The East Side is Chicago community area 52, a 3.0-square-mile area on the Far Southeast Side, about 13 miles from the Loop. East Side sits between the Calumet River and the Indiana state line, with Calumet Park on the lake. About two out of three parcels are houses, along with some two-flats.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for East Side. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: East Side
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 52 |
| Part of the city | Far Southeast Side |
| Size | 3.0 square miles |
| Borders | Hegewisch, South Chicago, South Deering |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 7,206 |
| Houses and townhouses | 4,845 (67%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 929 (13%) |
| Condo units | 0 (0%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | None |
| City Council wards | 10th Ward |
Homes you will find in the East Side
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 7,206 parcels in the East Side. 67% are houses or townhouses, 13% are buildings with two to six units, and 0% are condo units. There are also 20 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
No CTA ‘L’ station sits inside the East Side’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 5 parks inside the East Side: Calumet Park, Krause Park, Pietrowski Park, Rowan Park, and Wolfe Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Vodak-East Side branch here.
City Council wards
All or nearly all of the East Side is in the 10th Ward. 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
The East Side borders Hegewisch, South Chicago, and South Deering. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is the East Side mostly houses or condos?
Mostly houses: 67% 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 the East Side?
No. No CTA ‘L’ station is inside the East Side’s boundary; residents rely on buses, Metra or stations in nearby areas.
What ward is the East Side in?
It is in the 10th Ward. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in the East Side?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in the East Side 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 Side, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/east-side/.