Two Chicago Neighborhoods—Same City, But Starkly Different Worlds

A dataset on health measures in U.S. cities shows the difference in life expectancy between two Chicago neighborhoods is 30 years.

2 minute read

June 30, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Chicago

Natapong Ratanavi / Shutterstock

Jamiles Lartey reports on an analysis of health outcomes in U.S. cities that shows the biggest discrepancy in life expectancy between two neighborhoods in a city is in Chicago. "In predominantly white Streeterville, Chicagoans can expect to live to 90. In Englewood, where the population is virtually all black, life expectancy is just 60."

The City Health Dashboard is a project from NYU Langone Health that has compiled data on a series of health measures for the 500 largest American cities. The 30-year gap in life expectancy in Chicago highlights the extreme differences that can exist within the same city as a result of factors such as poverty, access to health care, and violence.

In Englewood, public health researchers are trying to understand what is driving the problematic health outcomes, writes Lartey:

[Rodney] Johnson is one member of a team of "community health navigators" who this week began conducting a door-to-door survey. One of the most pressing questions they’re trying to answer is why there seems to be a disconnect between services that are actually available in the community and residents who do not use them.

Lartey notes that while the situation in Englewood is dire, residents are also taking initiative to improve health and the quality of life in their neighborhood. Empty lots have become gardens and community spaces, residents advocated to bring a Whole Foods into Englewood, and nonprofit organizations are working with youth to address gun violence.

Sunday, June 23, 2019 in The Guardian

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today