South Deering is Chicago community area 51, a 10.9-square-mile area on the Far Southeast Side, about 13 miles from the Loop. South Deering is one of the city’s largest areas by land, much of it former steel mill sites, wetlands and the Big Marsh bike park. Its homes are concentrated in the Jeffery Manor and Trumbull Park blocks.
Also known as or includes: Jeffery Manor, Trumbull Park.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for South Deering. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: South Deering
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 51 |
| Part of the city | Far Southeast Side |
| Size | 10.9 square miles |
| Borders | Burnside, Calumet Heights, East Side, Hegewisch, Pullman, Riverdale, South Chicago |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 8,101 |
| Houses and townhouses | 4,113 (51%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 370 (5%) |
| Condo units | 8 (0%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | None |
| City Council wards | 10th, 7th Wards |
Homes you will find in South Deering
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 8,101 parcels in South Deering. 51% are houses or townhouses, 5% are buildings with two to six units, and 0% are condo 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
No CTA ‘L’ station sits inside South Deering’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 8 parks inside South Deering: Big Marsh, Bradley Park, Byrnes Park, Luella Park, Merrill Park, Pine Park, Trumbull Park, and Veterans’ Memorial Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Jeffery Manor branch here.
City Council wards
South Deering is split among 2 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 10th Ward (about 85%), with the rest in the 7th (14%). 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
South Deering borders Burnside, Calumet Heights, East Side, Hegewisch, Pullman, Riverdale, and South Chicago. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is South Deering mostly houses or condos?
Mostly houses: 51% 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 South Deering?
No. No CTA ‘L’ station is inside South Deering’s boundary; residents rely on buses, Metra or stations in nearby areas.
What ward is South Deering in?
It is split among the 10th and 7th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in South Deering?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in South Deering 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, “South Deering, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/south-deering/.