West Town is Chicago community area 24, a 4.6-square-mile area on the West Side, about 3 miles from the Loop. West Town takes in Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, East Village, Noble Square and the blocks around the Blue Line’s Division, Damen, Chicago and Grand stations. About half its parcels are condo units, with many two-flats and some houses.
Also known as or includes: Wicker Park, Bucktown (part), Ukrainian Village, East Village, Noble Square.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for West Town. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: West Town
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 24 |
| Part of the city | West Side |
| Size | 4.6 square miles |
| Borders | East Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Near North Side, Near West Side |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 31,618 |
| Houses and townhouses | 3,802 (12%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 6,397 (20%) |
| Condo units | 16,442 (52%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 4 (Blue) |
| City Council wards | 1st, 27th, 36th, 26th, 32nd Wards |
Homes you will find in West Town
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 31,618 parcels in West Town. 12% are houses or townhouses, 20% are buildings with two to six units, and 52% are condo units. There are also 626 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
This is a condo market. Most first-time buyers here will be buying a unit, so the building matters as much as the unit: the lender will review the association’s budget, reserves and owner-occupancy, and some loans need the building to be approved. Read our post on Fannie Mae’s new condo rules before you make an offer, and ask for the association’s budget and recent minutes during attorney review.
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
4 CTA ‘L’ stations are inside West Town’s boundary: Chicago (Blue Line), Damen (Blue Line), Division (Blue Line), and Grand (Blue Line).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 12 parks inside West Town: Commercial Club Playground, Dean Park, Eckhart Park, Honoré Park, Maplewood Park, Pulaski Park, Smith Park, Snowberry Park, Superior Park, Walsh Park, Western Park, and Wicker Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Bucktown-Wicker Park branch and the West Town branch here.
City Council wards
West Town is split among 5 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 1st Ward (about 30%), with the rest in the 27th (25%), the 36th (19%), the 26th (17%), and the 32nd (9%). 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 Town borders East Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Near North Side, and Near West Side. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is West Town mostly houses or condos?
Mostly condos: 52% of its parcels are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in West Town?
Yes. West Town has 4 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Blue line.
What ward is West Town in?
It is split among the 1st, 27th, 36th, 26th, and 32nd Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in West Town?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in West Town 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 Town, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/west-town/.