South Lawndale is Chicago community area 30, a 4.6-square-mile area on the West Side, about 5 miles from the Loop. South Lawndale is better known as Little Village, with the 26th Street business corridor running through it. About half its parcels are two-to-six-unit buildings, the highest share of any area in the city.
Also known as or includes: Little Village.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for South Lawndale. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: South Lawndale
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 30 |
| Part of the city | West Side |
| Size | 4.6 square miles |
| Borders | Archer Heights, Brighton Park, Garfield Ridge, Lower West Side, North Lawndale |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 11,084 |
| Houses and townhouses | 2,813 (25%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 5,658 (51%) |
| Condo units | 40 (0%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 1 (Pink) |
| City Council wards | 22nd, 25th, 24th, 12th, 14th Wards |
Homes you will find in South Lawndale
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 11,084 parcels in South Lawndale. 25% are houses or townhouses, 51% are buildings with two to six units, and 0% are condo units. There are also 75 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
One CTA ‘L’ station is inside South Lawndale’s boundary: California (Pink Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 7 parks inside South Lawndale: Homan Park, La Villita Park, Limas Park, Miami Park, Piotrowski Park, Shedd Park, and Washtenaw Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Little Village branch and the Toman branch here.
City Council wards
South Lawndale is split among 5 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 22nd Ward (about 60%), with the rest in the 25th (20%), the 24th (11%), the 12th (5%), and the 14th (3%). 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 Lawndale borders Archer Heights, Brighton Park, Garfield Ridge, Lower West Side, and North Lawndale. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is South Lawndale mostly houses or condos?
Mostly two-flats and small apartment buildings: 51% 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 South Lawndale?
Yes. South Lawndale has 1 CTA ‘L’ station on the Pink line.
What ward is South Lawndale in?
It is split among the 22nd, 25th, 24th, 12th, and 14th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in South Lawndale?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in South 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, “South Lawndale, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/south-lawndale/.