East Chicago, IN Crime Rate & Safety

Grade: D

Higher crime than 98% of major U.S. cities

Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026

174%
Above Avg Crime
1 in 107
Violent Crime Risk
1 in 19
Property Crime Risk

Is East Chicago Safe?

No — East Chicago has high crime rates

Take precautions: avoid walking alone at night and keep valuables secured.

East Chicago has a crime rate that is 174% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 107.

Crime Index Comparison

East Chicago
274
National Avg
100

100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.

Your Chance of Being a Victim

High Risk

Violent Crime

1 in 107

chance per year

National average: 1 in 263

147% higher than national average

High Risk

Property Crime

1 in 19

chance per year

National average: 1 in 55

189% higher than national average

Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?

East Chicago Crime Breakdown

Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.

Highest Risk
Vehicle Theft · 176% above avg
Lowest Risk
Rape · 107% above avg
Crime Type Index vs National Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder
261 +161% High
Assault
255 +155% High
Robbery
232 +132% High
Rape
207 +107% High
Property Crime
Burglary
219 +119% High
Larceny / Theft
272 +172% High
Vehicle Theft
276 +176% High

Violent vs Property Crime

Crime Index by Category

East Chicago Crime Map

Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.

Full Screen Map
Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

East Chicago Crime by Zip Code

Explore crime data for specific East Chicago zip codes.

East Chicago Demographics & Context

Population
28,044
Median Income
$35,396
Home Value
$72,519
Median Rent
$658
Ownership
44%

Racial Demographics

Hispanic / Latino 55.8%
White 30.4%
Black 41.6%
Asian 0.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in East Chicago, IN?

East Chicago, IN has a crime safety grade of D as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 174% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 107 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 19 chance for property crime. East Chicago has higher crime than 98% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Is East Chicago, IN safe to live in?

East Chicago has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting East Chicago is strongly recommended.

What is the violent crime rate in East Chicago?

The estimated violent crime rate in East Chicago is 938.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 147% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 107 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 13.0 per 100K (161% above average); aggravated assault at 684.5 per 100K (155% above average); robbery at 171.6 per 100K (132% above average).

What is the property crime rate in East Chicago?

The estimated property crime rate in East Chicago is 5,290.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 189% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 19 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 590.2 per 100K (119% above average); larceny/theft at 3,819.8 per 100K (172% above average); vehicle theft at 880.9 per 100K (176% above average).

How does East Chicago crime compare to the national average?

East Chicago's overall crime rate is 174% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (176% above average), while rape is 107% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, East Chicago has higher crime than 98% of them.

Is East Chicago safe to visit?

Visitors to East Chicago should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 189% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.

How does East Chicago crime compare to the rest of Indiana?

Indiana as a whole has crime that is 1% below the national average. East Chicago's crime rate is 174% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Indiana city.

What type of crime is most common in East Chicago?

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in East Chicago, with an estimated rate of 3,819.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 172% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (5,291 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (939 per 100K) in East Chicago, which is consistent with national trends.

Crime Statistics for Nearby Cities

Crime Statistics by State