Norwood Park is Community Area #10 on Chicago’s Far North Side, a residential area southeast of O’Hare. It is home to the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, the oldest building still standing in Chicago, and to Taft High School, which inspired the musical Grease. The 2020 Census counted 38,303 residents.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 10 |
| Side of the city | Far North Side |
| Population (2020 Census) | 38,303 |
| Neighborhoods within | Old Norwood Park, Norwood Park East, Norwood Park West, Oriole Park, Big Oaks, Union Ridge |
| Main L and Metra stations | Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line runs through the area; no L stations |
| Major parks and open space | Oriole Park (more than 18 acres), Norwood Park |
Where Norwood Park is and its boundaries
Norwood Park lies on the city’s northwest side, near O’Hare and the Kennedy Expressway.
Its neighborhoods have their own edges: Oriole Park runs between Harlem and Cumberland avenues south of the Kennedy, and Big Oaks and Union Ridge sit near Foster, Harlem and Nagle avenues.
Neighborhoods within Norwood Park
The area includes Old Norwood Park, the original village, plus Norwood Park East and Norwood Park West.
Oriole Park, Big Oaks and Union Ridge round out the area. Union Ridge is one of the highest points in Cook County, and a Serbian American community centers on the Serbian Orthodox cathedral.
A short history
- Mark Noble arrived in 1833 and built what became the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House.
- The Illinois and Wisconsin Railroad laid tracks in 1853; the line is now Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line.
- The Norwood Land and Building Association bought the land in 1868.
- The name comes from Henry Ward Beecher’s 1868 novel Norwood; Park was added to avoid confusion with another Illinois post office.
- Norwood Park incorporated as a village in 1874, and Chicago annexed it on November 7, 1893.
- A Memorial Day parade has run every year since 1922.
Landmarks and parks
- Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, a Chicago Landmark since 1988
- Norwood Park Historical District
- William Howard Taft High School, completed in 1939
- Union Ridge Cemetery
- Oriole Park and the 1928 Norwood Park fieldhouse
Getting there
Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line runs through Norwood Park on its way to Ogilvie Transportation Center.
The Kennedy Expressway passes through the area, and CTA buses serve Harlem Avenue and other main streets.
Frequently asked questions
What is the oldest building in Chicago?
The Noble-Seymour-Crippen House in Norwood Park, begun by settler Mark Noble after 1833.
When did Norwood Park become part of Chicago?
Chicago annexed it on November 7, 1893.
Where does the name Norwood Park come from?
From Henry Ward Beecher’s 1868 novel Norwood, with Park added to avoid a duplicate post office name.
Which high school inspired Grease?
William Howard Taft High School in Norwood Park.
Related guides
- Edison Park (Community Area #9)
- Jefferson Park (Community Area #11)
- Forest Glen (Community Area #12)
- Dunning (Community Area #17)
- O’Hare (Community Area #76)
- Chicago’s 77 community areas, explained
- Chicago neighborhoods hub
- Metra guide
Sources
- Wikipedia: Norwood Park, Chicago
- Dominican University Government Data: Chicago community areas by side
Last updated: October 31, 2026