Woodlawn is Chicago community area 42, a 2.1-square-mile area on the South Side, about 7 miles from the Loop. Woodlawn lies south of the Midway Plaisance and Hyde Park and includes the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park. Its homes are a mix of two-flats, condo units and houses, with the Green Line’s two Cottage Grove branch stations here.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Woodlawn. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Woodlawn
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 42 |
| Part of the city | South Side |
| Size | 2.1 square miles |
| Borders | Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, South Shore, Washington Park |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 6,098 |
| Houses and townhouses | 910 (15%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 1,791 (29%) |
| Condo units | 1,403 (23%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 2 (Green) |
| City Council wards | 20th, 5th, 6th Wards |
Homes you will find in Woodlawn
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 6,098 parcels in Woodlawn. 15% are houses or townhouses, 29% are buildings with two to six units, and 23% are condo units. There are also 183 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
2 CTA ‘L’ stations are inside Woodlawn’s boundary: Cottage Grove (Green Line, accessible) and King Drive (Green Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 9 parks inside Woodlawn: Beehive Park, Boswell Park, Flying Squirrel Park, Harris Park, Huckleberry Park, Jackson Park, Moccasin Ranch, Prairie Wolf Park, and Mamie Till-Mobley Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Coleman branch and Obama Presidential Center Library here.
City Council wards
Woodlawn is split among 3 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 20th Ward (about 52%), with the rest in the 5th (42%) and the 6th (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
Woodlawn borders Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, South Shore, and Washington Park. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Woodlawn mostly houses or condos?
Mostly two-flats and small apartment buildings: 29% 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 Woodlawn?
Yes. Woodlawn has 2 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Green line.
What ward is Woodlawn in?
It is split among the 20th, 5th, and 6th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Woodlawn?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Woodlawn 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, “Woodlawn, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/woodlawn/.