Neighborhood Safety Gradient? (Chicago, Lincoln, Washington: crime rate, neighborhoods, living in)

[Lookout Kid]

A lot of people ask "how safe is such-and-such neighborhood" on this forum. Since safety is relative, I figured I would post a neighborhood safety gradient (I know I'm going to get criticized for this). If we consider North Park to be close to the the safest and Englewood or Washington Park to be the most dangerous, every chicago neighborhood should fall somewhere in between, right? As an example, here's where I would rate Pilsen:

SAFE
North Park
Jefferson Park
Lincoln Square
Lakeview/Lincoln Park
Edgewater
Bucktown/Wicker Park
Uptown
Logan Square
Rogers Park
Pilsen
Humboldt Park
South Shore
Austin
Englewood
Washington Park
DANGEROUS

[skyeINIL]

Is Washington Park in the same league as Englewood and Austin? I know it's bad, but is it that bad?

[Lookout Kid]

Yes, it has had the highest per capita crime rate in the city in some recent years.

[NearWestSider]

I'd say your rating system is meaningless. It says, for example, that Wilson Avenue is safer than Logan Boulevard, which is absurd. Did you factor in the smash-and-grabs in Wicker Park, or are you only counting violent crime?

As a caucasian gradient, however, it is pretty accurate. Just change "SAFE" to "WHITE" and "DANGEROUS" to "BLACK".

You probably didn't mean it that way, so you get the benefit of the doubt. Try to do better in the future.

[APPLEI]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

A lot of people ask "how safe is such-and-such neighborhood" on this forum. Since safety is relative, I figured I would post a neighborhood safety gradient (I know I'm going to get criticized for this). If we consider North Park to be close to the the safest and Englewood or Washington Park to be the most dangerous, every chicago neighborhood should fall somewhere in between, right? As an example, here's where I would rate Pilsen:

SAFE
North Park
Jefferson Park
Lincoln Square
Lakeview/Lincoln Park
Edgewater
Bucktown/Wicker Park
Uptown
Logan Square
Rogers Park
Pilsen
Humboldt Park
South Shore
Austin
Englewood
Washington Park
DANGEROUS

that list cuts Rogers Park alot of slack

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by NearWestSider

I'd say your rating system is meaningless. It says, for example, that Wilson Avenue is safer than Logan Boulevard, which is absurd. Did you factor in the smash-and-grabs in Wicker Park, or are you only counting violent crime?

It's based on crime statistics per 100,000 residents. But of course, you've stumbled on to the problem with the over-generalization that goes along with neighborhood labeling. My block in Buena Park is as safe as any in Lakeview or Lincoln Park, but Wilson Avenue can be hairy near Broadway. Yet we are all just "Uptown".

Originally Posted by NearWestSider

As a caucasian gradient, however, it is pretty accurate. Just change "SAFE" to "WHITE" and "DANGEROUS" to "BLACK".

It's funny how that works out, isn't it? Actually it's not funny at all, but is based on socio-economic problems that run deep in our society.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by APPLEI

that list cuts Rogers Park alot of slack

Not at all. I think it's actually pretty hard on Rogers Park.

[Avengerfire]

Norwood Park or Edison Park should be considered the closest to the safest on this list by far.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Norwood Park or Edison Park should be considered the closest to the safest on this list by far.

Yeah, they all kind of blend together with the North Park Community Area just east of there, which includes Edgebrook and Sauganash. That is definitely the safest corner of the city.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

But of course, you've stumbled on to the problem with the over-generalization that goes along with neighborhood labeling. My block in Buena Park is as safe as any in Lakeview or Lincoln Park, but Wilson Avenue can be hairy near Broadway. Yet we are all just "Uptown".

Exactly. Anytime anyone is looking for info on how safe a neighborhood is you need to look at everyblock or the Chicago police site and look closely at the area they will be living in. The variations in crime rates within some neighborhoods is so drastic that it is foolish to simply go on the overall neighborhood's reputation.