O’Hare is Chicago community area 76, a 13.3-square-mile area on the Far North Side, about 15 miles from the Loop. O’Hare is the city’s largest community area by land, mostly taken up by the airport. Its homes are on a few blocks east of the airfield, where condo units are the main home type, and the Blue Line ends at the airport terminals.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for O’Hare. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: O’Hare
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 76 |
| Part of the city | Far North Side |
| Size | 13.3 square miles |
| Borders | Dunning, Norwood Park |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 4,374 |
| Houses and townhouses | 716 (16%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 415 (9%) |
| Condo units | 2,786 (64%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 2 (Blue) |
| City Council wards | 41st, 38th Wards |
Homes you will find in O’Hare
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 4,374 parcels in O’Hare. 16% are houses or townhouses, 9% are buildings with two to six units, and 64% are condo units. There are also 35 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 O’Hare’s boundary: Cumberland (Blue Line, accessible) and O’Hare (Blue Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 1 park inside O’Hare: Grandparents’ Park. There is no Chicago Public Library branch inside O’Hare; the nearest is in a neighboring area.
City Council wards
O’Hare is split among 2 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 41st Ward (about 87%), with the rest in the 38th (13%). 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
O’Hare borders Dunning and Norwood Park. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is O’Hare mostly houses or condos?
Mostly condos: 64% of its parcels are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in O’Hare?
Yes. O’Hare has 2 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Blue line.
What ward is O’Hare in?
It is split among the 41st and 38th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in O’Hare?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in O’Hare 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, “O’Hare, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/ohare/.