Calumet Heights is Chicago community area 48, a 1.8-square-mile area on the Far Southeast Side, about 11 miles from the Loop. Calumet Heights is a residential area along Stony Island Avenue that includes the Stony Island Park blocks. About three out of four parcels are single-family houses, including many brick ranches and split-levels.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Calumet Heights. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Calumet Heights
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 48 |
| Part of the city | Far Southeast Side |
| Size | 1.8 square miles |
| Borders | Avalon Park, Burnside, South Chicago, South Deering |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 6,033 |
| Houses and townhouses | 4,527 (75%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 475 (8%) |
| Condo units | 13 (0%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | None |
| City Council wards | 8th, 7th, 10th Wards |
Homes you will find in Calumet Heights
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 6,033 parcels in Calumet Heights. 75% are houses or townhouses, 8% are buildings with two to six units, and 0% are condo units. There are also 24 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
This is mostly a single-family market. Houses here can be bought with any of the common first-time buyer loans, and there is no condo association approval to clear. Budget for upkeep that a condo owner shares with neighbors, such as the roof, furnace and sewer line, and get a full inspection during the inspection period.
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
No CTA ‘L’ station sits inside Calumet Heights’s boundary. Most trips start on a CTA bus or by car, and the nearest ‘L’ or Metra station is in a neighboring area. If you will commute downtown, time the trip from the homes you are considering before you make an offer.
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 2 parks inside Calumet Heights: Dougherty Park and Jesse Owens Park. There is no Chicago Public Library branch inside Calumet Heights; the nearest is in a neighboring area.
City Council wards
Calumet Heights is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 8th Ward (about 52%), with the rest in the 7th (43%) and the 10th (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
Calumet Heights borders Avalon Park, Burnside, South Chicago, and South Deering. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Calumet Heights mostly houses or condos?
Mostly houses: 75% of its parcels are houses or townhouses. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Calumet Heights?
No. No CTA ‘L’ station is inside Calumet Heights’s boundary; residents rely on buses, Metra or stations in nearby areas.
What ward is Calumet Heights in?
It is split among the 8th, 7th, and 10th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Calumet Heights?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Calumet Heights 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, “Calumet Heights, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/calumet-heights/.