West Elsdon noise map: how loud is it?

West Elsdon is home to about 18,325 residents across 11 census tracts. 22% of them are exposed to 60 dB or more of average-day road, rail and aviation noise. Within that, 1.1% face the most severe band — 70 dB or louder, the level at which sustained exposure starts to threaten hearing. A further 78% sit in the 45–60 dB band — a noticeable background hum rather than a hearing risk. That ranks West Elsdon #12 of 77 Chicago neighborhoods, well above the typical Chicago neighborhood. Among Chicago neighborhoods it sits just below O'Hare (#11) and just above Oakland (#13).

The exposure is not spread evenly. The 1.1% 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 West Elsdon.

West Elsdon noise: the specifics

• Ranks #12 of 77 Chicago neighborhoods by share of residents exposed to ≥60 dB transportation noise.
• 22% of West Elsdon's ~18,325 residents live with 60 dB or louder average-day transportation noise.
• 1.1% are in the severe 70 dB+ band; 78% sit in the 45–60 dB moderate range.
• Area-weighted across 11 census tracts from the federal BTS 2020 noise map × ACS 2016–2020 population.
• #12 of 77 — see the full Chicago ranking.