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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 the country thanks in part to a strong economy and tons of entertainment, it's not all rainbows and sunshine in Fort Wayne. Some neighborhoods aren't as great as others.
So the question arises, which Fort Wayne neighborhoods are the worst, and which are the best?
Today, we'll use science and data 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 Cherry Hill ranks way above the rest.
We examined 222 of Fort Wayne's neighborhoods to find out the worst places to live. These places don't quite measure up to Fort Wayne's reputation.
So what's the worst neighborhood to live in Fort Wayne for 2022? 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.
Once you're done, you can look at the bottom of the story for a complete chart of every neighborhood we looked at from worst to best. Looking for places to avoid outside of the city? You can also check out the worst suburbs of Fort Wayne.
For more Indiana reading, check out:
Source: Public domain
The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Fort Wayne For 2022
Population: 82
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $56,600 (28th worst)
Median Income: $24,271 (18th worst)
More on Highland Park Forest: Data
Population: 343
Rank Last Year: 2 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $34,600 (5th worst)
Median Income: $24,211 (17th worst)
More on Harvester: Data
Population: 205
Rank Last Year: 3 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $82,100 (60th worst)
Median Income: $11,674 (2nd worst)
More on Branning Hills: Data
Population: 252
Rank Last Year: 4 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $45,600 (16th worst)
Median Income: $22,034 (8th worst)
More on Suburan Heights: Data
Population: 99
Rank Last Year: 5 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $75,300 (50th worst)
Median Income: $25,503 (20th worst)
More on Oakland Park: Data
Population: 564
Rank Last Year: 7 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $29,900 (3rd worst)
Median Income: $19,034 (6th worst)
More on Poplar: Data
Population: 782
Rank Last Year: 6 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $40,967 (14th worst)
Median Income: $18,175 (4th worst)
More on Memorial Park: Data
Population: 208
Rank Last Year: 8 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $72,900 (43rd worst)
Median Income: $11,426 (worst)
More on Ferndale: Data
Population: 539
Rank Last Year: 10 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $47,500 (17th worst)
Median Income: $32,117 (38th worst)
More on Vesey: Data
Population: 1,869
Rank Last Year: 12 (Up 2)
Median Home Value: $54,433 (25th worst)
Median Income: $22,344 (11th worst)
More on South Suburan: Data
Methodology: How we determined the worst Fort Wayne neighborhoods in 2022
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 threw the following criteria into this analysis in order to get the best, most complete results possible. We used this set of criteria for each neighborhood in Fort Wayne:
- 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)
- High crime (Estimated)
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 criteria into a "Worst Score".
The neighborhood with the lowest "Worst Score" ranks as the worst neighborhood of Fort Wayne.
Read on below to learn more about these terrible places around Fort Wayne to live. Or skip to the end to see the list of all 222 neighborhoods ranked from worst to best.
This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased. Hold on to your pants.
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.
As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Fort Wayne aren't all bad. Cherry Hill takes the cake as the best place to live in Fort Wayne.
We ranked the neighborhoods from worst to best in the chart below.
For more Indiana reading, check out:
Where Are The Worst Neighborhoods To Live In Fort Wayne For 2022?
Rank |
Neighborhood |
Population |
Home Value |
Median Income |
1 |
Highland Park Forest |
82 |
$56,600 |
$24,271 |
2 |
Harvester |
343 |
$34,600 |
$24,211 |
3 |
Branning Hills |
205 |
$82,100 |
$11,674 |
4 |
Suburan Heights |
252 |
$45,600 |
$22,034 |
5 |
Oakland Park |
99 |
$75,300 |
$25,503 |
6 |
Poplar |
564 |
$29,900 |
$19,034 |
7 |
Memorial Park |
782 |
$40,967 |
$18,175 |
8 |
Ferndale |
208 |
$72,900 |
$11,426 |
9 |
Vesey |
539 |
$47,500 |
$32,117 |
10 |
South Suburan |
1,869 |
$54,433 |
$22,344 |
11 |
Greater Mcmillen Park |
889 |
$38,100 |
$23,880 |
12 |
Mount Vernon Park |
790 |
$45,600 |
$22,034 |
13 |
East Side |
1,103 |
$27,600 |
$24,063 |
14 |
Hoagland Masterson |
699 |
$49,700 |
$22,038 |
15 |
Michigan Avenue |
579 |
$40,633 |
$25,938 |
16 |
Larez |
1,529 |
$35,300 |
$21,159 |
17 |
East Central |
2,566 |
$29,240 |
$23,390 |
18 |
Westfield |
1,228 |
$64,650 |
$37,968 |
19 |
Pontiac Place |
945 |
$35,750 |
$22,927 |
20 |
North Sherwood Terrace And Silver Maples |
191 |
$83,600 |
$41,317 |
21 |
Taylor Street |
365 |
$81,800 |
$43,819 |
22 |
Creighton Home |
1,045 |
$39,400 |
$27,558 |
23 |
Anthony Wayne |
1,139 |
$35,950 |
$28,896 |
24 |
Brookview |
668 |
$55,767 |
$29,514 |
25 |
Pettit-Rudisill |
5,147 |
$39,314 |
$23,310 |
26 |
Victoria Park |
602 |
$75,300 |
$25,503 |
27 |
Continental Park |
195 |
$88,400 |
$28,507 |
28 |
Oxford |
5,055 |
$40,543 |
$26,664 |
29 |
Hickory Grove |
210 |
$88,400 |
$28,507 |
30 |
Rolling Rose |
410 |
$62,800 |
$29,250 |
31 |
Casselwood Terrace |
235 |
$88,400 |
$28,507 |
32 |
Village Green |
92 |
$81,500 |
$52,722 |
33 |
Broad River |
1,393 |
$53,033 |
$32,236 |
34 |
Five Points |
1,329 |
$69,633 |
$36,189 |
35 |
Summerfield |
395 |
$83,600 |
$41,317 |
36 |
South Calhoun Place |
184 |
$54,300 |
$38,289 |
37 |
Nebraska |
1,696 |
$55,750 |
$34,251 |
38 |
Rudisill-Plaza |
274 |
$47,900 |
$29,821 |
39 |
Spy Run |
1,492 |
$53,550 |
$29,036 |
40 |
Williams-Woodland Park |
758 |
$71,950 |
$29,356 |
41 |
Elmhurst |
204 |
$89,100 |
$43,835 |
42 |
West Central |
3,775 |
$71,260 |
$25,504 |
43 |
Belle Vista |
222 |
$89,100 |
$43,835 |
44 |
Morningside Terrace |
223 |
$65,100 |
$30,471 |
45 |
Bloomingdale |
3,180 |
$51,325 |
$34,898 |
46 |
Colonial Heritage |
162 |
$81,500 |
$52,722 |
47 |
Fairfield Terrace-Belmont |
1,149 |
$67,900 |
$38,548 |
48 |
Crestwood Colony |
1,033 |
$83,600 |
$41,317 |
49 |
Maysville Heights |
285 |
$82,700 |
$18,750 |
50 |
Sand Point |
607 |
$84,350 |
$37,052 |
51 |
Kingston Park |
103 |
$122,700 |
$35,678 |
52 |
Hamilton |
2,826 |
$58,060 |
$35,688 |
53 |
Lafayette Place |
596 |
$54,300 |
$38,289 |
54 |
Tower Heights |
370 |
$83,300 |
$37,000 |
55 |
Sawmill Woods |
397 |
$86,000 |
$34,416 |
56 |
Williams Park |
772 |
$33,100 |
$17,824 |
57 |
North Franke Park |
485 |
$86,900 |
$35,536 |
58 |
Audubon Park |
81 |
$90,600 |
$49,000 |
59 |
Reckeweg Road |
373 |
$90,600 |
$42,794 |
60 |
Hillcrest |
462 |
$65,100 |
$30,471 |
61 |
South Wayne |
1,576 |
$70,000 |
$43,480 |
62 |
Southeast Waynedale |
375 |
$82,500 |
$38,112 |
63 |
Lincoln Park |
858 |
$73,150 |
$48,416 |
64 |
Kyle Road |
908 |
$79,600 |
$30,270 |
65 |
Oakdale |
1,872 |
$73,300 |
$42,378 |
66 |
Kirkwood Park |
283 |
$91,900 |
$36,538 |
67 |
Countrybrook |
153 |
$90,600 |
$49,000 |
68 |
Bellshire |
162 |
$90,600 |
$49,000 |
69 |
Countryside |
164 |
$90,600 |
$49,000 |
70 |
Wyndemere |
212 |
$94,100 |
$35,266 |
71 |
Avalon Place |
704 |
$82,500 |
$38,112 |
72 |
Sunny Meadows |
235 |
$94,100 |
$35,266 |
73 |
Caribe Colony |
29 |
$99,800 |
$59,554 |
74 |
Brentwood Park |
773 |
$85,600 |
$34,650 |
75 |
Irvington Park |
124 |
$57,100 |
$36,780 |
76 |
Westmoor Park |
283 |
$104,400 |
$40,022 |
77 |
Somerset Acres |
83 |
$91,800 |
$45,583 |
78 |
Southwest Waynedale |
737 |
$73,800 |
$29,510 |
79 |
Village Woods |
1,400 |
$75,200 |
$42,678 |
80 |
Fairfield |
1,643 |
$61,100 |
$36,967 |
81 |
Park State East |
215 |
$90,600 |
$49,000 |
82 |
Bohde Grove |
140 |
$91,800 |
$45,583 |
83 |
Interurban Acres |
335 |
$143,300 |
$41,954 |
84 |
Greentree |
168 |
$91,800 |
$45,583 |
85 |
Hazelwood |
64 |
$84,300 |
$51,313 |
86 |
The Hollows |
108 |
$101,400 |
$53,333 |
87 |
Bridlewood |
213 |
$90,400 |
$46,250 |
88 |
Bellair |
380 |
$83,300 |
$47,768 |
89 |
North Highlands |
1,229 |
$75,100 |
$54,784 |
90 |
Southwick Village |
1,101 |
$79,900 |
$48,875 |
91 |
Eldrado Hills |
227 |
$90,400 |
$46,250 |
92 |
Ranchwood |
980 |
$112,000 |
$35,082 |
93 |
Log Cabin Park |
245 |
$106,800 |
$50,722 |
94 |
North Triangle |
252 |
$57,100 |
$36,780 |
95 |
Crown Colony |
1,398 |
$79,900 |
$48,875 |
96 |
Lofton Woods |
339 |
$111,900 |
$49,375 |
97 |
Westwood-Fairway |
1,019 |
$111,600 |
$36,513 |
98 |
Harrison Hill |
528 |
$74,850 |
$47,420 |
99 |
Hoevelwood |
391 |
$79,600 |
$43,571 |
100 |
Springwood-Orchard Woods |
574 |
$91,500 |
$47,028 |
101 |
Greenview |
317 |
$90,400 |
$46,250 |
102 |
Cambridge Oaks |
196 |
$102,200 |
$55,298 |
103 |
Frances Slocum |
2,501 |
$83,820 |
$45,608 |
104 |
Monarch Park |
402 |
$111,900 |
$49,375 |
105 |
Lakes Of Buckingham |
222 |
$101,400 |
$53,333 |
106 |
Glenwood Park |
1,190 |
$116,550 |
$43,776 |
107 |
Summit Ridge |
234 |
$101,400 |
$53,333 |
108 |
Bass-Leesburg |
1,549 |
$113,575 |
$49,201 |
109 |
Mill Ridge Place |
106 |
$124,400 |
$61,172 |
110 |
Old Trail |
700 |
$69,900 |
$41,513 |
111 |
Fairmont |
618 |
$86,800 |
$48,079 |
112 |
Maplewood Terrace And Downs |
665 |
$104,600 |
$51,321 |
113 |
Illsley Place |
70 |
$96,500 |
$49,519 |
114 |
Auburn Farms |
102 |
$132,800 |
$57,896 |
115 |
Becketts Run |
116 |
$132,800 |
$57,896 |
116 |
Brookside-Parkerdale |
736 |
$90,400 |
$46,250 |
117 |
New Kirkwood Park |
201 |
$84,300 |
$51,313 |
118 |
Statewood Park |
396 |
$101,400 |
$53,333 |
119 |
Maplewood Gardens |
207 |
$105,000 |
$57,826 |
120 |
Northside |
6,424 |
$87,700 |
$50,693 |
121 |
Village Of Buckingham |
436 |
$101,400 |
$53,333 |
122 |
Willshire Estates |
219 |
$105,000 |
$57,826 |
123 |
Camelot |
240 |
$105,000 |
$57,826 |
124 |
Falls Of Beaver Creek |
147 |
$154,300 |
$52,679 |
125 |
Eldorado Hills |
164 |
$128,600 |
$57,222 |
126 |
Wedgewood Place |
198 |
$121,800 |
$70,509 |
127 |
Sherwood To Pettit |
494 |
$81,000 |
$53,636 |
128 |
Maplewood Park |
940 |
$102,200 |
$55,298 |
129 |
Manor Park |
254 |
$132,800 |
$57,896 |
130 |
Lakewood Park |
322 |
$113,700 |
$56,985 |
131 |
Woodhurst |
227 |
$125,500 |
$51,500 |
132 |
Wallen Chase |
264 |
$132,800 |
$57,896 |
133 |
Abby Place |
178 |
$154,300 |
$52,679 |
134 |
North Anthony Area |
1,909 |
$93,033 |
$57,454 |
135 |
Jonathon Oaks |
269 |
$121,800 |
$70,509 |
136 |
Newfield |
87 |
$112,300 |
$61,667 |
137 |
Oakhurst |
459 |
$105,000 |
$57,826 |
138 |
Saint Marys River |
394 |
$113,700 |
$56,985 |
139 |
Tanbark Trails |
250 |
$105,900 |
$64,410 |
140 |
Breconshire |
99 |
$118,200 |
$37,250 |
141 |
Waterswolde |
289 |
$128,600 |
$57,222 |
142 |
Greenfield |
120 |
$97,500 |
$61,838 |
143 |
Bullerman Park Forest |
627 |
$105,000 |
$57,826 |
144 |
Concord Hills |
302 |
$105,900 |
$64,410 |
145 |
Kern Valley Meadows |
229 |
$130,500 |
$62,969 |
146 |
Hearthstone |
178 |
$123,000 |
$62,226 |
147 |
Foster Park |
320 |
$96,500 |
$49,519 |
148 |
Brandonwood |
141 |
$97,500 |
$61,838 |
149 |
New Glenwood |
1,269 |
$113,900 |
$56,104 |
150 |
Walden |
1,274 |
$113,900 |
$56,104 |
151 |
Lake Pointe Villas |
120 |
$158,500 |
$80,227 |
152 |
Old Brook Farm |
170 |
$97,500 |
$61,838 |
153 |
Kensington Downs |
387 |
$130,500 |
$62,969 |
154 |
Hillsboro |
496 |
$121,800 |
$70,509 |
155 |
Brookside Park |
187 |
$97,500 |
$61,838 |
156 |
Lakeshores |
483 |
$115,900 |
$62,390 |
157 |
Chandlers Landing |
272 |
$146,100 |
$74,413 |
158 |
Shorewood |
751 |
$157,700 |
$75,688 |
159 |
Plantation Of Aboite |
98 |
$144,800 |
$75,057 |
160 |
Saratoga Park |
109 |
$144,800 |
$75,057 |
161 |
Westlawn |
856 |
$154,300 |
$52,679 |
162 |
Sheffield Woods |
119 |
$149,500 |
$81,719 |
163 |
Liberty Hills West |
132 |
$144,800 |
$75,057 |
164 |
Forest Park Boulevard |
484 |
$102,400 |
$65,835 |
165 |
Centerhurst |
340 |
$97,500 |
$61,838 |
166 |
Millstone |
408 |
$123,000 |
$62,226 |
167 |
Sunset |
120 |
$120,800 |
$69,688 |
168 |
Woodlands Of Riverside |
326 |
$129,300 |
$45,882 |
169 |
Aspen Village |
205 |
$175,300 |
$92,847 |
170 |
Aboite Lake Estates |
213 |
$137,600 |
$69,531 |
171 |
Liberty Hill |
184 |
$144,800 |
$75,057 |
172 |
Paper Mill Bluffs |
394 |
$129,300 |
$45,882 |
173 |
Aldale Acres |
216 |
$153,200 |
$64,234 |
174 |
Coves At West Lakes |
209 |
$175,300 |
$92,847 |
175 |
Blackhawk Forest |
316 |
$124,900 |
$61,642 |
176 |
Southwood Park |
1,544 |
$102,967 |
$57,366 |
177 |
Blackhawk Farms |
334 |
$124,900 |
$61,642 |
178 |
Valley Park Forest |
338 |
$150,300 |
$65,703 |
179 |
Rolling Hills |
240 |
$149,500 |
$81,719 |
180 |
West Lakes |
314 |
$175,300 |
$92,847 |
181 |
Forest Ridge Estates |
258 |
$149,500 |
$81,719 |
182 |
Georgetown Place |
484 |
$150,300 |
$65,703 |
183 |
Brierwood Hills |
159 |
$145,200 |
$65,469 |
184 |
Glens Of Liberty Mill |
300 |
$149,500 |
$81,719 |
185 |
Lincoln Village |
1,031 |
$138,600 |
$62,073 |
186 |
Kekionga Shores |
313 |
$144,800 |
$75,057 |
187 |
Winterset |
196 |
$118,100 |
$67,794 |
188 |
Burning Tree |
226 |
$183,200 |
$96,250 |
189 |
Whispering Meadows |
733 |
$151,000 |
$86,063 |
190 |
Northwood Park |
160 |
$144,400 |
$66,250 |
191 |
Lake Forest |
560 |
$131,900 |
$67,656 |
192 |
Centaur Acres |
167 |
$181,100 |
$65,694 |
193 |
Inverness Lakes |
355 |
$210,150 |
$65,489 |
194 |
Eagle Lake |
259 |
$212,400 |
$84,688 |
195 |
Inverness Hills |
139 |
$239,200 |
$65,284 |
196 |
Haverhill |
914 |
$137,600 |
$69,531 |
197 |
Windsor Woods |
270 |
$212,400 |
$84,688 |
198 |
Aboite Meadows |
483 |
$161,650 |
$82,344 |
199 |
Blackhawk |
1,076 |
$124,900 |
$61,642 |
200 |
Tamarak |
374 |
$101,900 |
$87,315 |
201 |
North Pointe Woods |
70 |
$171,000 |
$90,417 |
202 |
Still Water Place |
281 |
$164,500 |
$75,786 |
203 |
Candelite Park |
195 |
$167,600 |
$79,063 |
204 |
Woodmont |
479 |
$212,400 |
$84,688 |
205 |
Wheatridge |
249 |
$144,400 |
$66,250 |
206 |
Blum |
422 |
$101,900 |
$87,315 |
207 |
Westchester Ridge |
216 |
$167,600 |
$79,063 |
208 |
Imperial Gardens |
724 |
$120,800 |
$69,688 |
209 |
Timber Lake-Covington Woods |
518 |
$174,350 |
$72,378 |
210 |
Pine Valley |
2,030 |
$170,850 |
$88,238 |
211 |
Wildwood Park |
377 |
$204,800 |
$40,089 |
212 |
Longwood |
265 |
$158,900 |
$81,731 |
213 |
Westchester Lakes |
78 |
$347,500 |
$113,750 |
214 |
Westchester Glens |
80 |
$347,500 |
$113,750 |
215 |
Bittersweet Lakes |
257 |
$237,000 |
$128,032 |
216 |
La Cabreah |
552 |
$212,400 |
$84,688 |
217 |
Deerfield Estates |
351 |
$167,600 |
$79,063 |
218 |
Eagle Creek |
187 |
$237,000 |
$128,032 |
219 |
Arlington Park |
2,590 |
$144,750 |
$77,604 |
220 |
Shores Of Rock Creek |
549 |
$167,600 |
$79,063 |
221 |
Sycamore Hills |
437 |
$347,500 |
$113,750 |
222 |
Cherry Hill |
1,099 |
$164,500 |
$75,786 |
Editor's Note: This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Don't freak out we updated this article for 2022. This is our time ranking the worst neighborhoods to live in Fort Wayne.
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