A Ranking of the Toughest Places to Live in the U.S.

North Lawndale’s history is a blueprint of how cities abandon Black communities. Once a bustling Jewish neighborhood, it became predominantly African-American in the mid-20th century, and then the jobs and banks vanished.

Today, violent crime remains among the highest in Chicago, and one-third of properties sit vacant. Still, 30,000 residents remain, many deeply engaged in revitalization. Green spaces are returning, youth arts programs are thriving, and murals color brick walls with resistance.