New City is Chicago community area 61, a 4.8-square-mile area on the Southwest Side, about 5 miles from the Loop. New City includes Back of the Yards and Canaryville, around the site of the former Union Stock Yards. Two-to-six-unit buildings are the largest home type.
Also known as or includes: Back of the Yards, Canaryville.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for New City. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: New City
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 61 |
| Part of the city | Southwest Side |
| Size | 4.8 square miles |
| Borders | Bridgeport, Brighton Park, Englewood, Fuller Park, Gage Park, McKinley Park, West Englewood |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 13,216 |
| Houses and townhouses | 3,076 (23%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 4,160 (31%) |
| Condo units | 364 (3%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | None |
| City Council wards | 20th, 11th, 15th, 12th, 16th Wards |
Homes you will find in New City
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 13,216 parcels in New City. 23% are houses or townhouses, 31% are buildings with two to six units, and 3% are condo units. There are also 42 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
Two-flats and small apartment buildings are the largest home type here. An FHA loan can finance a building with two to four units if you live in one of them, and the rent from the other units can help you qualify. See buying a Chicago two-flat with an FHA loan. Buildings with five or six units need a commercial loan.
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 New City’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 10 parks inside New City: Back of the Yards Park, Cornell Square, Davis Square, Lowe Park, McInerney Park, Micek Park, Packingtown Park, Sherman Park, Taylor-Lauridsen Park, and Wagner Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Back of the Yards branch, the Canaryville branch, and the Sherman Park branch here.
City Council wards
New City is split among 5 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 20th Ward (about 26%), with the rest in the 11th (22%), the 15th (21%), the 12th (17%), and the 16th (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
New City borders Bridgeport, Brighton Park, Englewood, Fuller Park, Gage Park, McKinley Park, and West Englewood. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is New City mostly houses or condos?
Mostly two-flats and small apartment buildings: 31% of its parcels are buildings with two to six units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in New City?
No. No CTA ‘L’ station is inside New City’s boundary; residents rely on buses, Metra or stations in nearby areas.
What ward is New City in?
It is split among the 20th, 11th, 15th, 12th, and 16th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in New City?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in New City 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, “New City, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/new-city/.