Yes — it's one of the safer Northwest Side neighborhoods, with violent crime below the city average. Property crime is the main concern, particularly near the Blue Line stations and Western Ave.

Is Bucktown safer than Wicker Park?

Slightly — Bucktown has lower violent crime rates and a more residential feel. It's also a bit more expensive. Both are good choices for safety-conscious renters on the Northwest Side.

Is Bucktown good for families?

Yes — it's increasingly popular with young families. The residential streets are quiet, there's good park access, and the school options have improved significantly in recent years.

What's the crime like near the Blue Line in Bucktown?

The Damen Blue Line station area has elevated property crime, similar to Wicker Park. The residential blocks away from the station are significantly safer.

B+

Northwest Side·Chicago, IL·ZIP: 60647

Is Bucktown safe?

Wicker Park's quieter sibling — safer, slightly pricier.

6% safer vs last yearSafety score: 73/100Median rent: $2,100/mo

Overview

Bucktown sits just north of Wicker Park and shares its walkability and urban energy, but with lower crime rates and a more residential feel. It's one of the best-value safety-to-rent ratios on the Northwest Side.

Who lives here: Young families, professionals who want Wicker Park energy with more space, and long-term Chicago residents.

Best for

→Young families transitioning from apartments to houses
→People who want Wicker Park proximity with less nightlife noise
→Blue Line commuters
→Dog owners (access to Holstein Park)

Watch out for

⚠Western Ave corridor has higher property crime
⚠Car break-ins near the Blue Line stations
⚠Some blocks south of Armitage border higher-crime areas

Safest streets in Bucktown

Dickens Ave

Quiet, residential, very low incident rate

Armitage Ave (east of Western)

Active commercial, well-lit

Western Ave

Higher property crime — avoid leaving valuables in cars

Crime hotspots to know

Western/Armitage intersection
Damen Blue Line station area
North Ave corridor (southern border)

Safety tips for Bucktown residents

Bucktown has one of the most active block club networks in Chicago — join yours

The 14th District CAPS program covers Bucktown — check their crime map for your specific block

Holstein Park has strong community programming that contributes to neighborhood safety

Free Crime Alerts

Get notified when something happens in Bucktown

Real-time crime alerts, weekly safety score updates, and court case tracking — free.

No spam. Unsubscribe any time.

Frequently asked questions

Compare nearby neighborhoods

Bucktown at a glance

Safety grade

B+

Homicides 2026

—

Clearance rate

—

Median rent

$2,100

Walk score

93/100

Transit score

84/100

Check apartment safety score →Pre-move-in checklist →

Moving Guide

Moving to Bucktown?

Real-time Bucktown alerts

Get notified the moment something happens near you. Crime alerts, court case updates, weekly safety scores.

Start Free Trial

7-day free trial · Cancel anytime

Illinois members members watching

4.9

"I moved here last year and the crime alerts have been invaluable. I know what's happening on my block before my neighbors do."

Data sources: Homicide counts are sourced from the Chicago Police Department via Socrata (Crimes 2001–Present dataset) and reflect records in the IllinoisCrime.com database, updated nightly. Grades are computed from YTD homicide density relative to the city average. Weapon data is not available in the CPD dataset. Editorial content (neighborhood character, safety tips, FAQ) is supplementary context and not derived from CPD data. See our methodology.