Lake View is Chicago community area 6, a 3.1-square-mile area on the North Side, about 5 miles from the Loop. Lake View stretches from the lakefront to Ravenswood Avenue and takes in Wrigleyville, Boystown/Northalsted and the blocks around Southport Avenue. Three-quarters of its parcels are condo units, and seven ‘L’ stations sit inside its boundary.
Also known as or includes: Wrigleyville, Northalsted, West Lakeview, Southport Corridor.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Lake View. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Lake View
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 6 |
| Part of the city | North Side |
| Size | 3.1 square miles |
| Borders | Lincoln Park, North Center, Uptown |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 35,894 |
| Houses and townhouses | 3,235 (9%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 3,234 (9%) |
| Condo units | 26,819 (75%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 7 (Red, Brown, and Purple) |
| City Council wards | 44th, 47th, 32nd, 46th Wards |
Homes you will find in Lake View
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 35,894 parcels in Lake View. 9% are houses or townhouses, 9% are buildings with two to six units, and 75% are condo units. There are also 775 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
This is a condo market. Most first-time buyers here will be buying a unit, so the building matters as much as the unit: the lender will review the association’s budget, reserves and owner-occupancy, and some loans need the building to be approved. Read our post on Fannie Mae’s new condo rules before you make an offer, and ask for the association’s budget and recent minutes during attorney review.
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
7 CTA ‘L’ stations are inside Lake View’s boundary: Addison (Red Line, accessible), Belmont (Red, Brown, and Purple lines, accessible), Diversey (Brown and Purple lines, accessible), Paulina (Brown Line, accessible), Sheridan (Red Line), Southport (Brown Line, accessible), and Wellington (Brown and Purple lines, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 18 parks inside Lake View: Donahue Park, Evergreen Park, Gill Park, Juniper Park, John Kelly Park, Kenmore Park, Klein Park, the lakefront Lincoln Park, Martin Park, Merryman Park, Sheil Park, South Lakeview Park, Wang Park, Warner Garden, Weisman Park, Wendt Park, Wieboldt Park, and Zatterberg Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Lincoln Belmont branch and the Merlo branch here.
City Council wards
Lake View is split among 4 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 44th Ward (about 52%), with the rest in the 47th (17%), the 32nd (16%), and the 46th (15%). 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
Lake View borders Lincoln Park, North Center, and Uptown. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Lake View mostly houses or condos?
Mostly condos: 75% of its parcels are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Lake View?
Yes. Lake View has 7 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Red, Brown, and Purple lines.
What ward is Lake View in?
It is split among the 44th, 47th, 32nd, and 46th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Lake View?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Lake View 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, “Lake View, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/lake-view/.