Chatham noise map: how loud is it?

Chatham is home to about 31,439 residents across 19 census tracts. 12.6% of them are exposed to 60 dB or more of average-day road, rail and aviation noise. Within that, 2.4% face the most severe band — 70 dB or louder, the level at which sustained exposure starts to threaten hearing. A further 87.4% sit in the 45–60 dB band — a noticeable background hum rather than a hearing risk. That ranks Chatham #25 of 77 Chicago neighborhoods, louder than most Chicago neighborhoods. Among Chicago neighborhoods it sits just below Hyde Park (#24) and just above North Center (#26).

Exposure across Chatham is a patchwork. The streets that back onto a freeway, rail line or flight path carry most of the 12.6%, while interior blocks a few hundred feet away can sit 15 to 25 dB quieter. The map makes that split easy to see.

Chatham noise: the specifics

• Ranks #25 of 77 Chicago neighborhoods by share of residents exposed to ≥60 dB transportation noise.
• 12.6% of Chatham's ~31,439 residents live with 60 dB or louder average-day transportation noise.
• 2.4% are in the severe 70 dB+ band; 87.4% sit in the 45–60 dB moderate range.
• Area-weighted across 19 census tracts from the federal BTS 2020 noise map × ACS 2016–2020 population.
• #25 of 77 — see the full Chicago ranking.