Abstract
This paper highlights the decrease in violent crime across the nation. However, causation is still to be determined. It presents research that suggest an increase in concentrated poverty is directly related to violent crime (at least, homicide rates). It presents research involving regression analysis of data available at the community area level which is unique to the city of Chicago. Chicago has experienced an increase in its homicide rate despite the downward national trend. A cross-sectional design is utilized for the 77 community areas of Chicago, Illinois. Results indicate that the homicide rate was impacted by concentrated poverty. It was also impacted by both the number of Blacks and Whites that lived in impoverished communities.