Uptown is Chicago community area 3, a 2.3-square-mile area on the Far North Side, about 6 miles from the Loop. Uptown sits between Lake View and Edgewater, with the lakefront parkland of Lincoln Park on its east side and the Argyle Street and Lawrence Avenue business strips inside it. Its housing is mostly condo units, from vintage courtyard buildings to high-rises near the lake.
Also known as or includes: Buena Park, Sheridan Park, Argyle.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Uptown. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Uptown
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 3 |
| Part of the city | Far North Side |
| Size | 2.3 square miles |
| Borders | Edgewater, Lake View, Lincoln Square |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 16,276 |
| Houses and townhouses | 866 (5%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 792 (5%) |
| Condo units | 13,090 (80%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 3 (Red and Purple) |
| City Council wards | 46th, 47th, 48th Wards |
Homes you will find in Uptown
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 16,276 parcels in Uptown. 5% are houses or townhouses, 5% are buildings with two to six units, and 80% are condo units. There are also 468 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
3 CTA ‘L’ stations are inside Uptown’s boundary: Argyle (Red Line, accessible), Lawrence (Red Line, accessible), and Wilson (Red and Purple lines, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 11 parks inside Uptown: Aster Park, Broncho Billy Park, Buena Circle Park, Buttercup Park, Carmen Park, Challenger Park, Chase Park, Clarendon Community Center, Gooseberry Park, Hickory Park, and the lakefront Lincoln Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Bezazian branch and the Uptown branch here.
City Council wards
Uptown is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 46th Ward (about 64%), with the rest in the 47th (21%) and the 48th (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
Uptown borders Edgewater, Lake View, and Lincoln Square. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Uptown mostly houses or condos?
Mostly condos: 80% of its parcels are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Uptown?
Yes. Uptown has 3 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Red and Purple lines.
What ward is Uptown in?
It is split among the 46th, 47th, and 48th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Uptown?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Uptown 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, “Uptown, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/uptown/.