Chicago violent crime hits decade low as arrest rates climb 
The Illinois Policy Institute found violent crime declined in nearly 9-in-10 neighborhoods

CHICAGO (Feb. 4, 2026) – Following a national trend, the number of violent crimes being committed in Chicago hit a 10-year low in 2025, declining from a peak of nearly 30,000 in 2023 to 22,760 last year.

Violent crime declined across nearly 9-in-10 Chicago neighborhoods, according to new research from the Illinois Policy Institute.

The number of total crimes in Chicago declined in 2024 and 2025, but they remain well above lows during the 2020 and 2021 pandemic years. The arrest rate for total crime increased, climbing from 13.8% in 2024 to 15.8% in 2025, while the arrest rate for violent crime increased to the highest level since the pandemic, 17.9%.

Chicago crime by neighborhood in 2025:  

• About 71% of Chicago neighborhoods reported higher violent crime arrest rates than in 2024 and 82% experienced higher arrest rates overall.
• Andersonville, Hyde Park, Jackson Park and Armor Square saw total crime rise to decade highs. Andersonville also reported its highest level of violent crime during the past decade.
• Austin led Chicago’s communities in violent and total crime. Austin has led the city in total crimes for 15 consecutive years. However, Austin’s arrest rate climbed to its highest level since the onset of the pandemic.

“The city is making inroads on combatting crime, while benefiting from a national trend of declining crime. Chicago Chief of Police Larry Snelling and new Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke have worked to secure higher arrest rates and ensure criminal offenders are held accountable for their actions. City leaders must continue this trend, as Chicago residents consistently rank crime as the No.1 issue facing the city,” said Patrick Andriesen, senior writer for the Illinois Policy Institute. 

To read more about Chicago’s 2025 crime recap, visit illin.is/crime2025.

For bookings or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.