Woodlawn noise map: how loud is it?

Woodlawn is home to about 24,343 residents across 25 census tracts. 4.4% of them are exposed to 60 dB or more of average-day road, rail and aviation noise. Within that, 0.5% face the most severe band — 70 dB or louder, the level at which sustained exposure starts to threaten hearing. A further 95.6% sit in the 45–60 dB band — a noticeable background hum rather than a hearing risk. That ranks Woodlawn #70 of 77 Chicago neighborhoods, quieter than most Chicago neighborhoods. Among Chicago neighborhoods it sits just below Gage Park (#69) and just above Belmont Cragin (#71).

Woodlawn mostly sits away from the loud corridors. Where the noise does climb it traces a single freeway, rail line or flight path near the edge of the neighborhood rather than the residential core, so the great majority of blocks stay calm. The map pinpoints exactly where the exposure is.

Woodlawn noise: the specifics

• Ranks #70 of 77 Chicago neighborhoods by share of residents exposed to ≥60 dB transportation noise.
• 4.4% of Woodlawn's ~24,343 residents live with 60 dB or louder average-day transportation noise.
• 0.5% are in the severe 70 dB+ band; 95.6% sit in the 45–60 dB moderate range.
• Area-weighted across 25 census tracts from the federal BTS 2020 noise map × ACS 2016–2020 population.
• #70 of 77 — see the full Chicago ranking.