Brighton Park is Chicago community area 58, a 2.7-square-mile area on the Southwest Side, about 6 miles from the Loop. Brighton Park sits along Archer Avenue and the Orange Line’s Kedzie station. Two-flats and small apartment buildings are the largest home type, ahead of houses.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Brighton Park. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Brighton Park
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 58 |
| Part of the city | Southwest Side |
| Size | 2.7 square miles |
| Borders | Archer Heights, Gage Park, McKinley Park, New City, South Lawndale, West Elsdon |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 8,881 |
| Houses and townhouses | 3,172 (36%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 3,928 (44%) |
| Condo units | 36 (0%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 1 (Orange) |
| City Council wards | 12th, 14th, 15th Wards |
Homes you will find in Brighton Park
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 8,881 parcels in Brighton Park. 36% are houses or townhouses, 44% are buildings with two to six units, and 0% are condo units. There are also 30 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
One CTA ‘L’ station is inside Brighton Park’s boundary: Kedzie (Orange Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 2 parks inside Brighton Park: Brighton Park and Kelly Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Brighton Park branch here.
City Council wards
Brighton Park is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 12th Ward (about 81%), with the rest in the 14th (10%) and the 15th (8%). 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
Brighton Park borders Archer Heights, Gage Park, McKinley Park, New City, South Lawndale, and West Elsdon. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Brighton Park mostly houses or condos?
Mostly two-flats and small apartment buildings: 44% 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 Brighton Park?
Yes. Brighton Park has 1 CTA ‘L’ station on the Orange line.
What ward is Brighton Park in?
It is split among the 12th, 14th, and 15th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Brighton Park?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Brighton Park 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, “Brighton Park, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/brighton-park/.