Chicago, IL Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Chicago, IL

The Chicago crime rates are 58% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 14321 violent crimes in Chicago (540 per 100,000 people), which is 46% higher than the national average and there were a total of 83090 property crimes (3133 per 100,000 residents) which is 60.3% higher than average.

While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Chicago stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Chicago, a total of 604 murders were reported, equating to 23 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.

Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Chicago has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Chicago reported 21191 vehicle thefts, which equates to 799 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Chicago is 1 in 126.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Chicago?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Chicago residents. Out of the respondents (734 in total), 29% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Chicago were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 71% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Chicago a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Chicago is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Chicago has an overall crime rate that is 58% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 266.88 daily occurrences, comprising 39.24 violent crimes and 227.64 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Chicago as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Chicago Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Chicago. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Chicago has decreased by 8.3%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 43.9%, while property crime has decreased by 2.9%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Chicago.

Chicago Neighborhood Crime Rates

There are more than 77 different neighborhoods in the Chicago area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Chicago include Forest Glen, Edison Park and North Center. While Fuller Park, West Garfield Park and Washington Park have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.

Potential Causes for Crime in Chicago

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Chicago currently has an unemployment rate of 5.4%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Chicago crime rates. Chicago registers a population density of 11853.3 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Chicago has a median home price of $267,600, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Chicago crime map