Is Belmont Heights, Chicago, Safe to Live or Visit in 2024?

Belmont Heights Crime Rates and Safety Rankings

Planning to live, visit, or move to Belmont Heights? Here's what you need to know to stay safe.

This article analyzes Belmont Heights' most recent crime data, drawing on statistics from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, to determine if the neighborhood is safe or dangerous.

We use a 0-100 crime rate scale. Higher scores mean more crime and greater danger.

We'll compare Belmont Heights to Chicago and national averages, look at crime trends, and highlight key safety concerns.

Read on for essential facts and tips on protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your property in Belmont Heights.

Crime and safety snapshot

How dangerous is Belmont Heights? Crime rates here are above average. The overall crime rate is 64/100, with violent crime at 67/100 and property crime at 56/100. These numbers indicate that crime occurs more frequently here than in other areas of this city. While not the most dangerous neighborhood, being more cautious and aware of your surroundings is advisable.

Belmont Heights safety ranking in Chicago

Belmont Heights ranks as one of the safest Chicago neighborhoods regarding violent crime. In terms of property crime, it ranks as one of the safest in the city.

Is Belmont Heights Getting Safer or More Dangerous?

Now, let's take a closer look at how safety in Belmont Heights has changed over time.

Has Belmont Heights become safer (2023 vs. 2022)?

Between 2022 and 2023, Belmont Heights has seen a small improvement in safety. This modest decrease in crime rates is a step in the right direction, even if it's not immediately apparent.

How has crime in Belmont Heights changed over the years?

Note: We've excluded 2020-2021 from trend comparison analyses due to the unusual crime patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing instead on comparing current data to pre-pandemic trends.

Overall crime rates

Compared to pre-pandemic years (2017 and 2019), Belmont Heights is noticeably more dangerous. Violent crime increased by 7 points. Property crime increased by 14 points.

Crimes to be Careful of in Belmont Heights

Whether you live in or visit Belmont Heights, understanding the frequency of various crimes can help you navigate daily life more safely. By knowing which offenses are more common, you can take appropriate precautions to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property in Belmont Heights.

How common are violent crimes in Belmont Heights?

In Belmont Heights, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is significantly elevated.

Here's a breakdown of risk levels for specific violent crimes:

• Murder/Homicide (deadly attacks): Significantly elevated
• Rape (sexual assault): Average
• Robbery (theft by force or threat): Significantly elevated
• Aggravated Assault (serious physical attacks): Significantly elevated

While in Belmont Heights, watch out for the following crimes and take action to stay safe:

• Murder/Homicide and Aggravated Assault: This area sees more violent physical attacks than safer parts of town. After dark, be extra cautious. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and stay alert. If you encounter trouble, shout for help and head to a crowded area. Staying sober is crucial—it helps you stay sharp, spot potential danger from afar, and reduce the chance of becoming a target. If you feel uneasy, duck into a store or another safe place until things seem calmer.

• Robbery: Muggings are more frequent here. Consider keeping valuables hidden—using a money belt can help protect your belongings.

How frequent are property crimes in Belmont Heights?

• Burglary (home break-ins): Below average
• Larceny (theft, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching): Significantly elevated
• Auto Theft (car stealing): Significantly elevated
• Arson (intentional fire-setting): Significantly elevated

If you own or rent property in Belmont Heights, regularly use a vehicle in the area, or frequently spend time in public spaces here:

• Protect yourself from pickpocketers and bag snatchers — be vigilant with personal belongings in public, secure your bag, and be aware of pickpocketing risks in crowded areas.

• Protect your car — lock it every time you leave, keep valuable items out of sight, install a car alarm if possible, and make sure you have adequate car insurance for extra peace of mind.

• Be mindful of arson risks — protect your property by keeping it well-lit, removing flammable materials from around buildings, getting comprehensive fire insurance coverage, and installing smoke detectors on every floor.

Violent Crime in Belmont Heights

Breakdown of violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault)

Here are the latest crime rates for specific violent offenses:

• Murder/Homicide (deadly attacks): 74/100 - a significant issue, 14 points higher than the US average.
• Rape (sexual assault): 40/100 - less frequent than average, 15 points lower than the US average.
• Robbery (theft by force or threat): 78/100 - a significant issue, 26 points higher than the US average.
• Aggravated Assault (serious physical attacks): 77/100 - a significant issue, 20 points higher than the US average.

Belmont Heights' violent crime ranking in Chicago

In terms of violent crime rates, among the 224 neighborhoods in Chicago, Belmont Heights ranks as one of the most secure.

Here's how Belmont Heights ranks within Chicago for each type of violent crime:

• Murder: Ranks 3rd, as one of the most secure.

• Rape: Ranks 6th, as one of the most secure.

• Robbery: Ranks 29th, as one of the most secure.

• Aggravated Assault: Ranks 29th, as one of the most secure.

Is Belmont Heights getting safer from violent crime (2023 vs. 2022)?

• The murder crime rate decreased by 2 points, now slightly safer.
• The rape crime rate decreased by 7 points, now moderately safer.
• The robbery crime rate remained unchanged, now largely unchanged.
• The aggravated assault crime rate increased by 4 points, now moderately more dangerous.

How has violent crime in Belmont Heights changed over the years?

Violent crime rates

Comparing Belmont Heights now to the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019, violent crime is unchanged.

Rape crime rates

Property Crime in Belmont Heights

While violent crimes often grab headlines, it's property crimes that might affect residents and visitors more frequently. Whether you live in Belmont Heights or are just passing through, understanding the property crime situation can help you protect your belongings—from home burglaries to pickpocketing and bag snatching. Let's look closely at property crime in Belmont Heights and how it impacts locals and travelers.

Belmont Heights has a property crime rate of 56 out of 100. This indicates the area has average crime levels.

For context, Chicago's property crime rate in 2023 is 56/100, while the US average property crime rate for that year is 47/100.

Breakdown of property crime rates (burglary, larceny, auto theft, and arson)

Here are the latest crime rates for specific property offenses:

• Burglary (home break-ins): 22/100-relatively uncommon, 20 points lower than the US average.
• Larceny (theft, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching): 75/100-a significant issue, 32 points higher than the US average.
• Auto Theft (car stealing): 85/100-a significant issue, 24 points higher than the US average.
• Arson (intentional fire-setting): 71/100-more frequent than average, 16 points higher than the US average.

Belmont Heights' property crime ranking in Chicago

Belmont Heights ranks as one of the safest neighborhoods out of 224 areas in Chicago.Here's how Belmont Heights ranks within Chicago for each type of property crime:

• Burglary: Ranks 23rd, as one of the most secure.
• Larceny: Ranks 9th, as one of the most secure.
• Auto Theft: Ranks 4th, as one of the most secure.
• Arson: Ranks 80th, slightly safer than average.

Is Belmont Heights getting safer from property crime (2023 vs. 2022)?

From 2022 to 2023, Belmont Heights has become noticeably safer from property crime.Let's examine the year-over-year changes for each type of property crime:

• Burglary: Decreased by 16 points, now noticeably safer.
• Larceny: Decreased by 14 points, now noticeably safer.
• Auto Theft: Increased by 1 point, now slightly more dangerous.
• Arson: Increased by 13 points, now notably more dangerous.

How has property crime in Belmont Heights changed over the years?

Property crime rates

Comparing Belmont Heights now to the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019, property crime is moderately higher by 6 points.

Nearest Neighborhoods by Crime Rate

Whether you're considering living in Belmont Heights or planning a visit, here's how nearby neighborhoods compare in terms of crime rates and safety.

Among nearby areas, Belmont Terrace has the lowest overall crime rate, making it an alternative to consider if you're concerned about Belmont Heights' safety.

Explore the crime and safety ranking of all neighborhoods in Chicago.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

To answer the question, is Belmont Heights, Chicago, safe or dangerous? Now that we've reviewed Belmont Heights' crime and safety details, let's sum up the main points so you can decide if it's a place you'd want to live in or visit, what to be careful of, and how to stay safe if you go there:

Crime statistics

• Belmont Heights' overall crime rate: 64/100
• Safety ranking: 19 out of 224 neighborhoods in Chicago.
• Violent crime rate: 67/100 (1 points lower than Chicago's average, 15 points higher than the national average.)
• Property crime rate: 56/100 (15 points lower than Chicago's average, 9 points higher than the national average.)

Based on these crime statistics, Belmont Heights is somewhat dangerous. You should exercise increased caution in this area.

Crime trends

Comparing 2023 to 2022:

• Overall: Less dangerous by 4 points.
• Violent crime: Now marginally safer than in 2022.
• Property crime: Now safer than in 2022.

Top crimes in Belmont Heights:

• Auto Theft: 85/100.
• Robbery: 78/100.
• Aggravated Assault: 77/100.

If you live in or visit Belmont Heights, stay vigilant and take these precautions:

• Belmont Heights has lots of car thefts. Always lock your car, even for quick stops. Never leave it running alone. Use a steering wheel or pedal lock; these can scare off thieves. If you can, put a GPS tracker in your car. Avoid parking on the street here, especially on quiet, dark streets. If you must, choose spots under streetlights or near security cameras.

• Belmont Heights has a high robbery rate. Keep valuables out of sight and use a money belt hidden under your clothes. Be especially careful near ATMs. If confronted by a robber, stay calm and comply with their demands—no possession is worth risking your life. If you can run fast and it's safe to do so, running might be an option. Otherwise, don't make sudden movements that could escalate the situation.

• Belmont Heights has high rates of violent crime. Avoid being out alone, especially after dark. Stick to well-lit main streets and stay alert to your surroundings. If you spot potential trouble from afar (drunk people, strange behavior, or groups), cross the street or calmly turn back. Don't engage with strangers in isolated areas. If attacked, shout loudly to draw attention and try to escape to a populated area if possible. Stay sober when in this area, as being intoxicated makes you an easier target. If you feel unsafe, duck into a store and stay there until it's safe to leave.

Nearby neighborhoods

Areas with the lowest crime rates near Belmont Heights:

• Lowest violent crime rates: Belmont Terrace, Irving Woods, Schorsch Village.
• Lowest property crime rates: Belmont Terrace, Irving Woods, Schorsch Village.