Chicago homicides were down 2 percent citywide last year compared with 2010, but there were a few communities on the South and West sides that saw their homicide numbers rise, RedEye data shows.
Chicago logged 440 homicides in 2011, down from 449 in 2010, a RedEye analysis of preliminary police data found. However, some areas—including Austin, Englewood and Woodlawn—saw an increase of 30 percent or more increase in their homicide numbers from 2010 to 2011, according to RedEye data.
Sgt. Antoinette Ursitti said Chicago police are compiling final homicide numbers for 2011 and would not comment until then.
RedEye data shows that while overall homicide numbers were down, the number of gunshot fatalities rose from 364 victims in 2010 to 371 in 2011. The number of people stabbed and strangled to death were down in 2011 compared with the previous year.
The city saw improvement in homicide numbers in the summer months, typically the time of the year when violence rises. Homicide numbers were down in May, June and August compared with 2010, but the city didn't fare as well in the cold weather months.
Homicides were up September through December compared with that same period in 2010, a trend that is continuing into 2012.
While no homicide is typical, there are some patterns in violent crime. For example, gunshot victims tend to be young black males killed on the South Side. One in 4 assault and abuse victims were female. RedEye took a look at 2011 homicide statistics based on gender, race and age of the victims and the type, time and location of the crimes.
Gender
2011
Males: 397
Females: 43
2010
Males: 396
Females: 53
Race
2011
Black: 333
White or Hispanic: 99
Asian: 2
Unknown: 6
2010
Black: 347
White or Hispanic: 96
Asian: 1
Unknown: 5
(medical examiner categorizes victims as white or white/Hispanic)
How they died
2011
Gunshot: 371
Assault/trauma/abuse: 29
Stabbing: 27
Auto crash: 6
Strangulation: 3
Asphyxia: 1
Fall from height: 1
Sharp force injuries: 1
Suffocation: 1
2010
Gunshot: 364
Stabbing: 32
Abuse/assault/trauma: 31
Strangulation: 12
Auto crash: 3
Arson: 2
Asphyxia: 2
Neglect: 2
Unknown: 1
When they died
2011
12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m.: 89
4:01 a.m. to 8 a.m.: 36
8:01 a.m. to noon: 41
12:01 p.m. to 4 p.m.: 63
4:01 p.m. to 8 p.m.: 90
8:01 p.m. to midnight: 116
Unknown: 5
2010
12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m.: 98
4:01 a.m. to 8 a.m.: 31
8:01 a.m. to noon: 30
12:01 p.m. to 4 p.m.: 51
4:01 p.m. to 8 p.m.: 86
8:01 p.m. to midnight: 137
Unknown: 16
Age
2011
Victims were 12 years old or younger: 9
Victims between the ages of 13 and 19: 88
Victims between the ages of 20 and 25: 133
Victims between the ages of 26 and 30: 60
Victims between the ages of 31 and 40: 76
Victims 41 and older: 61
Victims had an unknown age: 13
2010
Victims were 12 years old or younger: 18
Victims between the ages of 13 and 19: 89
Victims between the ages of 20 and 25: 111
Victims between the ages of 26 and 30: 85
Victims between the ages of 31 and 40: 67
Victims 41 and older: 69
Victims had an unknown age: 10
Victims by month of incident
2011
January: 28
February: 25
March: 22
April: 30
May: 39
June: 44
July: 55
August: 37
September: 39
October: 47
November: 38
December: 36
2010
January: 20
February: 24
March: 31
April: 47
May: 48
June: 54
July: 42
August: 60
September: 31
October: 35
November: 32
December: 25
Top 10 community areas
Austin: 30
West Englewood: 29
Englewood: 24
Humboldt Park: 21
Greater Grand Crossing: 20
Chatham: 17
Chicago Lawn: 17
Roseland: 17
South Shore: 16
New City: 15
North Lawndale: 15
tswartz@tribune.com | @tracyswartz
