Avondale is Chicago community area 21, a 2.0-square-mile area on the North Side, about 6 miles from the Loop. Avondale sits between Logan Square and Irving Park, with the Blue Line’s Belmont station and Milwaukee Avenue running through it. Two-flats and small apartment buildings are the largest home type here.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Avondale. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Avondale
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 21 |
| Part of the city | North Side |
| Size | 2.0 square miles |
| Borders | Hermosa, Irving Park, Logan Square, North Center |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 9,079 |
| Houses and townhouses | 2,237 (25%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 3,536 (39%) |
| Condo units | 1,961 (22%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 1 (Blue) |
| City Council wards | 35th, 31st, 33rd, 30th Wards |
Homes you will find in Avondale
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 9,079 parcels in Avondale. 25% are houses or townhouses, 39% are buildings with two to six units, and 22% are condo units. There are also 169 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
Two-flats and small apartment buildings are the largest home type here. An FHA loan can finance a building with two to four units if you live in one of them, and the rent from the other units can help you qualify. See buying a Chicago two-flat with an FHA loan. Buildings with five or six units need a commercial loan.
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
One CTA ‘L’ station is inside Avondale’s boundary: Belmont (Blue Line).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 8 parks inside Avondale: Algonquin Park, Avondale Park, Brands Park, Elston Park, Grape Park, Nelson Park, Park-View Park, and Sacramento Park. There is no Chicago Public Library branch inside Avondale; the nearest is in a neighboring area.
City Council wards
Avondale is split among 4 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 35th Ward (about 59%), with the rest in the 31st (16%), the 33rd (14%), and the 30th (12%). 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
Avondale borders Hermosa, Irving Park, Logan Square, and North Center. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Avondale mostly houses or condos?
Mostly two-flats and small apartment buildings: 39% of its parcels are buildings with two to six units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Avondale?
Yes. Avondale has 1 CTA ‘L’ station on the Blue line.
What ward is Avondale in?
It is split among the 35th, 31st, 33rd, and 30th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Avondale?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Avondale 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, “Avondale, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/avondale/.