Kenwood is Chicago community area 39, a 1.0-square-mile area on the South Side, about 5 miles from the Loop. Kenwood sits between Bronzeville and Hyde Park, near the lake, and is known for its large historic houses on wide lots. Most parcels are condo units, but it also has single-family homes and townhouses.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Kenwood. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Kenwood
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 39 |
| Part of the city | South Side |
| Size | 1.0 square miles |
| Borders | Grand Boulevard, Hyde Park, Oakland |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 4,693 |
| Houses and townhouses | 1,162 (25%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 134 (3%) |
| Condo units | 2,628 (56%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | None |
| City Council wards | 4th, 5th Wards |
Homes you will find in Kenwood
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 4,693 parcels in Kenwood. 25% are houses or townhouses, 3% are buildings with two to six units, and 56% are condo units. There are also 106 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
No CTA ‘L’ station sits inside Kenwood’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 6 parks inside Kenwood: Gwendolyn Brooks Park, Burnham Park, Harsh Park, Ma Houston Park, Kennicott Park, and Kenwood Community Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Blackstone branch here.
City Council wards
Kenwood is split among 2 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 4th Ward (about 84%), with the rest in the 5th (14%). 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
Kenwood borders Grand Boulevard, Hyde Park, and Oakland. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Kenwood mostly houses or condos?
Mostly condos: 56% of its parcels are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Kenwood?
No. No CTA ‘L’ station is inside Kenwood’s boundary; residents rely on buses, Metra or stations in nearby areas.
What ward is Kenwood in?
It is split among the 4th and 5th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Kenwood?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Kenwood 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, “Kenwood, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/kenwood/.