Chicago Lawn is Chicago community area #66, on the Southwest Side about 8 miles from the Loop. It is centered on 323-acre Marquette Park, a name many locals use for the whole area, and has long been a hub of Lithuanian Chicago. About 54,400 people live there, according to CMAP’s 2026 snapshot.
Chicago Lawn key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Community area number | #66 of 77 |
| Side of the city | Southwest Side |
| Population | 54,409 (2020–2024 American Community Survey five-year estimate, CMAP Community Data Snapshot, June 2026 release) |
| Neighborhoods within | Chicago Lawn, Marquette Park, Lithuanian Plaza |
| Main L and Metra stations | No L or Metra station inside per our sources; CTA buses |
| Major parks | Marquette Park (323 acres) |
Boundaries
Chicago Lawn runs from 59th Street on the north to the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks on the south. Central Park Avenue is the west edge, and CSX and Norfolk Southern tracks form the east edge.
It borders Gage Park, West Englewood, Ashburn and West Lawn.
Neighborhoods within Chicago Lawn
The area includes Chicago Lawn, Lithuanian Plaza and Marquette Park, the neighborhood around the park.
History
- 1871: John F. Eberhart founds the community.
- 1889: Chicago annexes the area.
- 1920–1930: the population rises from about 14,000 to 47,000.
- 1927: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is founded as a Lithuanian parish.
- 1941: the National Biscuit Company announces a large bakery here.
- 1966: Martin Luther King Jr. leads a march into Marquette Park and is met with violence.
Landmarks and parks
- Marquette Park, 323 acres, with an Art Deco monument to Lituanica pilots Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas.
- Holy Cross Hospital, founded in 1928 by the Lithuanian Sisters of Saint Casimir.
- Maria High School, founded in 1952.
- Chicago Lawn branch of the Chicago Public Library, dedicated in 1960.
Getting there
Our sources list no L or Metra station inside Chicago Lawn, so most trips are by CTA bus or car. See our bus guide for routes and fares.
Frequently asked questions
What community area number is Chicago Lawn?
Chicago Lawn is community area #66.
Is Marquette Park a community area?
No. Marquette Park is a 323-acre park and the surrounding neighborhood inside the Chicago Lawn community area.
What happened at Marquette Park in 1966?
Martin Luther King Jr. led a civil rights march into the park, where marchers faced violent opposition.
Why is Chicago Lawn linked to Lithuanian Chicago?
It is home to Lithuanian Plaza, the Nativity BVM Lithuanian parish founded in 1927 and Holy Cross Hospital, founded by Lithuanian sisters in 1928.
Related guides
- Gage Park community area guide
- West Englewood community area guide
- Ashburn community area guide
- West Lawn community area guide
- CTA bus guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
Last updated: October 31, 2026