The Lower West Side is Chicago community area #31, about 3 miles southwest of the Loop. It contains Pilsen and Heart of Chicago and is known for the National Museum of Mexican Art and the 18th Street corridor. CMAP estimates its population at 33,446 (2020–2024 ACS).
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 31 |
| Side of the city | Southwest of downtown (Lower West Side) |
| Population (2020–2024 ACS estimate, CMAP) | 33,446 |
| Neighborhoods within | Pilsen, East Pilsen, Heart of Chicago, Heart of Italy |
| Main L stations | Pink Line: 18th, Damen, Western; Orange Line: Ashland (on the southern edge) |
| Major parks | Harrison Park (18.58 acres, 1824 S. Wood St.) |
Boundaries
The Chicago River forms the area’s southern and eastern edges. Burlington Northern railroad tracks form its northern and western edges.
Neighborhoods within the Lower West Side
- Pilsen: roughly 16th Street to the Stevenson Expressway, between the Dan Ryan Expressway and Ashland Avenue.
- Heart of Chicago: roughly the BNSF tracks to I-55, between Ashland and Western avenues, around Cermak Road and Damen Avenue.
- East Pilsen and Heart of Italy: smaller named sections.
History
Bohemians displaced by the 1871 fire settled the oldest part and named it after Plzeň in their homeland. Employers included Schoenhofen Brewery and McCormick Reaper Works, and residents formed unions and published multilingual newspapers in the 1880s.
Heart of Chicago was settled by Germans and Irish in the 1860s and 1870s and was mostly Polish by 1900. Mexican families moved into Pilsen as urban renewal hit the Near West Side and the Stevenson Expressway opened in 1964. By 2000, 88.9% of residents were Hispanic or Latino.
Landmarks and parks
- National Museum of Mexican Art, opened in 1987 as the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum.
- Thalia Hall, built in 1892 at 18th and Allport.
- St. Adalbert Church, a Polish Cathedral-style church.
- Benito Juárez Community Academy, created in 1977 and decorated with murals.
- Pilsen Historic District, listed on the National Register in 2006.
Getting there
The Pink Line serves Pilsen with stops at 18th, Damen and Western. The Orange Line’s Ashland station is on the area’s southern edge.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pilsen a community area?
No. Pilsen is a neighborhood inside the Lower West Side, community area #31.
How did Pilsen get its name?
Czech immigrants named it after Plzeň, a city in their homeland.
What L stops serve Pilsen?
The Pink Line stops at 18th, Damen and Western.
What is the National Museum of Mexican Art?
It is a Pilsen museum that opened in 1987 as the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum.
Related guides
- Best of Pilsen
- Near West Side (#28) community area guide
- South Lawndale (#30) community area guide
- Bridgeport community area guide
- McKinley Park community area guide
- CTA Pink Line guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: Lower West Side (June 2026 release)
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: Lower West Side
- Wikipedia: Lower West Side, Chicago
Last updated: October 31, 2026