Washington Park is Chicago community area 40, a 1.5-square-mile area on the South Side, about 6 miles from the Loop. Washington Park is named for the large park on its east side. The Green Line stops at Garfield, and its housing is mostly condo units and two-flats.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Washington Park. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Washington Park
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 40 |
| Part of the city | South Side |
| Size | 1.5 square miles |
| Borders | Englewood, Fuller Park, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, Woodlawn |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 3,272 |
| Houses and townhouses | 159 (5%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 469 (14%) |
| Condo units | 860 (26%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 1 (Green) |
| City Council wards | 20th, 3rd Wards |
Homes you will find in Washington Park
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 3,272 parcels in Washington Park. 5% are houses or townhouses, 14% are buildings with two to six units, and 26% are condo units. There are also 134 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
One CTA ‘L’ station is inside Washington Park’s boundary: Garfield (Green Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 2 parks inside Washington Park: Lorraine Hansberry Park and Washington Park. There is no Chicago Public Library branch inside Washington Park; the nearest is in a neighboring area.
City Council wards
Washington Park is split among 2 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 20th Ward (about 79%), with the rest in the 3rd (21%). 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
Washington Park borders Englewood, Fuller Park, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, and Woodlawn. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Washington Park mostly houses or condos?
A mix: 5% of its parcels are houses or townhouses, 14% are 2–6 unit buildings and 26% are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Washington Park?
Yes. Washington Park has 1 CTA ‘L’ station on the Green line.
What ward is Washington Park in?
It is split among the 20th and 3rd Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Washington Park?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Washington Park 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, “Washington Park, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/washington-park/.