The Lower West Side is Chicago community area 31, a 2.9-square-mile area on the West Side, about 3 miles from the Loop. The Lower West Side is better known as Pilsen, with its business district on 18th Street and the National Museum of Mexican Art inside Harrison Park. Two-flats and small apartment buildings are the largest home type, and the Pink Line has three stations here, plus the Orange Line at Ashland.
Also known as or includes: Pilsen.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Lower West Side. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Lower West Side
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 31 |
| Part of the city | West Side |
| Size | 2.9 square miles |
| Borders | Armour Square, Bridgeport, McKinley Park, Near West Side, North Lawndale, South Lawndale |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 7,716 |
| Houses and townhouses | 956 (12%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 3,522 (46%) |
| Condo units | 711 (9%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 4 (Orange and Pink) |
| City Council wards | 25th, 12th, 28th Wards |
Homes you will find in the Lower West Side
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 7,716 parcels in the Lower West Side. 12% are houses or townhouses, 46% are buildings with two to six units, and 9% are condo units. There are also 168 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 the Lower West Side’s boundary: 18th (Pink Line, accessible), Ashland (Orange Line, accessible), Damen (Pink Line, accessible), and Western (Pink Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 9 parks inside the Lower West Side: Baraga Park, Barrett Park, Canal Origins Park, Daley Park, Dvorak Park, Harrison Park, Thomas Jefferson Park, Reyes Park, and Throop Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Lozano branch here.
City Council wards
The Lower West Side is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 25th Ward (about 73%), with the rest in the 12th (22%) and the 28th (4%). 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 Lower West Side borders Armour Square, Bridgeport, McKinley Park, Near West Side, North Lawndale, and South Lawndale. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is the Lower West Side mostly houses or condos?
Mostly two-flats and small apartment buildings: 46% 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 the Lower West Side?
Yes. The Lower West Side has 4 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Orange and Pink lines.
What ward is the Lower West Side in?
It is split among the 25th, 12th, and 28th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in the Lower West Side?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in the Lower West 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, “Lower West Side, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/lower-west-side/.