Edgewater is Chicago community area 77, a 1.7-square-mile area on the Far North Side, about 8 miles from the Loop. Edgewater runs along the lake north of Uptown and includes Andersonville’s Clark Street business district. Most of its parcels are condo units in courtyard and high-rise buildings, with four Red Line stations inside the area.
Also known as or includes: Andersonville.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Edgewater. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Edgewater
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 77 |
| Part of the city | Far North Side |
| Size | 1.7 square miles |
| Borders | Lincoln Square, Rogers Park, Uptown, West Ridge |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 17,217 |
| Houses and townhouses | 1,701 (10%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 1,680 (10%) |
| Condo units | 12,429 (72%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 4 (Red) |
| City Council wards | 48th, 40th Wards |
Homes you will find in Edgewater
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 17,217 parcels in Edgewater. 10% are houses or townhouses, 10% are buildings with two to six units, and 72% are condo units. There are also 415 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
This is a condo market. Most first-time buyers here will be buying a unit, so the building matters as much as the unit: the lender will review the association’s budget, reserves and owner-occupancy, and some loans need the building to be approved. Read our post on Fannie Mae’s new condo rules before you make an offer, and ask for the association’s budget and recent minutes during attorney review.
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
4 CTA ‘L’ stations are inside Edgewater’s boundary: Berwyn (Red Line, accessible), Bryn Mawr (Red Line, accessible), Granville (Red Line, accessible), and Thorndale (Red Line).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 11 parks inside Edgewater: Andersonville Park, Berger Park, Broadway Armory Park, Bromann Park, Cedar Park, Cochran Park, D’Elia Park, Lane Beach, the lakefront Lincoln Park, Mellin Park, and Senn Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Edgewater branch here.
City Council wards
Edgewater is split among 2 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 48th Ward (about 76%), with the rest in the 40th (24%). 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
Edgewater borders Lincoln Square, Rogers Park, Uptown, and West Ridge. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Edgewater mostly houses or condos?
Mostly condos: 72% of its parcels are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Edgewater?
Yes. Edgewater has 4 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Red line.
What ward is Edgewater in?
It is split among the 48th and 40th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Edgewater?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Edgewater 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, “Edgewater, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/edgewater/.