Douglas is Chicago community area 35, a 1.7-square-mile area on the South Side, about 3 miles from the Loop. Douglas is part of historic Bronzeville and includes the Illinois Institute of Technology campus and the Lake Meadows and Prairie Shores developments. About half its parcels are condo units.
Also known as or includes: Bronzeville (part).
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Douglas. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Douglas
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 35 |
| Part of the city | South Side |
| Size | 1.7 square miles |
| Borders | Armour Square, Grand Boulevard, Near South Side, Oakland |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 5,043 |
| Houses and townhouses | 775 (15%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 269 (5%) |
| Condo units | 2,440 (48%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 1 (Green) |
| City Council wards | 4th, 3rd Wards |
Homes you will find in Douglas
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 5,043 parcels in Douglas. 15% are houses or townhouses, 5% are buildings with two to six units, and 48% are condo units. There are also 82 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
One CTA ‘L’ station is inside Douglas’s boundary: 35th-Bronzeville-IIT (Green Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 6 parks inside Douglas: Anderson Park, Burnham Park, Dunbar Park, Ellis Park, Lake Meadows Park, and Williams Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Chicago Bee branch and the King branch here.
City Council wards
Douglas is split among 2 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 4th Ward (about 57%), with the rest in the 3rd (43%). 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
Douglas borders Armour Square, Grand Boulevard, Near South Side, and Oakland. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Douglas mostly houses or condos?
A mix: 15% of its parcels are houses or townhouses, 5% are 2–6 unit buildings and 48% are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Douglas?
Yes. Douglas has 1 CTA ‘L’ station on the Green line.
What ward is Douglas in?
It is split among the 4th and 3rd Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Douglas?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Douglas 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, “Douglas, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/douglas/.