Chatham is Chicago community area 44, a 3.0-square-mile area on the Far Southeast Side, about 10 miles from the Loop. Chatham is a largely residential area on the South Side known for its brick bungalows. More than half its parcels are houses, and the Red Line stops at 79th and 87th along the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Chatham. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Chatham
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 44 |
| Part of the city | Far Southeast Side |
| Size | 3.0 square miles |
| Borders | Auburn Gresham, Avalon Park, Burnside, Greater Grand Crossing, Roseland |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 9,154 |
| Houses and townhouses | 5,388 (59%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 1,571 (17%) |
| Condo units | 344 (4%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 2 (Red) |
| City Council wards | 6th, 8th, 21st Wards |
Homes you will find in Chatham
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 9,154 parcels in Chatham. 59% are houses or townhouses, 17% are buildings with two to six units, and 4% are condo units. There are also 376 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
This is mostly a single-family market. Houses here can be bought with any of the common first-time buyer loans, and there is no condo association approval to clear. Budget for upkeep that a condo owner shares with neighbors, such as the roof, furnace and sewer line, and get a full inspection during the inspection period.
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 Chatham’s boundary: 79th (Red Line, accessible) and 87th (Red Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 4 parks inside Chatham: Sidney Brown Memorial Park, Nat King Cole Park, Tuley Park, and West Chatham Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Whitney M. Young, Jr. branch here.
City Council wards
Chatham is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 6th Ward (about 55%), with the rest in the 8th (30%) and the 21st (12%). 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
Chatham borders Auburn Gresham, Avalon Park, Burnside, Greater Grand Crossing, and Roseland. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Chatham mostly houses or condos?
Mostly houses: 59% of its parcels are houses or townhouses. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Chatham?
Yes. Chatham has 2 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Red line.
What ward is Chatham in?
It is split among the 6th, 8th, and 21st Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Chatham?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Chatham 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, “Chatham, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/chatham/.