If you ask a lifelong Chicagoan "is Englewood IL safe?" you’re going to get a heavy sigh before they even answer. It’s complicated. For decades, this South Side neighborhood has been the poster child for urban struggle in national media, often cited in statistics that make people want to lock their car doors before they even cross 55th Street. But numbers don't tell the whole story of a place where people still plant community gardens and walk their kids to school.
Englewood is a neighborhood of extremes. On one hand, you have the raw data from the Chicago Police Department that paints a grim picture of violent crime rates that sit significantly higher than the city average. On the other, you have a massive, multi-million dollar revitalization effort and a community that is fiercely protective of its home. You can't just look at a "crime map" and understand what it's like to actually stand on the corner of 63rd and Halsted.
The Reality of the Numbers: Let’s Look at the Data
Talking about safety without looking at the police blotter is just wishful thinking. According to the Chicago Police Department’s annual reports and data aggregated by sites like Chicago Data Portal, Englewood (specifically the 7th District) consistently ranks near the top for both violent and property crimes. We're talking about a rate of violent crime that is often three to four times higher than the national average.
It’s rough.
Most of the violence is concentrated. It isn't random. If you look at the "heat maps" provided by the University of Chicago Crime Lab, you'll notice that the vast majority of serious incidents are tied to specific blocks and systemic issues like gang affiliations or narcotics disputes. For a random visitor or a new resident, the risk of being a victim of a "random" crime is lower than the aggregate stats suggest, but it’s still statistically higher than living in Lincoln Park or Andersonville. Property crime—thefts, carjackings, and burglaries—remains a persistent headache for everyone living there.
What the 7th District Statistics Reveal
- Violent Crime: Assault and battery incidents make up a huge chunk of the calls.
- Gun Violence: Englewood has historically struggled with shootings, though community programs like READI Chicago are working to intervene with at-risk individuals before the trigger is pulled.
- Property Issues: High rates of vacant lots and abandoned buildings can sometimes contribute to a feeling of unease and provide cover for illicit activity.
Why the Context Matters More Than the Map
So, is Englewood IL safe for a newcomer? If you're coming from a quiet suburb, the transition will be jarring. You’ll see a heavy police presence. You’ll see "blue light" cameras on street poles. But you also see the Whole Foods Market that opened a few years back—which was a massive deal for a "food desert"—and the Kennedy-King College campus, which brings a lot of foot traffic and youthful energy to the area.
📖 Related: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Menu: Why You’re Probably Ordering Wrong
Safety is relative.
People who grew up here know which blocks to avoid after dark. They know their neighbors. There is a "village" mentality in parts of Englewood that actually makes it feel safer than a cold, anonymous high-rise downtown. Local organizations like the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) are constantly on the ground, working to change the narrative and the physical environment. They host "So Fresh Saturdays" in the parks to reclaim public spaces from crime. When people are out in the sun, listening to music and eating together, the neighborhood feels as safe as any other spot in the city.
The "Two Englewoods" Narrative
There is a massive divide between East Englewood and West Englewood, though they are often lumped together. West Englewood tends to see higher concentrations of poverty and, consequently, higher crime stats.
Recent years have seen a weird shift. Investors are looking at Englewood because the land is cheap. You can find a beautiful, historic graystone house for a fraction of what it would cost in Bronzeville. This brings in a new demographic—urban pioneers or just people looking for an affordable mortgage—who are betting on the neighborhood’s "upward" trajectory.
But gentrification is a slow, messy process.
👉 See also: 100 Biggest Cities in the US: Why the Map You Know is Wrong
For now, the neighborhood remains in a state of flux. The city has poured money into the Invest South/West initiative, aiming to revitalize the commercial corridors. They’re trying to turn vacant lots into "plazas" and workspaces. If these projects succeed, the answer to "is Englewood IL safe?" might look very different in five years. Right now, it’s a place where you need to have your wits about you, especially at night, but it isn't the "no-go zone" that some sensationalist news outlets make it out to be.
Practical Advice for Navigating Englewood
If you’re visiting for work, checking out real estate, or just passing through, there are a few common-sense rules that apply here more than in other parts of Chicago.
- Stick to Main Arteries: Stay on major streets like Halsted, 63rd, and 55th. These areas are better lit and have more "eyes on the street."
- Daylight is Your Friend: Most residents will tell you that the vibe changes significantly once the sun goes down. If you're new to the area, do your exploring during business hours.
- Mind Your Business: This is a general Chicago rule, but it’s vital here. Most conflict is interpersonal. If you aren't looking for trouble, it’s far less likely to find you.
- Engage with the Community: If you're moving there, join R.A.G.E. Talk to the people who have lived there for 40 years. They are the best security system you could ever have.
The Role of Systemic Issues
We can't talk about safety in Englewood without mentioning that this neighborhood was systematically gutted by redlining and disinvestment for half a century. When a neighborhood loses its grocery stores, its schools, and its jobs, crime fills the vacuum. It’s a cycle.
When people ask "is Englewood IL safe?" they are often asking about the symptoms of a much deeper economic disease. The Great Migration brought thousands of Black families here for a better life, and for a while, Englewood was a thriving middle-class hub. The subsequent "white flight" and the loss of industrial jobs hit this specific zip code harder than almost anywhere else in the Midwest.
Today, the "safety" of the area is tied directly to the success of local businesses. When you see a new coffee shop or a renovated park, that’s a safety win. It means people are invested. It means there’s a reason for people to be outside and engaged.
✨ Don't miss: Cooper City FL Zip Codes: What Moving Here Is Actually Like
Recent Improvements and Wins
- The Go Green Griot: A community-led project focusing on green energy and local jobs.
- St. Benedict the African: This church remains a pillar of the community, providing social services that keep people off the streets.
- Increased City Funding: The city's focus on the "South/West" corridor has actually started to result in physical improvements to the streetscape.
The Final Verdict
Is Englewood IL safe? No, not by traditional suburban standards. If you look at the raw numbers, you will see a neighborhood that still struggles with high rates of violence and theft. It would be dishonest to say otherwise.
However, "safe" is a spectrum.
If you are a savvy city dweller who knows how to navigate urban environments, Englewood is a place where you can live, work, and contribute to a community that is fighting tooth and nail to improve. It’s a place of incredible resilience. It’s not a playground for the oblivious, but it’s also not a wasteland. It’s a neighborhood in the middle of a very long, very difficult comeback story.
Actionable Steps for Those Considering Englewood
- Check the CPD ClearMap: Don't take a blogger's word for it. Look at the specific blocks you are interested in using the Chicago Police Department’s official crime mapping tool.
- Visit Multiple Times: Go on a Tuesday morning, a Friday night, and a Sunday afternoon. The "feel" of the neighborhood changes wildly based on the time of week.
- Join Local Groups: Follow the Resident Association of Greater Englewood on social media. See what the actual residents are complaining about or celebrating.
- Look at the Schools: If you have kids, research the specific "Level" ratings for schools like Englewood Stem High School. School safety and neighborhood safety are often intertwined.
- Support Local: If you want the neighborhood to be safer, spend your money there. Eat at the local spots, shop at the Whole Foods on 63rd, and help build the tax base that funds the improvements you want to see.
The future of Englewood isn't written in the crime stats of last year. It’s being written by the people who stay, the people who move in with a purpose, and the city’s willingness to finally fix what was broken decades ago. Proceed with caution, but also with an open mind.