TL;DR: Chicago recorded 416 homicides in 2025 — the fewest since 1965 and down 29% from 2024, according to the Chicago Police Department. Through late September 2026, homicides were running about 2% below that historic pace while robberies fell 22% — but violent crime remains heavily concentrated in certain South and West Side neighborhoods.
Chicago carries one of the most fearsome reputations of any American city, yet the numbers tell a more complicated story. The city just closed its safest homicide year in six decades. At the same time, “Chicago safe” is a question whose answer depends enormously on which block you’re standing on. Here’s what the data actually says.
Chicago’s Crime Numbers in 2026
Start with the headline fact: in its 2025 in Review report, the Chicago Police Department announced 416 homicides for 2025 — the lowest annual total since 1965. That’s 171 fewer than the 587 recorded in 2024, a 29% year-over-year decline. Shooting incidents fell 35% and shooting victims fell 34% over the same period.
Through the first nine months of 2026, the improvement has largely held. CPD’s Public Safety Report for the week ending September 27, 2026 shows murders at 320 versus 327 in the same period of 2025 (down 2%), robberies down 22% (3,536 vs. 4,508), and burglaries down 10%. Violent crime on the CTA system fell 32% year to date. August recorded the fewest homicides for that month since 2011, and September the fewest for any September since 2010.
There are caveats. Motor vehicle theft is up 9% year to date, and overall index crimes are essentially flat (down 1%). The robbery decline is especially notable against history: the Council on Criminal Justice found Chicago’s robbery rate in the first half of 2026 was 43% lower than the same period in 2019. For broader context, check the FBI Crime Data Explorer, where you can compare Chicago’s figures with other cities yourself.
Where Chicago’s Crime Is Concentrated
Chicago is a city of 77 community areas, and crime is not spread evenly across them. Historically, the city’s highest violent-crime levels have been concentrated in a handful of South and West Side communities — areas like Englewood, Austin, North Lawndale, and West Garfield Park have repeatedly recorded the heaviest gun violence. Large portions of the North Side and Northwest Side, meanwhile, see violence levels far below the national average.
This concentration matters for anyone asking “is Chicago safe” — a visitor spending a week in Lincoln Park is experiencing a fundamentally different city than a resident of a neighborhood dealing with entrenched gang conflicts.
The Safest Areas of Chicago
The neighborhoods most consistently regarded as safe include Lincoln Park and Lakeview on the North Side, the Gold Coast and Near North Side around downtown, Wicker Park and Bucktown on the near Northwest Side, Edison Park and Norwood Park in the far northwest, and Beverly on the far South Side. These areas combine active commercial streets, strong community organizations, and far lower violent-crime rates than the city average.
Downtown itself — the Loop, River North, and the Magnificent Mile — is heavily policed and generally safe during the day and evening, though late-night visitors should stay alert, particularly around transit stations.
Areas to Be Careful In
Be extra cautious late at night in neighborhoods with persistent gang activity on the South and West Sides, and avoid displaying valuables or wandering alone in unfamiliar areas after dark. Most carjackings and robberies cluster in these higher-risk zones. Even in safe areas, stay aware on the CTA late at night — transit crime has improved dramatically this year, but empty train cars after midnight are still worth avoiding.
Tips for Staying Safe in Chicago
Stick to well-lit, busy streets after dark and know your route in advance. Lock your car and never leave bags visible on seats — theft from vehicles is one of the most common crimes visitors encounter. Use rideshare for late-night trips rather than waiting alone at transit stops. Keep your phone in a pocket in crowded areas, and consider travel insurance if you’re visiting major events like Lollapalooza, where pickpocketing spikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago safe to visit in 2026?
Yes, for most visitors sticking to downtown, the North Side, and popular tourist areas, Chicago is reasonably safe. The city is coming off its lowest homicide year since 1965, and violent crime keeps falling. Normal big-city precautions apply.
How many homicides has Chicago had in 2026?
Through the end of September 2026, Chicago recorded 321 homicides — about 3% below the same period in 2025, per CPD data. The full-year 2025 total was 416, the fewest since 1965.
Is Chicago’s crime rate going up or down?
Down. Homicides fell 29% in 2025, and through late September 2026 they remained slightly below 2025’s historic pace. Robberies are down 22% year to date and burglaries down 10%.
Which Chicago neighborhoods are the safest?
Lincoln Park, Lakeview, the Gold Coast, Wicker Park, Edison Park, Norwood Park, and Beverly are generally regarded as the city’s safest neighborhoods.
Which areas of Chicago should tourists avoid?
Tourists have little reason to visit neighborhoods on the far South and West Sides where gang violence is concentrated. Stick to the Loop, River North, the North Side lakefront, and established cultural districts.
Is it safe to ride the CTA in 2026?
Safer than it’s been in years — violent crime on the CTA fell 32% year to date, with a 45% drop in August alone. Still, avoid empty cars late at night and stay aware of your surroundings.
Is Chicago safer than other large US cities?
It depends on the comparison. Chicago’s homicide totals get national attention, but its per-capita rate is lower than several smaller cities with higher rates. The FBI Crime Data Explorer lets you compare city by city. (See also our roundup of Texas’s safest cities for a contrast.)
