The 10 Safest Places to Live in Chicago
Regardless of where you live in the world, all cities have some areas that are better than others. Safety is one of the factors that determine whether an area is considered a good place to live, and it is one of the most significant factors people consider when deciding which neighborhood they would like to call home. Chicago is no exception, and there are some neighborhoods that have high crime rates, while others have such low crime rates that the area is considered a great place to live. If you want to find the best areas to live in this city and safety is your primary concern, then here are the 10 safest places to live in Chicago.
10. Beverly
Just making it onto the list of the 10 safest places to live in Chicago is Beverly, a neighborhood on the South Side of the city with fewer than 21 thousand residents. It is one of the historic areas of Chicago, and it has attractive houses from various eras. In the last reporting year, there were only 284 violent crimes per one thousand people. For the same quota, there were also just 1,614 property crimes. Other appealing features of this neighborhood are the diverse community and the range of family-oriented activities.
9. North Center
North Center is an area that sits along the Chicago River between Diversey Parkway and Montrose Avenue. It was founded in the 19th century and expanded rapidly due to industry in the area. Now, it is home to almost 35 thousand people. The various industries in this area mean that there are employment opportunities in a wide range of sectors. Other than the job opportunities, another factor that attracts people to this area is that it is considered a safe place to live. Over the last year, only 235 violent and 1,631 property crimes were reported per one hundred thousand people.
8. Jefferson Park
Easily making it onto the list of the safest places to live in Chicago is Jefferson Park, which has over 26 thousand residents. Both violent and property crimes are low in this area, so the residents report that they feel safe. It is a good place for families to live, as there are plenty of family-oriented activities and outdoor spaces to enjoy. Employment opportunities in this area are good, and there are decent transport links to the surrounding areas of Chicago and beyond.
7. Dunning
In the seventh position on the list is Dunning, as only 358 violent and 1,163 property crimes were reported for every one hundred thousand residents in the last year’s statistics. It is a large neighborhood with a population of more than 43 thousand people. The area has a dense suburban feel with lots of bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. It also offers a fantastic nightlife, which means the area appeals to young professionals. Some other positive features of the neighborhood include the diverse community and the range of outdoor activities for residents to enjoy.
6. Clearing
Clearing is an area with almost 25 thousand residents. One thousand one hundred eighty-eight property crimes and 311 violent crimes were reported per one hundred thousand people. Some of the other excellent features of this area that make it a great place to live are the diverse community, the many amenities, the transport links, and the range of outdoor activities. On the downside, the schools are not great, and unemployment rates are relatively high.
5. O’Hare
O’Hare is a neighborhood in Chicago with a population of almost 13 thousand people, says Niche. In the last year, the violent crime rate in this neighborhood was 319 per one hundred thousand. Regarding property crimes, there were 1,035 crimes reported per one hundred thousand people. In addition to the low crime rates, some of this neighborhood’s best features are the vibrant nightlife, the diverse community, and the range of leisure activities to enjoy. On the downside, the cost of living in this area is high, and the schools are below average.
4. Mount Greenwood
Mount Greenwood is an area with a population of under 19 thousand residents. Crime rates are comparatively low, as over the last reporting year, there were 246 violent and 1,114 property crimes per one hundred thousand people. In addition to the low crime rates, there are many other appealing features of Mount Greenwood. There are plenty of job opportunities, and the unemployment rate is below three percent, the amenities are excellent, and it is an affordable area.
3. Norwood Park
Norwood Park was founded in 1872 when two adjacent townships were joined. It now includes several smaller neighborhoods, and it has more than 37 thousand residents. The residents of this area say there is a strong sense of community, and the public schools are highly-rated. Other than the community and education, safety is one of the factors that attract people to this area. Only 254 violent crimes and 967 property crimes were reported for every one hundred thousand residents.
2. Forest Glen
Located in the Northwest Side of the city, Forest Glen is a large neighborhood with 19 thousand residents that encompasses several other neighborhoods and sub-neighborhoods. These include Edgebrook, Sauganash, Sauganash Park, North Edgebrook, Old Edgebrook, and Wildwood. There were only 196 violent crimes and 1,048 property crimes per one hundred thousand people in this area in the last year.
1. Edison Park
According to Home Snacks, the safest place to live in Chicago is Edison Park, based on its low violent and property crime rates. In the last reporting year, there were just 217 violent and 781 property crimes per one hundred thousand residents. Edison Park is one of 77 areas in Chicago. It is located in North Side, and it has a population of more than 11 thousand people. Three-quarters of the population in this neighborhood have Irish ancestry. The area has pleasant surroundings, as it sits between the Chicago River and the Des Plains River.