The Near South Side is Chicago community area 33, a 1.8-square-mile area next to the Loop, in the city’s central area. The Near South Side covers the South Loop south of Roosevelt Road, Prairie Avenue, the Museum Campus and McCormick Place. Almost all of its parcels are condo units, in high-rises, lofts and townhouse developments.
Also known as or includes: South Loop, Prairie District, Dearborn Park.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Near South Side. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Near South Side
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 33 |
| Part of the city | Central area |
| Size | 1.8 square miles |
| Borders | Armour Square, Douglas, Loop, Near West Side |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 22,376 |
| Houses and townhouses | 1,185 (5%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 22 (0%) |
| Condo units | 19,747 (88%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 2 (Red, Green, and Orange) |
| City Council wards | 3rd, 4th Wards |
Homes you will find in the Near South Side
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 22,376 parcels in the Near South Side. 5% are houses or townhouses, 0% are buildings with two to six units, and 88% are condo units. There are also 70 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
2 CTA ‘L’ stations are inside the Near South Side’s boundary: Cermak-McCormick Place (Green Line, accessible) and Roosevelt (Red, Green, and Orange lines, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 10 parks inside the Near South Side: Anderson Park, Burnham Park, Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, Coliseum Park, Cotton Tail Park, Jones Park, Lin Park, Northerly Island, Ping Tom Memorial Park, and Webster Park. There is no Chicago Public Library branch inside the Near South Side; the nearest is in a neighboring area.
City Council wards
The Near South Side is split among 2 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 3rd Ward (about 48%), with the rest in the 4th (48%). 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
The Near South Side borders Armour Square, Douglas, Loop, and Near West Side. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is the Near South Side mostly houses or condos?
Mostly condos: 88% of its parcels are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in the Near South Side?
Yes. The Near South Side has 2 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Red, Green, and Orange lines.
What ward is the Near South Side in?
It is split among the 3rd and 4th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in the Near South Side?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in the Near South Side 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, “Near South Side, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/near-south-side/.