Despite its reputation as a leading crime city, Chicago is a popular place to live due to the vibrancy of different neighborhoods and big city amenities.
Chicago is an excellent destination for young professionals looking to kickstart their careers, those looking to start a family, and every situation between.
Regardless of your reason, it’s essential to understand that statistically, Chicago has a higher crime rate than the rest of the country, at 67 percent higher than the national average in 2020.
Unfortunately, that number jumped by 41 percent between 2021 and 2022.
An important distinction in the numbers is that a considerable portion of that percentage is property crimes, and the city didn’t make the top 10 most dangerous cities list in 2023.
It’s also worth noting that these crimes occur in already crime-ridden neighborhoods that have been impacted by disinvestment, policy decisions, and poverty, not the entire city.
Therefore, if you’re considering moving to Chicago, you will want to understand the safest neighborhoods.
Keep reading to learn more!
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10 Safest Neighborhoods in Chicago
Ten: Streeterville
Nestled in the center of Chicago, Streeterville is a highly safe and accessible city area.
The neighborhood is surrounded by many of Chicago’s top attractions, including the historic Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue.
Also, this neighborhood is adjacent to the Miracle Mile, which boasts some of the most iconic skyscrapers in the United States and excellent shopping options.
Additionally, this area is close to several universities, which have plenty of security and are well-patrolled by Chicago PD.
Given that it’s directly downtown, Streeterville is a highly safe neighborhood.
Nine: West Lawn
In the city’s Southwestern section, West Lawn is considered highly safe for working-class residents.
With a diverse population of 33,662, West Lawn is regarded as a melting pot of cultures, which equates to excellent restaurants.
Crime in this neighborhood is 22 percent lower than the Chicago average, making it an affordable but safe place to live.
Eight: Rogers Park
Located on the far North side of Chicago on the Lake Michigan shores.
Rogers Park is another highly diverse neighborhood with beautiful beaches, unique architecture, and plenty of green public spaces.
The community is also considered one of the most LGBT-friendly sections of the city and is centered around the Hart Library, which has many local events and extensive literature.
The neighborhood also has low crime, with Rogers Park being 23 percent safer than the Chicago average.
Seven: Lake View
Immediately adjacent to Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, Lake View is a highly desirable place to live, with a crime rate 40 percent lower than the average.
Due to the neighborhood’s proximity to the ballpark, police presence is high all day and night.
Also, the neighborhood is known for beautiful views of Lake Michigan, exceptional public transit, and famous cultural events.
Six: Westmont
Boasting an amazing crime rate lower than 65 percent of the Chicago average, Westmont is an incredibly safe place to live.
Situated northwest of Downtown Chicago, Westmont has a smaller-town vibe with a population of only 24,429.
The neighborhood’s exceptional safety record and quieter surroundings make it a wonderful place to raise a family.
Five: Mount Greenwood
Coming in at number six is Mount Greenwood, a southwestern neighborhood with a crime rate 66 percent lower than the city average.
The neighborhood is best known for being family-friendly, with residents feeling safe enough to walk the streets day or night.
Best of all, the neighborhood is surrounded by green spaces and similar suburban neighborhoods, blocking it from criminal activity.
Four: Forest Glen
Boasting a whopping crime rate 70 percent lower than the Chicago average, Forest Glen is one of the oldest and safest neighborhoods on the North side.
This laid-back, small community is well known for its family-friendly atmosphere and safe streets.
Due to the family-friendly vibe, the area is home to many professionals with families, lawyers, police officers, and government officials.
Three: Norwood Park
One of the safest neighborhoods in Chicago is undoubtedly Norwood Park in the city’s Northwestern end.
This neighborhood is famous for its suburban feel and green spaces while offering a reasonable downtown commute.
Residents enjoy the Whealon Aquatic Center, Edgebrook Golf Course, and a 14-acre park.
The crime rate is 72 percent lower than the Chicago average, making it an ideal destination for those of retirement age.
Two: Lincoln Park
Renters and homeowners can take solace in living in Lincoln Park.
This neighborhood was named after Abraham Lincoln, born and raised in Illinois.
The area features a popular zoo with no entrance fee and beautiful views of the skyline from South Pond.
One of the best aspects of the neighborhood is the easy commute into downtown Chicago.
Other benefits include proximity to the Second City Theater and Chicago History Museum and countless access to excellent pizza.
One: Edison Park
Considered the safest neighborhood in Chicago, Edison Park boasts a crime rate that’s a whopping 77 percent lower than other communities within the city.
Situated in the Northwestern section of Chicago, Edison Park is a bit distant from downtown, but that also means there is little crime spillover from other neighborhoods.
Edison Park is incredibly family-friendly and has numerous young professionals willing to commute for a safe and relaxed lifestyle.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Chicago
Before visiting Chicago, it’s important to be equipped with different safety tips to keep you out of trouble. These include the following:
One: Be Cautious of Strangers
While it’s perfectly acceptable to have conversations with the outstanding citizens of Chicago, be cautious of those requesting money or directions.
These interactions could be an attempt to draw you closer and become the victim of a crime.
Never let your guard down; answering in brief, direct, and firm statements will ensure you are safe.
Two: Display a Confident Attitude
Body language says a lot about your confidence level, so always stay alert and walk with your head up.
Those who don’t follow this rule and look scared or timid are always easy targets for criminals to look for, so remain confident in all situations and locations.
Three: Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Chicago neighborhoods are notorious for flipping quickly, so it is easy to end up in an undesirable section of town.
If you feel uneasy, walk to a nearby location with security on-site who can assist you, contact the Chicago Police, or get out of the area quickly but calmly.
Four: Trust Your Instincts
If you feel a situation or location is wrong or out of place, your instincts are likely correct.
The next step is to pay attention to your surroundings and act appropriately.
If the area feels unsafe, go back the way you came and call a taxi or Uber.
Five: Report Suspicious Activity
The moniker in all cities is, “If you see something, say something,” and Chicago is no exception.
If you encounter suspicious activity, packages, or individuals, never hesitate to report it to the local authorities or call 911.
Be prepared to describe why it’s suspicious, where it occurred, when, and what or who you saw.
Chicago Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Chicago Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to walk in downtown Chicago at night?
Like all major cities, Chicago has many safe and less safe areas, which equates to some neighborhoods having higher crime rates than others.
Depending on the boundaries considered for Downtown Chicago, the area is generally safe since it has excellent police coverage, plenty of activity around the clock, and is a vibrant hub of restaurants, bars, shopping, and tourist attractions.
There are small pockets where different types of crimes occur, ranging from theft, shoplifting, and property damage to muggings and more violent crimes.
However, like anywhere, it’s always best to stay in well-lit areas and know your route between two points.
Is it safe to cross Millennium Park at night?
Millennium Park is a safe destination for visitors day and night.
Given the park’s location in Downtown Chicago against the waterfront, there are always plenty of visitors going for a stroll day and night, and the park is well-patrolled by the Chicago Police Department.
Is Chicago a safe place to visit now?
In a 2023 poll, just 27 percent of respondents said Chicago is safe.
The Gallup Poll asked 1,000 adults in July 2023 if they consider different cities to be safe to live in or visit, and Chicago was the second lowest, behind Detroit, which was rated just 26 percent.
It’s important to note that not all areas of Chicago are unsafe.
While random crime occurs everywhere in Chicago, like in any city, violent crimes tend to remain in pockets of criminal activity.
