West Ridge is Chicago community area 2, a 3.5-square-mile area on the Far North Side, about 9 miles from the Loop. Devon Avenue’s shops and restaurants run through its middle, and the rest is quiet residential blocks. Buyers find a real mix here: brick bungalows and Georgians, two-flats, and condo units in mid-size buildings.
Also known as or includes: West Rogers Park.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for West Ridge. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: West Ridge
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 2 |
| Part of the city | Far North Side |
| Size | 3.5 square miles |
| Borders | Edgewater, Lincoln Square, North Park, Rogers Park |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 18,075 |
| Houses and townhouses | 5,808 (32%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 2,776 (15%) |
| Condo units | 7,407 (41%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | None |
| City Council wards | 50th, 40th Wards |
Homes you will find in West Ridge
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 18,075 parcels in West Ridge. 32% are houses or townhouses, 15% are buildings with two to six units, and 41% are condo units. There are also 407 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
No single home type dominates, so buyers can compare a condo, a house or a two-flat in the same area. Each one fits different loans: condos need building approval for some loans, and two- to four-unit buildings you live in can be financed with FHA. See mortgage options for first-time buyers.
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 West Ridge’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 11 parks inside West Ridge: Chippewa Park, Emmerson Park, Green Briar Park, Indian Boundary Park, Korczak Park, Legion Park, Lerner Park, Lunt Park, Mather Park, Phillip Rogers Park, and Warren Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Budlong Woods branch and the Northtown branch here.
City Council wards
West Ridge is split among 2 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 50th Ward (about 68%), with the rest in the 40th (30%). 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
West Ridge borders Edgewater, Lincoln Square, North Park, and Rogers Park. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is West Ridge mostly houses or condos?
A mix: 32% of its parcels are houses or townhouses, 15% are 2–6 unit buildings and 41% are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in West Ridge?
No. No CTA ‘L’ station is inside West Ridge’s boundary; residents rely on buses, Metra or stations in nearby areas.
What ward is West Ridge in?
It is split among the 50th and 40th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in West Ridge?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in West Ridge 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, “West Ridge, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/west-ridge/.