North Lawndale is Chicago community area 29, a 3.2-square-mile area on the West Side, about 5 miles from the Loop. North Lawndale is a West Side area that includes Douglas Park on its east side, with the Pink Line running through it. Two-to-six-unit buildings, including many greystone two-flats, are the largest home type.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for North Lawndale. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: North Lawndale
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 29 |
| Part of the city | West Side |
| Size | 3.2 square miles |
| Borders | Austin, East Garfield Park, Lower West Side, Near West Side, South Lawndale, West Garfield Park |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 10,004 |
| Houses and townhouses | 1,393 (14%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 3,509 (35%) |
| Condo units | 196 (2%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 4 (Pink) |
| City Council wards | 24th, 28th, 22nd Wards |
Homes you will find in North Lawndale
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 10,004 parcels in North Lawndale. 14% are houses or townhouses, 35% are buildings with two to six units, and 2% are condo units. There are also 207 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 North Lawndale’s boundary: Central Park (Pink Line, accessible), Kedzie (Pink Line, accessible), Kostner (Pink Line, accessible), and Pulaski (Pink Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 12 parks inside North Lawndale: Christiana Park, Crawford Park, Douglas Park, Anna and Frederick Douglass Park, Franklin Park, Ginkgo Park, Homan Square Community Center, Hornbeam Park, Keeler Park, London Park, Millard Park, and Ninebark Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Douglass branch here.
City Council wards
North Lawndale is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 24th Ward (about 81%), with the rest in the 28th (10%) and the 22nd (8%). 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 Lawndale borders Austin, East Garfield Park, Lower West Side, Near West Side, South Lawndale, and West Garfield Park. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is North Lawndale mostly houses or condos?
Mostly two-flats and small apartment buildings: 35% 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 North Lawndale?
Yes. North Lawndale has 4 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Pink line.
What ward is North Lawndale in?
It is split among the 24th, 28th, and 22nd Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in North Lawndale?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in North Lawndale 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 Lawndale, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/north-lawndale/.