Study discovers Chicago's five most diverse neighborhoods

July 23, 4:58 PMChicago Neighborhood ExaminerDana Kavan

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Map of Chicago's diverse 'hoods, courtesy of the study

I long believed that Rogers Park, which has 80 languages spoken within its boundaries, was Chicago’s most ethnically diverse neighborhood. Not so. I also would not have guessed that Lincoln Park, with posh boutiques, million-dollar homes and an “elite” social organization that pledges to drive Jettas and buy designer handbags, is one of the most income-diverse communities in the city. DePaul’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development  recently completed a diversity study based on U.S. Census data for Chicago’s neighborhoods. Here are some of the findings—both surprising and expected—from the 19-page report:

Ethnic Diversity:

• Chicago is much more diverse ethnically than it was 25 years ago. This is due in large part to the influx of Latino immigrants, which now make up about 26 percent of all Chicago residents.
• Albany Park, Rogers Park and Hyde Park are known to proudly flaunt their ethnic diversity, but in actuality, Uptown is the most diverse.
• At 58 percent, Albany Park has the highest percentage of foreign-born residents.

Income Diversity:

• Most income diverse neighborhoods are located near the Loop, within four miles.
• Hyde Park is the most economically diverse neighborhood, which makes sense considering it’s home to University of Chicago student housing and Barack Obama’s $1.65 million digs. West Town comes in second.
• In Hyde Park, households that earn $100,000 a year or more make up 15.6 percent of the neighborhood’s population, followed by 37.8 percent middle-income and 46.5 percent low-income.
• Likely to see a major increase in high-income households over the next two years, Bridgeport and other near southwest neighborhoods are predicted to surpass Hyde Park and West Town in terms of income diversity.

Age Diversity:

• The study was surprised to find that certain neighborhoods are very much segregated by age. In an interview with Chicago Public Radio, researcher Lauren Fisher cited Wicker Park, which she says “caters to young adults without children and with disposable income.” No surprise there.
• Hyde Park has the lowest percentage of children in the entire city—just 13 percent.
• The areas with the greatest age diversity were on the South Side, including South Chicago and Ashburn.

Top five overall most diverse neighborhoods:

1. Uptown
2. Rogers Park
3. Hyde Park
4. Bridgeport
5. Albany Park

If you’ve got some time on your hands, I highly recommend reading the whole report. While it does in fact read like, well, a report, with a hefty hand of academic jargon, it highlights interesting trends and historical shifts, including the affects of gentrification on these communities. A good read regardless of where you live.