Montclare is Chicago community area 18, a 1.0-square-mile area on the Northwest Side, about 10 miles from the Loop. Montclare is one of the smallest community areas, on the city’s west edge next to Elmwood Park. Its blocks are mostly bungalows and other single-family homes, with some two-flats and condo buildings.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Montclare. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Montclare
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 18 |
| Part of the city | Northwest Side |
| Size | 1.0 square miles |
| Borders | Austin, Belmont Cragin, Dunning |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 3,508 |
| Houses and townhouses | 2,347 (67%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 426 (12%) |
| Condo units | 364 (10%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | None |
| City Council wards | 36th, 29th Wards |
Homes you will find in Montclare
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 3,508 parcels in Montclare. 67% are houses or townhouses, 12% are buildings with two to six units, and 10% are condo units. There are also 40 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 Montclare’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 2 parks inside Montclare: Bell Park and Rutherford Sayre Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Galewood-Mont Clare branch here.
City Council wards
Montclare is split among 2 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 36th Ward (about 61%), with the rest in the 29th (39%). 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
Montclare borders Austin, Belmont Cragin, and Dunning. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Montclare mostly houses or condos?
Mostly houses: 67% 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 Montclare?
No. No CTA ‘L’ station is inside Montclare’s boundary; residents rely on buses, Metra or stations in nearby areas.
What ward is Montclare in?
It is split among the 36th and 29th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Montclare?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Montclare 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, “Montclare, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/montclare/.