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Common Ground News

Is the Near North Side of Chicago safe?

Author

Sarah Oconnor

Updated on February 22, 2026

Is the Near North Side of Chicago safe?

Public Safety
As for property crime, it ranks 4th out of 77 communities but above average in safety when it comes to quality of life crimes (36th out of 77 communities). “The Near North is pleasant and walkable, frequented by tourists and local professionals”, says Nadia Balint, a long time Chicago resident.

Just so, what is the Near North Side of Chicago?

The Near North Side is one of 77 well-defined community areas of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located north and east of the Chicago River, just north of the central business district (the Loop). To its east is Lake Michigan and its northern boundary is the 19th-century city limit of Chicago, North Avenue.

Beside above, is Near South Side Chicago Safe? Near South Side ReviewsFast travel to both airports as well! Great options for entertainment, shopping and proximity to diverse neighborhoods with excellent food. It's also very safe!

People also ask, which side of Chicago is dangerous?

Most of Chicago's most violent crimes and gang activity are located on the West and South sides of the city. In general, the further South and West you go, the more dangerous the neighborhood. That said, a few neighborhoods in South and West Chicago have benefitted greatly from gentrification.

Where should I avoid in Chicago?

  • "Navy Pier." — Mark Andel, Hot Dog Diaries.
  • "Montrose Harbor at night.
  • "Navy Pier.
  • "Trump Tower, obviously." —
  • "I avoid Taste of Chicago." —
  • "North Ave Beach especially if biking on the lake front trail.
  • "Logan Square and Wicker Park are the places to avoid.
  • "Wrigleyville on the weekends or during baseball season.

Is River North Chicago dangerous?

Miguel Fuentes, the national director of the non-profit organization, says River North is safe. The group is concerned about crime in River North and not above using high-profile incidents to raise awareness of personal safety as well as what they do to fight crime in Chicago.

Is North Chicago a good place to live?

North chicago is a great place to find an affordable house. The reason my parents moved us out here is because of how affordable the price of houses is around here compared to other suburbs. On our side of North Chicago it is calm, quiet, and not much goes on.

Where should I stay when visiting Chicago?

Where to stay in Chicago – Best Accommodation (with Prices!)
  • The Loop / Chicago Downtown – Where to stay in Chicago for the first time.
  • River North – Magnificent Mile – Best area to stay in Chicago for nightlife.
  • Streeterville.
  • Lincoln Park – Where to stay in Chicago on a budget.
  • Gold Coast.
  • Wicker Park.

Is Chicago in the North or South?

Obviously, the Chicago experience is different for everyone. Everything below I-290 (or the Loop) is considered Chicago's South Side, and you can see that there is much more to it than the North Side. The upper neighborhoods get more attention, generally, but the south is where most people live.

Why do they call it the Magnificent Mile?

Rubloff coined the phrase “The Magnificent Mile” as the thoroughfare began to transform itself into a world-renowned center of retail, dining and culture.

What is the north side?

1. north side - the side that is on the north. side - a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location; "they always sat on the right side of the church"; "he never left my side" Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection.

What is considered downtown Chicago?

The traditional meaning of “downtown” is synonymous with “central business district.” So in Chicago that would mean the Loop neighborhood, which is defined as the area bounded by Lake Michigan to the east, the Chicago River to the north and the west and Roosevelt Road (12th St.) to the south.

Where is the ghetto in Chicago?

The West Side is Chicago's “other” ghetto. It is not as well known as the South Side, outside Chicago but many consider it among the worst slum areas in the nation.

Where are the bad areas in Chicago?

Based on these data, “bad neighborhoods” would include the Near North Side, Austin, the Loop, the Near West Side, West Town, South Shore, Lake View, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, and North Lawndale.

and the worst are:

  • Fuller Park.
  • Englewood.
  • West Garfield Park.
  • East Garfield Park.

What area of Chicago has the highest crime rate?

Our key findings this year include: Fuller Park, albeit small, is the most dangerous neighborhood in Chicago. In 2019, the neighborhood saw 289 violent crimes, which translates to 1,184.9 crimes/10k pop.

What are the highest crime areas in Chicago?

  • Forest Glen. 18459. 1195. 0.0027.
  • Mount Greenwood. 18783. 1000. 0.0038.
  • North Center. 34623. 1387.5. 157. 0.0045.
  • Dunning. 43025. 1200. 261. 0.0061.
  • Jefferson Park. 27264. 1297.5. 187. 0.0069.
  • Lincoln Park. 66959. 1550. 489. 0.0073.
  • North Park. 18442. 1080. 139. 0.0075.
  • Bridgeport. 33878. 1200. 256. 0.0076.

How violent is Chicago?

The city's overall crime rate, especially the violent crime rate, is higher than the US average.

Crime in Chicago.

Chicago
Rape52.4**
Robbery353.6
Aggravated assault480.2
Total violent crime903.8

What is Chicago known for?

Some of the many things Chicago is famous for are: Chicago-style hot dogs, Chicago-style (deep dish) pizza, Maxwell Street Polish Sausage, jazz music, and 1920s gangsters like Al Capone. Chicago is also known for interesting architecture like the Sears Tower, many museums, and many loyal sports fans.

How many murders did Chicago have in 2019?

The nation's third-most populous city has recorded 490 murders in 2019 as of Tuesday morning, Chicago police say -- about 13% lower than 2018's total of 564. That also would be a roughly 35% drop from 2016, when Chicago reported its highest number of homicides in two decades: 756. Shootings also are down.

Is Uchicago safe?

Your Safety. The University of Chicago's security and transportation services cover campus and extend throughout much of the nearby Hyde Park neighborhood. Among the Top 10 Best Colleges in America, the University of Chicago's campus is one of the safest.

Is South Side Chicago poor?

Although it has a reputation for high levels of crime, the South Side ranges from affluent to middle class to poor.

Is West Side Chicago dangerous?

Chicago's West Side has just been been awarded the inauspicious title of "most dangerous neighborhood" in the US. ABC News reports that‚ website NeighborhoodScout has gotten a hold of crime data from local and national agencies and tracked them to neighborhoods all over the country.

Is Hyde Park a safe neighborhood?

Crime in East Hyde Park
The neighborhood is generally safe, popular mostly with students and young professionals seeking a cheaper alternative to downtown living.

Where is West Side Chicago?

The West Side is one of the three major sections of the city of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, along with the North Side and the South Side. The West Side consists of communities that are of historical, cultural, and ideological importance to the history and development of Chicago.

Is Chinatown safe in Chicago?

Chinatown is considered a safe neighborhood statistically; only 113 violent crimes were reported in Armour Square, the community area that encompasses Chinatown, so far this year. That amounts to 0.6 percent of all violent crimes reported in Chicago, according to data from Crime in Chicagoland.

Why is Chicago colder than New York?

Chicago's climate is "continental," far from the warmth and humidity of ocean air. Interior North America loses heat in the winter, aided by extensive snow cover. New York is "modified maritime," warmed and moisturized by the Atlantic Ocean but only somewhat chilled by continental air.

Is Cabrini Green a bad neighborhood?

Over the years, crime, gang violence and neglect created deplorable living conditions for the residents, and "CabriniGreen" became a metonym for the problems associated with public housing in the United States. The last of the buildings in CabriniGreen were demolished in March 2011.

Does Cabrini Green still exist?

The last of the buildings in CabriniGreen were demolished in March 2011. At its peak, CabriniGreen was home to 15,000 people, living in mid- and high-rise apartment buildings totaling 3,607 units. Today, only the 586 original row houses remain, and only 150 are occupied.

Is Chicago a good place to live?

Chicago is a great place to live for those who want a bustling urban hub without the cost or stress of a bigger city. Cleaner than New York and nicer than Los Angeles, Chicago is the largest city in the Midwest. But don't let that deter you, the positives of living in Chicago far outweigh the negatives.

What's considered South Side Chicago?

The South Side is an area of Chicago. It is the largest of the three Sides of the city that radiate from downtown—the others being the North Side and the West Side. The South Side of Chicago was originally defined as all of the city south of the main branch of the Chicago River, but it now excludes the Loop.

Is Grant Park Safe?

Much of Buckhead is safe, except for the Lindbergh neighborhood. Other safe areas in Atlanta include Chastain Park, Poncey-Highland, Brookhaven, Vinings, Druid Hills, Decatur, Underwood Hills, Morningside, Candler Park, Inman Park, Cabbagetown, Grant Park, and Knight Park.

Is West Loop safe?

While the West Loop neighborhood and city of Chicago are working together to make the area safer, there are always precautions individuals can take for extra safety. If you have a car don't leave valuables in your vehicle, and make sure always to lock your doors and roll up the windows.