The Near West Side is Chicago community area 28, a 5.7-square-mile area on the West Side, about 2 miles from the Loop. The Near West Side includes the West Loop, Greektown, Little Italy, the University of Illinois Chicago campus, the Illinois Medical District and the United Center. Two-thirds of its parcels are condo units, and it has ten ‘L’ stations.
Also known as or includes: West Loop, Greektown, Little Italy, Tri-Taylor, University Village.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Near West Side. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Near West Side
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 28 |
| Part of the city | West Side |
| Size | 5.7 square miles |
| Borders | East Garfield Park, Loop, Lower West Side, Near North Side, Near South Side, North Lawndale, West Town |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 35,503 |
| Houses and townhouses | 1,967 (6%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 1,435 (4%) |
| Condo units | 23,294 (66%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 10 (Blue, Green, and Pink) |
| City Council wards | 28th, 27th, 34th, 25th Wards |
Homes you will find in the Near West Side
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 35,503 parcels in the Near West Side. 6% are houses or townhouses, 4% are buildings with two to six units, and 66% are condo units. There are also 395 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
10 CTA ‘L’ stations are inside the Near West Side’s boundary: Ashland (Green and Pink lines, accessible), Clinton (Blue Line), Clinton (Green and Pink lines, accessible), Damen (Green Line, accessible), Illinois Medical District (Blue Line, accessible), Morgan (Green and Pink lines, accessible), Polk (Pink Line, accessible), Racine (Blue Line), UIC-Halsted (Blue Line, accessible), and Western (Blue Line).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 14 parks inside the Near West Side: Addams Park, Arrigo Park, Bartelme Park, Claremont Park, Fosco Park, Garibaldi Park, Heritage Green Park, Livingston Field, Miller Park, Sheridan Park, Skinner Park, Starr Park, Touhy-Herbert Park, and Union Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Little Italy branch, the Manning branch, and the West Loop branch here.
City Council wards
The Near West Side is split among 4 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 28th Ward (about 39%), with the rest in the 27th (38%), the 34th (18%), and the 25th (3%). 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 West Side borders East Garfield Park, Loop, Lower West Side, Near North Side, Near South Side, North Lawndale, and West Town. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is the Near West Side mostly houses or condos?
Mostly condos: 66% 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 West Side?
Yes. The Near West Side has 10 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Blue, Green, and Pink lines.
What ward is the Near West Side in?
It is split among the 28th, 27th, 34th, and 25th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in the Near West Side?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in the Near West 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 West Side, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/near-west-side/.