Riverdale is Chicago community area 54, a 3.5-square-mile area on the Far Southeast Side, about 15 miles from the Loop. Riverdale is at the city’s far south edge along the Little Calumet River and includes the Altgeld Gardens housing development. It has the fewest parcels of any community area.
Also known as or includes: Altgeld Gardens.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Riverdale. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Riverdale
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 54 |
| Part of the city | Far Southeast Side |
| Size | 3.5 square miles |
| Borders | Hegewisch, Pullman, South Deering, West Pullman |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 1,181 |
| Houses and townhouses | 464 (39%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 17 (1%) |
| Condo units | 0 (0%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | None |
| City Council wards | 9th, 10th Wards |
Homes you will find in Riverdale
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 1,181 parcels in Riverdale. 39% are houses or townhouses, 1% are buildings with two to six units, and 0% are condo units. There are also 2 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
No CTA ‘L’ station sits inside Riverdale’s boundary. Most trips start on a CTA bus or by car, and the nearest ‘L’ or Metra station is in a neighboring area. If you will commute downtown, time the trip from the homes you are considering before you make an offer.
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 2 parks inside Riverdale: Carver Park and Golden Gate Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Altgeld branch here.
City Council wards
Riverdale is split among 2 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 9th Ward (about 53%), with the rest in the 10th (43%). 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
Riverdale borders Hegewisch, Pullman, South Deering, and West Pullman. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Riverdale mostly houses or condos?
A mix: 39% of its parcels are houses or townhouses, 1% are 2–6 unit buildings and 0% are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Riverdale?
No. No CTA ‘L’ station is inside Riverdale’s boundary; residents rely on buses, Metra or stations in nearby areas.
What ward is Riverdale in?
It is split among the 9th and 10th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Riverdale?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Riverdale 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, “Riverdale, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/riverdale/.