Lincoln Square is Chicago community area 4, a 2.6-square-mile area on the Far North Side, about 7 miles from the Loop. The Brown Line runs through the middle of Lincoln Square, and its business district along Lincoln and Western avenues is the center of the area. Homes range from condos and two-flats to brick houses, including the Ravenswood Manor streets along the river.
Also known as or includes: Ravenswood, Ravenswood Manor, Bowmanville.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Lincoln Square. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Lincoln Square
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 4 |
| Part of the city | Far North Side |
| Size | 2.6 square miles |
| Borders | Albany Park, Edgewater, North Center, North Park, Uptown, West Ridge |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 11,735 |
| Houses and townhouses | 2,561 (22%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 2,209 (19%) |
| Condo units | 5,246 (45%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 4 (Brown) |
| City Council wards | 40th, 47th, 39th Wards |
Homes you will find in Lincoln Square
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 11,735 parcels in Lincoln Square. 22% are houses or townhouses, 19% are buildings with two to six units, and 45% are condo units. There are also 435 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
No single home type dominates, so buyers can compare a condo, a house or a two-flat in the same area. Each one fits different loans: condos need building approval for some loans, and two- to four-unit buildings you live in can be financed with FHA. See mortgage options for first-time buyers.
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 Lincoln Square’s boundary: Damen (Brown Line, accessible), Montrose (Brown Line, accessible), Rockwell (Brown Line, accessible), and Western (Brown Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 8 parks inside Lincoln Square: Gross Park, Jacob Park, Legion Park, River Park, Vogle Park, Welles Park, West Ridge Nature Park, and Winnemac Park. The Chicago Public Library has Sulzer Regional Library here.
City Council wards
Lincoln Square is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 40th Ward (about 67%), with the rest in the 47th (26%) and the 39th (7%). 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
Lincoln Square borders Albany Park, Edgewater, North Center, North Park, Uptown, and West Ridge. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Lincoln Square mostly houses or condos?
A mix: 22% of its parcels are houses or townhouses, 19% are 2–6 unit buildings and 45% are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Lincoln Square?
Yes. Lincoln Square has 4 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Brown line.
What ward is Lincoln Square in?
It is split among the 40th, 47th, and 39th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Lincoln Square?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Lincoln Square 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, “Lincoln Square, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/lincoln-square/.