Albany Park is Chicago community area 14, a 1.9-square-mile area on the Far North Side, about 8 miles from the Loop. Albany Park sits at the end of the Brown Line, with Lawrence Avenue’s business strip running through it and the North Branch of the Chicago River along its east side. Its parcels split fairly evenly between houses, two-flats and condo units.
Also known as or includes: Ravenswood Manor (part).
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Albany Park. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Albany Park
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 14 |
| Part of the city | Far North Side |
| Size | 1.9 square miles |
| Borders | Forest Glen, Irving Park, Lincoln Square, North Park |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 9,462 |
| Houses and townhouses | 3,283 (35%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 2,459 (26%) |
| Condo units | 2,505 (26%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 3 (Brown) |
| City Council wards | 33rd, 39th, 40th Wards |
Homes you will find in Albany Park
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 9,462 parcels in Albany Park. 35% are houses or townhouses, 26% are buildings with two to six units, and 26% are condo units. There are also 300 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
No single home type dominates, so buyers can compare a condo, a house or a two-flat in the same area. Each one fits different loans: condos need building approval for some loans, and two- to four-unit buildings you live in can be financed with FHA. See mortgage options for first-time buyers.
HomeGrown grants can be used for one- and two-unit homes, condos and townhomes, and the grant amount depends on income and on where in the city the home is. IHDAccess Home is available statewide. Compare the two on our side-by-side page.
Getting around
3 CTA ‘L’ stations are inside Albany Park’s boundary: Francisco (Brown Line, accessible), Kedzie (Brown Line, accessible), and Kimball (Brown Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 7 parks inside Albany Park: Field Park, Jensen Park, North Mayfair Park, Ravenswood Manor Park, River Park, Ronan Park, and Spikings Farm. The Chicago Public Library has the Mayfair branch here.
City Council wards
Albany Park is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 33rd Ward (about 52%), with the rest in the 39th (43%) and the 40th (5%). Ward lines do not follow community area lines, so check an exact address with the City’s ward lookup before you contact an alderperson’s office about zoning, permits or city services.
Neighboring community areas
Albany Park borders Forest Glen, Irving Park, Lincoln Square, and North Park. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Albany Park mostly houses or condos?
A mix: 35% of its parcels are houses or townhouses, 26% are 2–6 unit buildings and 26% are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Albany Park?
Yes. Albany Park has 3 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Brown line.
What ward is Albany Park in?
It is split among the 33rd, 39th, and 40th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Albany Park?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Albany Park can qualify if the buyer and the property meet its rules. The grant amount depends on household income and the home’s location. See our HomeGrown guide for the current rules.
Sources
- City of Chicago Data Portal, Boundaries – Community Areas
- Cook County Assessor, Parcel Universe (tax year 2026)
- City of Chicago Data Portal, CTA ‘L’ stops
- City of Chicago Data Portal, Chicago Park District park facilities
- City of Chicago Data Portal, Chicago Public Library locations
- City of Chicago Data Portal, Ward boundaries (2023–)
Boundaries, size and neighbors are measured from the City’s official community area boundary. ‘L’ stations, parks and libraries are placed inside the boundary by their coordinates; ward shares are approximate shares of land area. Parcel counts are from the Assessor’s tax year 2026 file, counted October 4, 2026. Houses include townhouses; condo units are counted one parcel per unit.
Cite this page: Chicago First Time Home Buyer, “Albany Park, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/albany-park/.