Fort Wayne’s neighborhoods conjure up too many stereotypes to count. You’ve got hipster areas, preppy places, neighborhoods where college kids thrive, and of course, ghettos.
It seems as if there’s a neighborhood for everyone in Fort Wayne.
And while the city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Indiana thanks in part to tons of entertainment and jobs, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine in Fort Wayne. Some neighborhoods aren’t as safe as others.
So the question arises, which Fort Wayne neighborhoods are the most dangerous and which are the safest?
Today, we’ll use Saturday Night Science to determine which Fort Wayne hoods need a little tender loving care – the sore thumbs of the Fort Wayne area if you will. Realistically, you can’t expect all the neighborhoods to be amazing, although Pine Valley ranks way above the rest.
We examined 172 of Fort Wayne’s neighborhoods to find out the most dangerous places to live. These places don’t quite measure up to Fort Wayne’s reputation.
Table Of Contents: Top 10 | Methodology | Summary | Table
So what’s the worst neighborhood to live in Fort Wayne for 2024? According to the most recent census data, Highland Park Forest looks to be the worst neighborhood in Fort Wayne.
Read on to see how we determined the places around Fort Wayne that need a pick-me-up. And remember, don’t blame the messenger.
For more Indiana reading, check out:
The 10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods In Fort Wayne For 2024
/10
Population: 87
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 585
Property Crime Per 100k: 3,181
Median Home Value: $54,400 (11th worst)
Median Income: $29,762 (18th worst)
More on Highland Park Forest: Data
/10
Population: 413
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 661
Property Crime Per 100k: 3,595
Median Home Value: $58,150 (15th worst)
Median Income: $25,204 (5th worst)
More on Poplar: Data
/10
Population: 1,004
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 661
Property Crime Per 100k: 3,595
Median Home Value: $35,800 (3rd worst)
Median Income: $15,640 (worst)
More on East Side: Data
/10
Population: 272
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 575
Property Crime Per 100k: 3,131
Median Home Value: $77,000 (32nd worst)
Median Income: $22,396 (4th worst)
More on Ferndale: Data
/10
Population: 93
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 553
Property Crime Per 100k: 3,008
Median Home Value: $88,300 (54th worst)
Median Income: $28,443 (12th worst)
More on Oakland Park: Data
/10
Population: 656
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 643
Property Crime Per 100k: 3,502
Median Home Value: $50,867 (8th worst)
Median Income: $36,843 (30th worst)
More on Michigan Avenue: Data
/10
Population: 838
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 638
Property Crime Per 100k: 3,471
Median Home Value: $85,833 (46th worst)
Median Income: $25,572 (8th worst)
More on Memorial Park: Data
/10
Population: 341
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 634
Property Crime Per 100k: 3,452
Median Home Value: $29,300 (worst)
Median Income: $29,805 (19th worst)
More on Harvester: Data
/10
Population: 860
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 642
Property Crime Per 100k: 3,496
Median Home Value: $40,700 (4th worst)
Median Income: $31,802 (22nd worst)
More on Greater Mcmillen Park: Data
/10
Population: 971
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 639
Property Crime Per 100k: 3,477
Median Home Value: $45,750 (6th worst)
Median Income: $37,058 (3worst)
More on Pontiac Place: Data
Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous Fort Wayne neighborhoods in 2024
To figure out how bad a place is to live in, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what places have the least amount of those things. We plugged the following criteria into Saturday Night Science to get the worst neighborhoods in Fort Wayne:
- High crime (Estimated)
- High unemployment (Less jobs)
- Low median income (Less pay)
- Low population density (No things to do)
- Low home values (No one’s willing to pay to live here)
Then, we ranked each neighborhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana for each of these criteria from worst to best.
Next, we averaged the individual rankings for each criterion into a “Worst Score.”
The neighborhood with the lowest “Worst Score” ranks as the most dangerous neighborhood of Fort Wayne.
The article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. We updated this article for 2024. This report is our time ranking the worst neighborhoods to live in Fort Wayne.
Skip to the end to see the list of all 172 neighborhoods ranked from worst to best.
Summary: The Worst Neighborhoods Around Fort Wayne
Well, there you have it — the worst of the neighborhoods in Fort Wayne with Highland Park Forest landing at the bottom of the pack.
The worst neighborhoods in Fort Wayne are Highland Park Forest, Poplar, East Side, Ferndale, Oakland Park, Michigan Avenue, Memorial Park, Harvester, Greater McMillen Park, and Pontiac Place.
As mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Fort Wayne aren’t all bad. Pine Valley takes the cake as the best place to live in Fort Wayne.
The best neighborhoods in Fort Wayne are Pine Valley, Shorewood, Lincoln Village, Wheatridge, and Kekionga Shores.
We ranked the neighborhoods from worst to best in the chart below.
For more Indiana reading, check out:
Most Dangerous Neighborhoods To Live In Fort Wayne For 2024?
| Rank | Neighborhood | Population | Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highland Park Forest | 87 | $54,400 | $29,762 |
| 2 | Poplar | 413 | $58,150 | $25,204 |
| 3 | East Side | 1,004 | $35,800 | $15,640 |
| 4 | Ferndale | 272 | $77,000 | $22,396 |
| 5 | Oakland Park | 93 | $88,300 | $28,443 |
| 6 | Michigan Avenue | 656 | $50,867 | $36,843 |
| 7 | Memorial Park | 838 | $85,833 | $25,572 |
| 8 | Harvester | 341 | $29,300 | $29,805 |
| 9 | Greater Mcmillen Park | 860 | $40,700 | $31,802 |
| 10 | Pontiac Place | 971 | $45,750 | $37,058 |
| 11 | Vesey | 430 | $72,550 | $38,894 |
| 12 | Hickory Grove | 244 | $87,950 | $29,558 |
| 13 | Pettit-Rudisill | 4,255 | $40,920 | $27,753 |
| 14 | Creighton Home | 1,124 | $62,500 | $29,083 |
| 15 | Belle Vista | 166 | $79,400 | $46,186 |
| 16 | Anthony Wayne | 1,260 | $68,933 | $38,467 |
| 17 | Continental Park | 169 | $87,600 | $30,673 |
| 18 | East Central | 2,181 | $81,350 | $31,936 |
| 19 | South Calhoun Place | 231 | $72,900 | $54,046 |
| 20 | Oxford | 4,931 | $46,300 | $29,582 |
| 21 | Westfield | 834 | $72,550 | $38,894 |
| 22 | Nebraska | 1,630 | $64,600 | $37,130 |
| 23 | Casselwood Terrace | 204 | $87,600 | $30,673 |
| 24 | Kingston Park | 123 | $111,500 | $34,233 |
| 25 | Williams Park | 699 | $52,700 | $28,375 |
| 26 | Elmhurst | 224 | $83,800 | $51,365 |
| 27 | Morningside Terrace | 307 | $69,800 | $48,764 |
| 28 | South Suburan | 2,710 | $57,600 | $27,003 |
| 29 | Rudisill-Plaza | 351 | $54,900 | $37,115 |
| 30 | Taylor Street | 432 | $99,500 | $43,182 |
| 31 | Victoria Park | 565 | $88,300 | $28,443 |
| 32 | Hazelwood | 82 | $110,900 | $49,583 |
| 33 | North Sherwood Terrace And Silver Maples | 219 | $88,600 | $56,857 |
| 34 | Rolling Rose | 433 | $35,500 | $22,250 |
| 35 | Broad River | 1,472 | $52,700 | $40,966 |
| 36 | Lafayette Place | 749 | $72,900 | $54,046 |
| 37 | Hoagland Masterson | 987 | $92,600 | $35,769 |
| 38 | Maysville Heights | 271 | $86,600 | $18,967 |
| 39 | Hillcrest | 637 | $69,800 | $48,764 |
| 40 | Brookview | 1,027 | $61,925 | $37,778 |
| 41 | Sand Point | 686 | $83,800 | $51,365 |
| 42 | Bridlewood | 246 | $97,600 | $47,250 |
| 43 | Williams-Woodland Park | 731 | $106,700 | $35,768 |
| 44 | Southeast Waynedale | 465 | $89,200 | $44,368 |
| 45 | Reckeweg Road | 273 | $100,000 | $47,727 |
| 46 | Eldrado Hills | 261 | $97,600 | $47,250 |
| 47 | Summerfield | 453 | $88,600 | $56,857 |
| 48 | Fairfield | 1,900 | $85,550 | $45,199 |
| 49 | Hamilton | 2,928 | $66,950 | $40,261 |
| 50 | Greenview | 366 | $97,600 | $47,250 |
| 51 | South Wayne | 1,205 | $80,333 | $47,478 |
| 52 | Bloomingdale | 3,541 | $58,050 | $37,472 |
| 53 | New Kirkwood Park | 259 | $110,900 | $49,583 |
| 54 | Avalon Place | 874 | $89,200 | $44,368 |
| 55 | Oakdale | 1,764 | $77,250 | $47,940 |
| 56 | Westmoor Park | 248 | $116,800 | $45,404 |
| 57 | Larez | 1,390 | $63,750 | $28,514 |
| 58 | Crestwood Colony | 1,185 | $88,600 | $56,857 |
| 59 | Interurban Acres | 507 | $162,200 | $38,538 |
| 60 | Spy Run | 1,306 | $71,250 | $40,860 |
| 61 | Kyle Road | 995 | $88,200 | $56,544 |
| 62 | Southwest Waynedale | 759 | $65,700 | $36,536 |
| 63 | Five Points | 1,033 | $79,233 | $55,260 |
| 64 | Lofton Woods | 293 | $131,700 | $25,435 |
| 65 | North Franke Park | 429 | $101,700 | $57,019 |
| 66 | Old Trail | 746 | $74,400 | $37,143 |
| 67 | Lakewood Park | 290 | $127,600 | $42,142 |
| 68 | Monarch Park | 347 | $131,700 | $25,435 |
| 69 | North Anthony Area | 2,043 | $106,250 | $51,250 |
| 70 | West Central | 3,781 | $126,320 | $38,260 |
| 71 | Audubon Park | 92 | $150,100 | $89,024 |
| 72 | Somerset Acres | 117 | $116,400 | $62,917 |
| 73 | Southwick Village | 1,141 | $87,300 | $55,192 |
| 74 | Forest Park Boulevard | 531 | $118,650 | $48,037 |
| 75 | Imperial Gardens | 104 | $127,600 | $55,774 |
| 76 | Crown Colony | 1,395 | $87,300 | $55,192 |
| 77 | Brookside-Parkerdale | 983 | $109,450 | $55,375 |
| 78 | Northside | 7,017 | $96,729 | $48,812 |
| 79 | Lincoln Park | 756 | $80,000 | $59,276 |
| 80 | Countrybrook | 181 | $150,100 | $89,024 |
| 81 | Bohde Grove | 198 | $116,400 | $62,917 |
| 82 | Saint Marys River | 394 | $113,700 | $56,985 |
| 83 | Irvington Park | 180 | $83,700 | $61,912 |
| 84 | Glenwood Park | 2,191 | $111,500 | $62,299 |
| 85 | Greentree | 238 | $116,400 | $62,917 |
| 86 | Bellshire | 191 | $150,100 | $89,024 |
| 87 | Bellair | 324 | $99,500 | $49,297 |
| 88 | Countryside | 194 | $150,100 | $89,024 |
| 89 | Sawmill Woods | 308 | $101,250 | $41,262 |
| 90 | Fairmont | 831 | $95,000 | $70,582 |
| 91 | Blackhawk Forest | 404 | $127,700 | $50,804 |
| 92 | Maplewood Gardens | 135 | $116,300 | $68,786 |
| 93 | Village Woods | 1,512 | $72,300 | $46,455 |
| 94 | Westwood-Fairway | 1,154 | $121,050 | $49,540 |
| 95 | Frances Slocum | 2,306 | $102,680 | $58,600 |
| 96 | Willshire Estates | 143 | $116,300 | $68,786 |
| 97 | Springwood-Orchard Woods | 433 | $95,300 | $51,224 |
| 98 | North Highlands | 1,630 | $85,050 | $52,750 |
| 99 | Camelot | 156 | $116,300 | $68,786 |
| 100 | Park State East | 254 | $150,100 | $89,024 |
| 101 | Blackhawk Farms | 586 | $127,700 | $50,804 |
| 102 | Harrison Hill | 455 | $81,600 | $69,578 |
| 103 | Ranchwood | 756 | $136,800 | $31,960 |
| 104 | Cambridge Oaks | 185 | $122,500 | $55,865 |
| 105 | North Triangle | 452 | $83,700 | $61,912 |
| 106 | Tanbark Trails | 323 | $117,000 | $67,234 |
| 107 | Maplewood Terrace And Downs | 682 | $127,600 | $55,774 |
| 108 | Lakeshores | 530 | $149,050 | $51,044 |
| 109 | The Hollows | 107 | $118,300 | $71,000 |
| 110 | Blackhawk | 1,341 | $127,700 | $50,804 |
| 111 | Bass-Leesburg | 1,513 | $136,900 | $63,595 |
| 112 | Southwood Park | 1,856 | $108,400 | $65,471 |
| 113 | Oakhurst | 299 | $116,300 | $68,786 |
| 114 | Concord Hills | 390 | $117,000 | $67,234 |
| 115 | Parkview | 1,055 | $101,250 | $41,262 |
| 116 | Bullerman Park Forest | 408 | $116,300 | $68,786 |
| 117 | Log Cabin Park | 275 | $141,300 | $70,063 |
| 118 | Hearthstone | 153 | $148,600 | $67,254 |
| 119 | Wildwood Park | 882 | $224,900 | $33,893 |
| 120 | Valley Park Forest | 384 | $147,500 | $40,667 |
| 121 | Lakes Of Buckingham | 221 | $118,300 | $71,000 |
| 122 | Summit Ridge | 233 | $118,300 | $71,000 |
| 123 | Eldorado Hills | 127 | $148,400 | $62,708 |
| 124 | Kirkwood Park | 278 | $121,500 | $67,852 |
| 125 | Maplewood Park | 887 | $122,500 | $55,865 |
| 126 | Greenfield | 177 | $121,300 | $63,500 |
| 127 | Georgetown Place | 549 | $147,500 | $40,667 |
| 128 | Wyndemere | 239 | $185,300 | $52,109 |
| 129 | Brandonwood | 207 | $121,300 | $63,500 |
| 130 | Falls Of Beaver Creek | 127 | $123,900 | $59,274 |
| 131 | New Glenwood | 1,064 | $118,300 | $76,987 |
| 132 | Burnham Woods | 70 | $150,700 | $81,250 |
| 133 | Walden | 1,072 | $118,300 | $76,987 |
| 134 | Shores Of Oakborough | 207 | $166,500 | $88,207 |
| 135 | Old Brook Farm | 251 | $121,300 | $63,500 |
| 136 | Millstone | 352 | $148,600 | $67,254 |
| 137 | Statewood Park | 394 | $118,300 | $71,000 |
| 138 | Brookside Park | 274 | $121,300 | $63,500 |
| 139 | Kern Valley Meadows | 263 | $153,100 | $63,960 |
| 140 | Village Of Buckingham | 434 | $118,300 | $71,000 |
| 141 | Abby Place | 153 | $123,900 | $59,274 |
| 142 | Inverness Hills | 84 | $326,100 | $79,821 |
| 143 | Aldale Acres | 173 | $147,800 | $65,300 |
| 144 | Winterfield | 273 | $166,500 | $88,207 |
| 145 | Auburn Farms | 106 | $154,800 | $68,990 |
| 146 | Becketts Run | 121 | $154,800 | $68,990 |
| 147 | Waterswolde | 225 | $148,400 | $62,708 |
| 148 | Kensington Downs | 441 | $153,100 | $63,960 |
| 149 | Saratoga Park | 909 | $171,000 | $107,127 |
| 150 | Lake Forest | 720 | $146,200 | $50,880 |
| 151 | Liberty Hill | 184 | $160,850 | $83,334 |
| 152 | Winterset | 250 | $170,500 | $59,947 |
| 153 | Centerhurst | 500 | $121,300 | $63,500 |
| 154 | Sunny Meadows | 288 | $185,300 | $64,148 |
| 155 | Liberty Hills West | 106 | $171,000 | $85,417 |
| 156 | Inverness Lakes | 401 | $292,150 | $85,473 |
| 157 | Oakborough | 474 | $166,500 | $88,207 |
| 158 | Manor Park | 264 | $154,800 | $68,990 |
| 159 | Wallen Chase | 274 | $154,800 | $68,990 |
| 160 | Copper Hill | 523 | $166,500 | $88,207 |
| 161 | Centaur Acres | 202 | $258,200 | $91,125 |
| 162 | Aboite Meadows | 486 | $166,500 | $90,909 |
| 163 | Northwood Park | 188 | $159,900 | $69,380 |
| 164 | Plantation Of Aboite | 140 | $171,000 | $85,398 |
| 165 | Timber Lake-Covington Woods | 518 | $258,200 | $89,982 |
| 166 | Tamarak | 398 | $185,300 | $64,148 |
| 167 | Westlawn | 736 | $123,900 | $59,274 |
| 168 | Kekionga Shores | 249 | $171,000 | $85,417 |
| 169 | Wheatridge | 291 | $159,900 | $69,380 |
| 170 | Lincoln Village | 1,196 | $157,350 | $69,185 |
| 171 | Shorewood | 686 | $212,000 | $96,516 |
| 172 | Pine Valley | 2,038 | $191,000 | $90,801 |