North Center is Chicago community area 5, a 2.0-square-mile area on the North Side, about 6 miles from the Loop. North Center is a mostly residential area between Lincoln Square and Lake View, including the Roscoe Village blocks. It has a balanced mix of condo units, houses and two-flats, with the Brown Line along its east edge.
Also known as or includes: Roscoe Village, St. Ben’s.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for North Center. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: North Center
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 5 |
| Part of the city | North Side |
| Size | 2.0 square miles |
| Borders | Avondale, Irving Park, Lake View, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Logan Square |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 11,792 |
| Houses and townhouses | 3,688 (31%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 2,473 (21%) |
| Condo units | 4,418 (37%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 2 (Brown) |
| City Council wards | 47th, 32nd Wards |
Homes you will find in North Center
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 11,792 parcels in North Center. 31% are houses or townhouses, 21% are buildings with two to six units, and 37% are condo units. There are also 155 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
No single home type dominates, so buyers can compare a condo, a house or a two-flat in the same area. Each one fits different loans: condos need building approval for some loans, and two- to four-unit buildings you live in can be financed with FHA. See mortgage options for first-time buyers.
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
2 CTA ‘L’ stations are inside North Center’s boundary: Addison (Brown Line, accessible) and Irving Park (Brown Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 6 parks inside North Center: Clark Park, Fellger Park, Filbert Park, Hamlin Park, Revere Park, and Wood Park. There is no Chicago Public Library branch inside North Center; the nearest is in a neighboring area.
City Council wards
North Center is split among 2 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 47th Ward (about 68%), with the rest in the 32nd (32%). 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
North Center borders Avondale, Irving Park, Lake View, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, and Logan Square. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is North Center mostly houses or condos?
A mix: 31% of its parcels are houses or townhouses, 21% are 2–6 unit buildings and 37% are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in North Center?
Yes. North Center has 2 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Brown line.
What ward is North Center in?
It is split among the 47th and 32nd Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in North Center?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in North Center 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, “North Center, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/north-center/.