Garfield Ridge is Chicago community area 56, a 4.2-square-mile area on the Southwest Side, about 9 miles from the Loop. Garfield Ridge sits along the north and west sides of Midway Airport, with the Orange Line’s Midway terminal at its edge. More than four out of five parcels are single-family homes, many of them brick bungalows and raised ranches.
Also known as or includes: Sleepy Hollow, LeClaire Courts.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Garfield Ridge. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Garfield Ridge
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 56 |
| Part of the city | Southwest Side |
| Size | 4.2 square miles |
| Borders | Archer Heights, Clearing, South Lawndale, West Elsdon |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 12,894 |
| Houses and townhouses | 10,448 (81%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 554 (4%) |
| Condo units | 291 (2%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 1 (Orange) |
| City Council wards | 23rd, 13th, 22nd Wards |
Homes you will find in Garfield Ridge
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 12,894 parcels in Garfield Ridge. 81% are houses or townhouses, 4% are buildings with two to six units, and 2% are condo units. There are also 55 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
One CTA ‘L’ station is inside Garfield Ridge’s boundary: Midway (Orange Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 6 parks inside Garfield Ridge: LeClaire Courts-Hearst Community Center, Minuteman Park, Normandy Park, Stars & Stripes Park, Vittum Park, and Wentworth Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Garfield Ridge branch here.
City Council wards
Garfield Ridge is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 23rd Ward (about 41%), with the rest in the 13th (40%) and the 22nd (18%). 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
Garfield Ridge borders Archer Heights, Clearing, South Lawndale, and West Elsdon. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Garfield Ridge mostly houses or condos?
Mostly houses: 81% 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 Garfield Ridge?
Yes. Garfield Ridge has 1 CTA ‘L’ station on the Orange line.
What ward is Garfield Ridge in?
It is split among the 23rd, 13th, and 22nd Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Garfield Ridge?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Garfield Ridge 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, “Garfield Ridge, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/garfield-ridge/.