Roseland is Chicago community area 49, a 4.8-square-mile area on the Far Southeast Side, about 12 miles from the Loop. Roseland is a large Far South Side area, with the Red Line’s 95th/Dan Ryan terminal inside it. About two out of three parcels are houses, many of them bungalows and frame homes.
Also known as or includes: Fernwood.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Roseland. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Roseland
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 49 |
| Part of the city | Far Southeast Side |
| Size | 4.8 square miles |
| Borders | Auburn Gresham, Burnside, Chatham, Morgan Park, Pullman, Washington Heights, West Pullman |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 16,185 |
| Houses and townhouses | 10,690 (66%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 1,567 (10%) |
| Condo units | 9 (0%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 1 (Red) |
| City Council wards | 9th, 21st, 8th, 6th Wards |
Homes you will find in Roseland
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 16,185 parcels in Roseland. 66% are houses or townhouses, 10% are buildings with two to six units, and 0% are condo units. There are also 98 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
This is mostly a single-family market. Houses here can be bought with any of the common first-time buyer loans, and there is no condo association approval to clear. Budget for upkeep that a condo owner shares with neighbors, such as the roof, furnace and sewer line, and get a full inspection during the inspection period.
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
One CTA ‘L’ station is inside Roseland’s boundary: 95th/Dan Ryan (Red Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 4 parks inside Roseland: Abbott Park, Fernwood Park, Palmer Park, and Smith Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Pullman branch here.
City Council wards
Roseland is split among 4 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 9th Ward (about 63%), with the rest in the 21st (24%), the 8th (8%), and the 6th (5%). 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
Roseland borders Auburn Gresham, Burnside, Chatham, Morgan Park, Pullman, Washington Heights, and West Pullman. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Roseland mostly houses or condos?
Mostly houses: 66% of its parcels are houses or townhouses. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Roseland?
Yes. Roseland has 1 CTA ‘L’ station on the Red line.
What ward is Roseland in?
It is split among the 9th, 21st, 8th, and 6th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Roseland?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Roseland 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, “Roseland, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/roseland/.