Near South Side noise map: how loud is it?

Near South Side is home to about 25,296 residents across 10 census tracts. 29% of them are exposed to 60 dB or more of average-day road, rail and aviation noise. Within that, 4% face the most severe band — 70 dB or louder, the level at which sustained exposure starts to threaten hearing. A further 69.6% sit in the 45–60 dB band — a noticeable background hum rather than a hearing risk. That ranks Near South Side #8 of 77 Chicago neighborhoods, well above the typical Chicago neighborhood. Among Chicago neighborhoods it sits just below Burnside (#7) and just above Loop (#9).

The exposure is not spread evenly. The 4% in the 70 dB-plus band are the households packed right against a freeway, rail corridor or flight path, while blocks a few streets inland fall away fast. On the map that reads as a bright ribbon of noise tracing the corridor through Near South Side.

Near South Side noise: the specifics

• Ranks #8 of 77 Chicago neighborhoods by share of residents exposed to ≥60 dB transportation noise.
• 29% of Near South Side's ~25,296 residents live with 60 dB or louder average-day transportation noise.
• 4% are in the severe 70 dB+ band; 69.6% sit in the 45–60 dB moderate range.
• Area-weighted across 10 census tracts from the federal BTS 2020 noise map × ACS 2016–2020 population.
• #8 of 77 — see the full Chicago ranking.