Jefferson Park is Chicago community area 11, a 2.3-square-mile area on the Far North Side, about 10 miles from the Loop. Jefferson Park is built around its transit center, where the Blue Line, Metra and many CTA and Pace bus routes meet. Most of its parcels are houses, with two-flats and some condo buildings near the station and along Milwaukee Avenue.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Jefferson Park. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Jefferson Park
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 11 |
| Part of the city | Far North Side |
| Size | 2.3 square miles |
| Borders | Forest Glen, Norwood Park, Portage Park |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 8,878 |
| Houses and townhouses | 5,245 (59%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 1,589 (18%) |
| Condo units | 1,017 (11%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 1 (Blue) |
| City Council wards | 45th, 39th, 41st Wards |
Homes you will find in Jefferson Park
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 8,878 parcels in Jefferson Park. 59% are houses or townhouses, 18% are buildings with two to six units, and 11% are condo units. There are also 50 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 Jefferson Park’s boundary: Jefferson Park (Blue Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 4 parks inside Jefferson Park: Austin Foster Park, Gladstone Park, Jefferson Memorial Park, and Roberts Square. There is no Chicago Public Library branch inside Jefferson Park; the nearest is in a neighboring area.
City Council wards
Jefferson Park is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 45th Ward (about 74%), with the rest in the 39th (21%) and the 41st (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
Jefferson Park borders Forest Glen, Norwood Park, and Portage Park. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Jefferson Park mostly houses or condos?
Mostly houses: 59% 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 Jefferson Park?
Yes. Jefferson Park has 1 CTA ‘L’ station on the Blue line.
What ward is Jefferson Park in?
It is split among the 45th, 39th, and 41st Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Jefferson Park?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Jefferson Park 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, “Jefferson Park, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/jefferson-park/.