Is Calumet Park Safe, Pros and cons of living in Calumet Park

Is it Safe to Live in Calumet Park?

Calumet Park’s overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, with a total crime rate that is 113% higher per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Calumet Park is about 1 in 104, and the chance of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 29 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). These statistics indicate that Calumet Park ranks in the 11th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than only 11% of U.S. cities (as reported by AreaVibes). The village has a crime rate of 4510 per 100,000 residents, which is 112.8% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Violent crime rates in Calumet Park are notably high, with a rate of 987 per 100,000 people, placing it in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crime is also a concern, with a rate of 3523 per 100,000 residents, which is 100.1% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). The most common crime in Calumet Park is larceny/theft, with an estimated rate of 2,347.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 67% above the national average (as reported by DoorProfit).

Cost of Living and Housing

Housing Costs

The median home value in Calumet Park is approximately $184,700 (as reported by Niche). This is considerably lower than the national median home value of $332,700 (as reported by Niche). Renting in Calumet Park is also more affordable, with the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment being around $1,038 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). This is 37% lower than the national average rent of $1,642 per month (as reported by Apartments.com).

Calumet Park’s housing expenses are 45% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). The median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Calumet Park is $1,400, which is 28% lower than the national average (as reported by Zumper). The median rent in Calumet Park is $1,200, which is $269 below the national average rent of $1,469 (as reported by HotPads).

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Calumet Park is 14% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Utility prices are 8% lower than the national average, while transportation expenses are comparable to the national average (as reported by Payscale). Grocery prices in Calumet Park are 2% higher than the national average, and healthcare costs are 6% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Economy and Job Market

Major Employers

While specific major employers within Calumet Park are not extensively detailed, the broader Chicago metropolitan area offers a diverse job market. Major employers in nearby Calumet City include businesses in the food service and retail sectors, such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Walgreens, Burger King, and Family Dollar (as reported by Indeed.com). Other companies like Ace Hardware and State Farm also have a presence in the region (as reported by Indeed.com).

Employment and Salaries

The economy of Calumet Park employs approximately 2,890 people (as reported by Data USA). The largest industries are Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services, Transportation & Warehousing, and Health Care & Social Assistance (as reported by Data USA). The average salary in Calumet Park is approximately $23.61 per hour or $49,111 per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Calumet Park was $53,556 in 2024, a slight decline from the previous year (as reported by Data USA).

The unemployment rate in Calumet Park is reported as 10% (as reported by Niche). However, other sources indicate a higher unemployment rate, with one report stating 13.7% for Calumet Park village in 2024 (as reported by Census Reporter). The median household income in Calumet Park is $53,556 (as reported by Data USA), which is below the state average of $83,390 (as reported by Census Reporter).

Climate

Temperatures and Rainfall

Calumet Park experiences warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, with the weather being partly cloudy year-round (as reported by AccuWeather). The average daily high temperature during the warm season, from May to September, is above 73°F. July is the hottest month, with an average high of 83°F and a low of 67°F (as reported by AccuWeather). The cold season, from December to March, has average daily high temperatures below 42°F.

January is the coldest month, with an average low of 20°F and a high of 33°F (as reported by AccuWeather). The average annual rainfall is 38 inches, with June receiving the most rain at 3.6 inches, and January receiving the least at 1.0 inch (as reported by Livability.com). The average annual snowfall is 23 inches (as reported by Livability.com).

Education

School Ratings

Public schools in Calumet Park are generally considered to be below state averages. The Calumet Public School District No. 132 includes Burr Oak Elementary School, Burr Oak Academy, and Calumet Elementary School. These schools serve students in grades PK-8. State test scores indicate that only 4% of students are proficient in math and 17% in reading within the district (as reported by Niche). Burr Oak Elementary School, serving grades 3-5, had an English Language Arts proficiency rate of 26% in a recent school year, compared to the state average of 53.1% (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Mathematics proficiency rates are particularly low, with Calumet Elementary School scoring only 4.8% proficient across all grades, compared to the state average of 38.5% (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). All three schools exhibit high chronic absenteeism rates, significantly exceeding the state average (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Despite relatively high spending per student, academic performance remains a challenge (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics

Population and Diversity

Calumet Park has a population of approximately 6,855 residents (as reported by Data USA). The village is predominantly Black or African American, making up about 77% of the population (as reported by World Population Review). Other racial groups include Hispanic (7.7%) and those identifying with two or more races (7.4%) (as reported by World Population Review).

The median age in Calumet Park is 37.5 years (as reported by World Population Review). Approximately 20.8% of residents are under 18, and 19.2% are 65 or older (as reported by Wikipedia). The foreign-born population is around 3.11%, which is similar to the national average (as reported by Data USA).