberies. Poverty and unemployment drive much of the neighborhood’s crime challenges. Drug activity and gang presence exacerbate safety concerns. Despite these issues, Washington Park maintains a strong community identity, with residents advocating for revitalization and better policing. Grassroots organizations emphasize youth engagement and rehabilitation programs. The neighborhood’s resilience is evident in ongoing efforts to improve safety, even as crime statistics highlight the need for systemic solutions and sustained investment.

5. Englewood

Englewood has long been associated with high crime rates, particularly gun violence and gang activity. Shootings, assaults, and robberies are common, driven by poverty and unemployment. Despite these challenges, Englewood maintains a strong community identity, with residents advocating for better policing and social programs. Local initiatives focus on youth engagement and rehabilitation efforts. The neighborhood’s resilience is evident in ongoing efforts to improve safety, even as crime statistics highlight the need for systemic solutions and sustained investment.

6. Austin

Austin is one of Chicago’s largest neighborhoods and faces significant crime challenges. Robberies, burglaries, and assaults are common, driven by gang activity and poverty. Despite these issues, Austin has a strong community identity, with residents advocating for revitalization and better policing. Grassroots organizations emphasize youth engagement and rehabilitation programs. The neighborhood’s resilience is evident in ongoing efforts to improve safety, even as crime statistics highlight the need for systemic solutions and sustained investment in education and opportunity.

7. Riverdale

Riverdale, though small, ranks disproportionately high in violent crime per capita. Shootings, assaults, and robberies are common, driven by poverty and unemployment. Despite these challenges, Riverdale maintains a strong community identity, with residents advocating for better policing and social programs. Local initiatives focus on youth engagement and rehabilitation efforts. The neighborhood’s resilience is evident in ongoing efforts to improve safety, even as crime statistics highlight the need for systemic solutions and sustained investment in community development.

8. South Shore

South Shore faces persistent crime issues, particularly property offenses and assaults. Poverty and unemployment contribute to safety concerns. Drug activity and gang presence exacerbate crime challenges. Despite these issues, South Shore maintains a strong community identity, with residents advocating for revitalization and better policing. Grassroots organizations emphasize youth engagement and rehabilitation programs. The neighborhood’s resilience is evident in ongoing efforts to improve safety, even as crime statistics highlight the need for systemic solutions and sustained investment.

9. Chatham

Chatham experiences elevated burglary and robbery rates, driven by poverty and unemployment. Despite these challenges, Chatham has a strong community identity, with residents advocating for revitalization and better policing. Local initiatives focus on youth engagement and rehabilitation programs. Law enforcement targets gang activity, but systemic issues remain. The neighborhood’s resilience is evident in ongoing efforts to improve safety, even as crime statistics highlight the need for systemic solutions and sustained investment in education and opportunity.

10. Roseland

Roseland struggles with persistent violent crime, including shootings and assaults. Gang activity and drug trafficking contribute significantly to safety concerns. Poverty and unemployment exacerbate the problem. Despite these challenges, Roseland maintains a strong community identity, with residents advocating for better policing and social programs. Local initiatives focus on youth engagement and rehabilitation efforts. The neighborhood’s resilience is evident in ongoing efforts to improve safety, even as crime statistics highlight the need for systemic solutions and sustained investment.

Rank	Community Area	Side / Location	Violent Crime Rate (Approx. per 10k)	Key Characteristics & Context
1	West Garfield Park	West Side	280+	Extreme poverty, vacant lots, high homicide rate.
2	Washington Park	South Side	260+	High robbery and assault rates; near University of Chicago.
3	East Garfield Park	West Side	250+	Neighbor to West Garfield Park; high violent crime.
4	Englewood	South Side	240+	Notorious for poverty and violence; heavy police focus.
5	North Lawndale	West Side	230+	Persistent poverty; high per-capita violent crime.
6	Riverdale	Far South Side	220+	Isolated, economically challenged; high violent crime.
7	Grand Boulevard	South Side	200+	Historic Bronzeville area; concentrated violence in some blocks.
8	South Shore	South Side	180+	Mix of middle-class and high-violence pockets.
9	Auburn Gresham	South Side	170+	High shootings and armed robbery rates; strong community presence.
10	West Englewood	South Side	170+	Adjacent to Englewood; gang violence and poverty.
11	Chatham	South Side	150+	Historically middle-class Black neighborhood; rising violent crime.
12	Fuller Park	South Side	150+	One of the smallest and poorest areas; extremely high violent crime.
13	Armour Square (Includes Chinatown)	South Side	140+	Northern part sees concentrated crime; Chinatown generally safe.
14	Douglas (Includes parts of Bronzeville)	South Side	130+	Blocks with significant violent crime despite historic landmarks.
15	New City (Includes Back of the Yards)	South Side	130+	Home to historic Back of the Yards; gang-related violence persists.
16	Oakland	South Side	130+	Small area between Douglas and Grand Boulevard; similar challenges.
17	Humboldt Park	West Side	120+	Western half affected by gang violence; culturally rich.
18	Chicago Lawn	Southwest Side	110+	Diverse area; violence and hate crimes reported.
19	Roseland	Far South Side	110+	Economic decline and rising violent crime.
20	Avondale	Northwest Side	100+	Working-class neighborhood; spikes in robbery and gang violence in specific sections.

Rank	Community Area	Side / Location	Violent Crime Rate (Approx. per 10k)	Key Characteristics & Context
21	Portage Park	Northwest Side	95+	Mostly safe residential, but some pockets experience robberies and assaults.
22	Austin	West Side	90+	Large West Side community; persistent poverty and gang presence.
23	Brighton Park	Southwest Side	90+	Mix of residential and industrial; crime concentrated in specific corridors.
24	West Pullman	Far South Side	85+	Isolated area; high per-capita violent crime.
25	Belmont Cragin	Northwest Side	85+	Working-class neighborhood; occasional gang conflicts and street crime.
26	Hegewisch	Far Southeast Side	80+	Industrial edges; violent crime rare but present in residential pockets.
27	Garfield Ridge	Southwest Side	80+	Residential neighborhood; sporadic assaults and robberies.
28	Back of the Yards	South Side	80+	Historically gang-influenced; still sees shootings and robberies.
29	Englewood West	South Side	78+	Smaller area within West Englewood; extremely high violent crime per capita.
30	South Chicago	Southeast Side	75+	Industrial and residential mix; violent incidents concentrated in northern sections.
31	Pullman	Far South Side	75+	Historic Pullman District; pockets of property crime and occasional assaults.
32	Edgewater	North Side	70+	Lakefront neighborhood; generally safe but some robberies and assaults reported.
33	Rogers Park	Far North Side	70+	Densely populated; occasional violent crime and gang activity in parts.
34	West Ridge	Northwest Side	68+	Mix of residential and commercial; some shootings and street robberies.
35	Hyde Park	South Side	65+	University of Chicago area; concentrated violent crime near edges, generally safe overall.
36	Lincoln Park	North Side	65+	Popular, affluent neighborhood; occasional nightlife-related assaults.
37	Near West Side	West Side	63+	Includes Little Italy and parts of UIC campus; violence in isolated sections.
38	Logan Square	Northwest Side	60+	Trendy area with gentrification; some crime in specific pockets.
39	West Town	West Side	60+	Mix of gentrification and old industrial areas; robberies and assaults occur in pockets.
40	Avondale / Hermosa	Northwest Side	58+	Mainly residential; gang-related incidents in certain blocks.
41	Irving Park	Northwest Side	55+	Mostly safe; occasional street assaults and robberies.
42	Uptown	North Side	55+	Entertainment district; nighttime assaults, muggings, and thefts.
43	South Lawndale (Little Village)	Southwest Side	52+	Dense residential community; violent crime concentrated in smaller corridors.
44	Belmont Cragin / Hermosa Edge	Northwest Side	50+	Primarily residential; some gang and street violence.
45	West Englewood South	South Side	50+	Adjacent to West Englewood; high per-capita crime rates.
46	Bronzeville (Douglas / Grand Blvd overlap)	South Side	50+	Historic district; some violent crime concentrated in north edges.
47	Garfield Park East	West Side	48+	Adjacent to East Garfield Park; pockets of high violent crime.
48	Near South Side	South Side	45+	Entertainment and business district; violent crime mostly in isolated blocks.
49	Montclare	Northwest Side	45+	Residential neighborhood; isolated incidents of robbery and assault.
50	West Humboldt Park	West Side	42+	Western edge of Humboldt Park; gang activity and street violence concentrated in parts.

Closing

While Chicago’s most dangerous places underscore serious safety concerns, they also reflect broader issues such as poverty, unemployment, and segregation. Behind every statistic are families and communities striving for resilience and change. Recognizing these challenges is the first step toward meaningful solutions, from stronger policing to investment in education and economic growth. Chicago’s identity is not solely tied to crime—it is also a city of innovation, culture, and determination, working toward safer, stronger neighborhoods for the future.