Forest Glen is Chicago community area 12, a 3.2-square-mile area on the Far North Side, about 10 miles from the Loop. Forest Glen takes in the Edgebrook, Sauganash and Wildwood blocks and borders the Cook County forest preserves along the North Branch of the Chicago River. It is almost entirely single-family homes on larger lots.
Also known as or includes: Edgebrook, Sauganash, Wildwood.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Forest Glen. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Forest Glen
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 12 |
| Part of the city | Far North Side |
| Size | 3.2 square miles |
| Borders | Albany Park, Jefferson Park, North Park, Norwood Park, Portage Park |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 7,681 |
| Houses and townhouses | 6,383 (83%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 279 (4%) |
| Condo units | 206 (3%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | None |
| City Council wards | 39th, 45th Wards |
Homes you will find in Forest Glen
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 7,681 parcels in Forest Glen. 83% are houses or townhouses, 4% are buildings with two to six units, and 3% are condo units. There are also 13 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 Forest Glen’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 8 parks inside Forest Glen: Ashmore Park, DeJulio Park, Edgebrook Park, Forest Glen Park, Jeffrey Green Park, Quinn Park, Sauganash Park, and Wildwood Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Edgebrook branch here.
City Council wards
Forest Glen is split among 2 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 39th Ward (about 62%), with the rest in the 45th (38%). 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
Forest Glen borders Albany Park, Jefferson Park, North Park, Norwood Park, and Portage Park. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Forest Glen mostly houses or condos?
Mostly houses: 83% 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 Forest Glen?
No. No CTA ‘L’ station is inside Forest Glen’s boundary; residents rely on buses, Metra or stations in nearby areas.
What ward is Forest Glen in?
It is split among the 39th and 45th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Forest Glen?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Forest Glen 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, “Forest Glen, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/forest-glen/.