West Elsdon is Chicago community area 62, a 1.2-square-mile area on the Southwest Side, about 8 miles from the Loop. West Elsdon is a small residential area with the Orange Line’s Pulaski station on its north side. About three out of four parcels are single-family homes.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for West Elsdon. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: West Elsdon
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 62 |
| Part of the city | Southwest Side |
| Size | 1.2 square miles |
| Borders | Archer Heights, Brighton Park, Gage Park, Garfield Ridge, West Lawn |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 4,923 |
| Houses and townhouses | 3,775 (77%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 437 (9%) |
| Condo units | 243 (5%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 1 (Orange) |
| City Council wards | 23rd, 13th, 14th Wards |
Homes you will find in West Elsdon
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 4,923 parcels in West Elsdon. 77% are houses or townhouses, 9% are buildings with two to six units, and 5% are condo units. There are also 14 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 West Elsdon’s boundary: Pulaski (Orange Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 2 parks inside West Elsdon: Pasteur Park and Strohacker Park. There is no Chicago Public Library branch inside West Elsdon; the nearest is in a neighboring area.
City Council wards
West Elsdon is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 23rd Ward (about 61%), with the rest in the 13th (33%) and the 14th (6%). 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
West Elsdon borders Archer Heights, Brighton Park, Gage Park, Garfield Ridge, and West Lawn. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is West Elsdon mostly houses or condos?
Mostly houses: 77% 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 West Elsdon?
Yes. West Elsdon has 1 CTA ‘L’ station on the Orange line.
What ward is West Elsdon in?
It is split among the 23rd, 13th, and 14th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in West Elsdon?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in West Elsdon 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, “West Elsdon, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/west-elsdon/.