Garfield Ridge Crime Rates and Safety Rankings
Planning to live, visit, or move to Garfield Ridge? Here's what you need to know to stay safe.
This article analyzes Garfield Ridge’s 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 Garfield Ridge 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 Garfield Ridge.
Crime and safety snapshot
How dangerous is Garfield Ridge? The area has some significant safety challenges. The crime rate is high at 71/100, with violent crime at 77/100 and property crime at 58/100. These numbers indicate that crime is a frequent issue in this area. If you're living in or visiting Garfield Ridge, it's crucial to be vigilant and take extra precautions to ensure your safety.
Garfield Ridge safety ranking in Chicago
To put these crime rates in context, let's examine how Garfield Ridge ranks among Chicago's 224 neighborhoods:
- Overall Crime (safest neighborhoods ranking): 53rd
- Violent Crime (safest neighborhoods ranking): 127th
- Property Crime (safest neighborhoods ranking): 29th
Garfield Ridge ranks around average Chicago neighborhoods regarding violent crime. In terms of property crime, it ranks as one of the safest in the city.
Is Garfield Ridge Getting Safer or More Dangerous?
Now, let's take a closer look at how safety in Garfield Ridge has changed over time.
Has Garfield Ridge become safer (2023 vs. 2022)?
Overall Crime: Increased by 2 points
Violent Crime: Increased by 5 points
Property Crime: Decreased by 5 points
Data reveals that Garfield Ridge has become slightly more dangerous between 2022 and 2023. While the change isn't dramatic, it's worth being more cautious than before.
How has crime in Garfield Ridge 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), Garfield Ridge is about as safe. Violent crime increased by 3 points. Property crime decreased by 3 points.
Crimes to be Careful of in Garfield Ridge
Whether you live in or visit Garfield Ridge, 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 Garfield Ridge.
How common are violent crimes in Garfield Ridge?
In Garfield Ridge, 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): Significantly elevated
- Robbery (theft by force or threat): Significantly elevated
- Aggravated Assault (serious physical attacks): Significantly elevated
While in Garfield Ridge, 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.
- Rape: Women should be cautious, as sexual assaults are a serious concern here. Avoid walking alone, especially at night. Go out with friends or use trusted ride services. Stay vigilant in quiet areas. Consider carrying pepper spray or a whistle for protection. If threatened, scream for help and run towards busy spots or open businesses.
- 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 Garfield Ridge?
The risk of becoming a victim of property crime in Garfield Ridge is significantly elevated.
Here's a breakdown of risk levels for individual property crimes:
- 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 Garfield Ridge, 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 Garfield Ridge
How safe are Garfield Ridge’s streets? We'll examine how common violent crimes are for residents and visitors alike and how these rates have changed over time.
Garfield Ridge has a violent crime rate of 77 out of 100. To put this in perspective, Chicago's violent crime rate in 2023 is 68/100, while the US average violent crime rate for that year is 57/100.
This categorizes the area as high crime.
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): 75/100 - a significant issue, 15 points higher than the US average.
- Rape (sexual assault): 73/100 - a significant issue, 18 points higher than the US average.
- Robbery (theft by force or threat): 82/100 - a significant issue, 30 points higher than the US average.
- Aggravated Assault (serious physical attacks): 78/100 - a significant issue, 21 points higher than the US average.
Garfield Ridge’s violent crime ranking in Chicago
In terms of violent crime rates, among the 224 neighborhoods in Chicago, Garfield Ridge ranks around the average.
Here's how Garfield Ridge ranks within Chicago for each type of violent crime:
- Murder: Ranks 34th, safer than most.
- Rape: Ranks 171st, more dangerous than most.
- Robbery: Ranks 126th, about average.
- Aggravated Assault: Ranks 54th, safer than most.
Is Garfield Ridge getting safer from violent crime (2023 vs. 2022)?
To understand how Garfield Ridge’s safety is evolving, let's look at how crime rates have changed recently.
From 2022 to 2023, Garfield Ridge has become moderately more dangerous from violent crime.
Let's examine the year-over-year changes for each type of violent crime:
- The murder crime rate decreased by 1 point, now slightly safer.
- The rape crime rate increased by 14 points, now notably more dangerous.
- The robbery crime rate increased by 5 points, now moderately more dangerous.
- The aggravated assault crime rate increased by 3 points, now slightly more dangerous.
How has violent crime in Garfield Ridge changed over the years?
Violent crime rates
Comparing Garfield Ridge now to the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019, violent crime is slightly higher by 1 point.
Rape crime rates
Property Crime in Garfield Ridge
While violent crimes often grab headlines, it's property crimes that might affect residents and visitors more frequently. Whether you live in Garfield Ridge 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 Garfield Ridge and how it impacts locals and travelers.
Garfield Ridge has a property crime rate of 58 out of 100. This places the neighborhood above average in crime.
For context, Chicago's property crime rate in 2023 is 58/100, 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): 27/100-relatively uncommon, 15 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): 87/100-a major concern, 26 points higher than the US average.
- Arson (intentional fire-setting): 71/100-more frequent than average, 16 points higher than the US average.
Garfield Ridge’s property crime ranking in Chicago
Garfield Ridge ranks as one of the safest neighborhoods out of 224 areas in Chicago.Here's how Garfield Ridge ranks within Chicago for each type of property crime:
- Burglary: Ranks 39th, safer than most.
- Larceny: Ranks 9th, as one of the most secure.
- Auto Theft: Ranks 54th, safer than most.
- Arson: Ranks 80th, slightly safer than average.
Is Garfield Ridge getting safer from property crime (2023 vs. 2022)?
From 2022 to 2023, Garfield Ridge has become safer from property crime.Let's examine the year-over-year changes for each type of property crime:
- Burglary: Decreased by 10 points, now noticeably safer.
- Larceny: Decreased by 6 points, now moderately safer.
- Auto Theft: Increased by 5 points, now moderately more dangerous.
- Arson: Increased by 8 points, now moderately more dangerous.
How has property crime in Garfield Ridge changed over the years?
Property crime rates
Comparing Garfield Ridge now to the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019, property crime is moderately lower by 6 points.
Nearest Neighborhoods by Crime Rate
Whether you're considering living in Garfield Ridge or planning a visit, here's how nearby neighborhoods compare in terms of crime rates and safety.
| Neighborhood | Overall Crime | Violent Crime | Property Crime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler Village | 68 | 75 | 51 |
| Clearing (E) | 68 | 75 | 51 |
| Clearing (W) | 68 | 75 | 51 |
| Vittum Park | 70 | 75 | 60 |
| LeClaire Courts | 72 | 76 | 62 |
Among nearby areas, Chrysler Village has the lowest overall crime rate, making it an alternative to consider if you're concerned about Garfield Ridge’s safety.
Explore the crime and safety ranking of all neighborhoods in Chicago.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
To answer the question, is Garfield Ridge, Chicago, safe or dangerous? Now that we've reviewed Garfield Ridge’s 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
- Garfield Ridge’s overall crime rate: 71/100
- Safety ranking: 59 out of 224 neighborhoods in Chicago.
- Violent crime rate: 77/100 (9 points higher than Chicago's average, 25 points higher than the national average.)
- Property crime rate: 58/100 (13 points lower than Chicago's average, 11 points higher than the national average.)
Based on these crime statistics, Garfield Ridge is somewhat dangerous. You should exercise increased caution in this area.
Crime trends
Comparing 2023 to 2022:
- Overall: More dangerous by 2 points.
- Violent crime: Now moderately more dangerous than in 2022.
- Property crime: Now safer than in 2022.
Top crimes in Garfield Ridge:
- Auto Theft: 87/100.
- Robbery: 82/100.
- Aggravated Assault: 78/100.
If you live in or visit Garfield Ridge, stay vigilant and take these precautions:
- Garfield Ridge 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.
- Garfield Ridge 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.
- Garfield Ridge 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 Garfield Ridge:
- Lowest violent crime rates: Chrysler Village, Clearing (E) (https://www.ovogo.com/places/north-america/us/illinois/chicago/clearing-e/safety-crime/), Clearing (W) (https://www.ovogo.com/places/north-america/us/illinois/chicago/clearing-w/safety-crime/).
- Lowest property crime rates: Chrysler Village, Clearing (E) (https://www.ovogo.com/places/north-america/us/illinois/chicago/clearing-e/safety-crime/), Clearing (W) (https://www.ovogo.com/places/north-america/us/illinois/chicago/clearing-w/safety-crime/).