| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | East Chicago/100k people | Indiana/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 620 | n/a (estimate) | 2,416 | 1,692 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 11.7 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 19 | n/a | 74.0 | 33.5 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 21 | n/a | 81.8 | 34.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 169 | n/a | 658.6 | 239.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 212 | n/a (estimate) | 826 | 313 | 359 |
| Burglary | 37 | n/a | 144.2 | 176.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 236 | n/a | 919.6 | 988.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 135 | n/a | 526.1 | 213.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 408 | n/a (estimate) | 1,590 | 1,379 | 1,760 |
When we analyze the latest crime report, the East Chicago crime rate is 14% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of East Chicago, there were 212 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 826 per 100,000 individuals, 130.1% higher than the national average. Additionally, East Chicago recorded 408 property crimes, amounting to 1590 per 100,000 residents, 9.7% lower than the U.S. average.
The East Chicago crime rate is about average when compared to all the other cities across the U.S. per 100,000 residents. When we compared the total crimes (violent and property) in East Chicago, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.
East Chicago is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 826 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in East Chicago is 1 in 122.
While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. East Chicago stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In East Chicago, a total of 3 murders were reported, equating to 12 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
East Chicago maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In East Chicago, 1590 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1760 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and East Chicago is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, East Chicago reported a total of 135 vehicle thefts, resulting in 526 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 191, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
What is the prevailing sentiment among East Chicago residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 46 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 13% of East Chicago residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 87% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.
Is East Chicago a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, East Chicago has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 14%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.7 daily incidents, encompassing 0.58 violent crimes and 1.12 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of East Chicago as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in East Chicago. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in East Chicago has decreased by 30.1%. Violent crimes have decreased by 25.4%, while property crimes have decreased by 32.3%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In East Chicago, the cost of living is 10.83% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
In East Chicago, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 3.49 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.
In East Chicago, the average rental rates are $989 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | East Chicago | Indiana | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 104 | 8,766 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.5 | 2.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Indiana /100K | National /100K |
| Indiana | 12,315 | 198 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| St. John, IN | 18,872 | 24 | 129 | 153 |
| Ogden Dunes, IN | 1,159 | 44 | 194 | 237 |
| Dyer, IN | 16,417 | 12 | 344 | 356 |
| New Chicago, IN | 1,883 | 135 | 595 | 730 |
| Merrionette Park, IL | 2,017 | 124 | 736 | 860 |
| Highland CDP, IN | 4,423 | 163 | 720 | 883 |
| Crete, IL | 8,275 | 169 | 906 | 1,075 |
| East Chicago, IN | 28,835 | 826 | 1,590 | 2,416 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Saratoga Springs, NY | 28,832 | 186 | 1,717 | 1,902 |
| Glen Ellyn, IL | 28,828 | 50 | 579 | 628 |
| Enterprise, AL | 28,827 | 624 | 2,379 | 3,003 |
| Winchester, VA | 28,825 | 238 | 2,329 | 2,567 |
| Burlington, MA | 28,820 | 225 | 1,663 | 1,888 |
| East Chicago, IN | 28,835 | 826 | 1,590 | 2,416 |
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