East Garfield Park is Chicago community area 27, a 1.9-square-mile area on the West Side, about 4 miles from the Loop. East Garfield Park is home to the Garfield Park Conservatory and the large park around it. It has four ‘L’ stations on the Green and Blue lines, and two-to-six-unit buildings are the most common home type.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for East Garfield Park. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: East Garfield Park
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 27 |
| Part of the city | West Side |
| Size | 1.9 square miles |
| Borders | Humboldt Park, Near West Side, North Lawndale, West Garfield Park, West Town |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 7,304 |
| Houses and townhouses | 831 (11%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 1,893 (26%) |
| Condo units | 615 (8%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 4 (Blue and Green) |
| City Council wards | 28th, 27th, 24th Wards |
Homes you will find in East Garfield Park
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 7,304 parcels in East Garfield Park. 11% are houses or townhouses, 26% are buildings with two to six units, and 8% are condo units. There are also 147 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
4 CTA ‘L’ stations are inside East Garfield Park’s boundary: California (Green Line, accessible), Conservatory (Green Line, accessible), Kedzie (Green Line, accessible), and Kedzie-Homan (Blue Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 10 parks inside East Garfield Park: Altgeld Park, Barberry Park, Boler Park, Dogwood Park, Garfield Park, Gladys Park, Horan Park, Nancy Jefferson Park, Magnolia Park, and Saint Louis Park. There is no Chicago Public Library branch inside East Garfield Park; the nearest is in a neighboring area.
City Council wards
East Garfield Park is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 28th Ward (about 57%), with the rest in the 27th (30%) and the 24th (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
East Garfield Park borders Humboldt Park, Near West Side, North Lawndale, West Garfield Park, and West Town. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is East Garfield Park mostly houses or condos?
Mostly two-flats and small apartment buildings: 26% 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 East Garfield Park?
Yes. East Garfield Park has 4 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Blue and Green lines.
What ward is East Garfield Park in?
It is split among the 28th, 27th, and 24th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in East Garfield Park?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in East Garfield 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, “East Garfield Park, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/east-garfield-park/.