The Near North Side is Chicago community area 8, a 2.8-square-mile area next to the Loop, in the city’s central area. The Near North Side covers Streeterville, River North, the Gold Coast, Old Town’s south end and the Magnificent Mile. Almost every parcel here is a condo unit, most of them in high-rise buildings.
Also known as or includes: Streeterville, River North, Gold Coast, Old Town.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Near North Side. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Near North Side
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 8 |
| Part of the city | Central area |
| Size | 2.8 square miles |
| Borders | Lincoln Park, Loop, Near West Side, West Town |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 62,839 |
| Houses and townhouses | 1,123 (2%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 336 (1%) |
| Condo units | 56,385 (90%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 7 (Red, Brown, and Purple) |
| City Council wards | 42nd, 27th, 2nd, 43rd Wards |
Homes you will find in the Near North Side
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 62,839 parcels in the Near North Side. 2% are houses or townhouses, 1% are buildings with two to six units, and 90% are condo units. There are also 392 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 the Near North Side’s boundary: Chicago (Brown and Purple lines, accessible), Chicago (Red Line, accessible), Clark/Division (Red Line, accessible), Grand (Red Line, accessible), Merchandise Mart (Brown and Purple lines, accessible), North/Clybourn (Red Line), and Sedgwick (Brown and Purple lines, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 10 parks inside the Near North Side: Jane Addams Memorial Park, Durso Park, Goudy Square, Lake Shore Park, the lakefront Lincoln Park, Seneca Park, Seward Park, Stanton Park, Ward Park, and White Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Near North branch and the Water Works branch here.
City Council wards
The Near North Side is split among 4 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 42nd Ward (about 34%), with the rest in the 27th (32%), the 2nd (30%), and the 43rd (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 Near North Side borders Lincoln Park, Loop, Near West Side, and West Town. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is the Near North Side mostly houses or condos?
Mostly condos: 90% of its parcels are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in the Near North Side?
Yes. The Near North Side has 7 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Red, Brown, and Purple lines.
What ward is the Near North Side in?
It is split among the 42nd, 27th, 2nd, and 43rd Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in the Near North Side?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in the Near North 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, “Near North Side, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/near-north-side/.