The Near South Side is Chicago community area #33, directly south of the Loop between Roosevelt Road and 26th Street. It holds the Museum Campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium), Soldier Field, McCormick Place and the Prairie Avenue historic district. CMAP estimates its population at 30,482 (2020–2024 ACS).
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 33 |
| Side of the city | South Side, adjacent to downtown |
| Population (2020–2024 ACS estimate, CMAP) | 30,482 |
| Neighborhoods within | South Loop (most), Prairie Avenue District, Central Station, Museum Campus, Dearborn Park, Southbridge, Prairie Shores |
| Main L and Metra stations | L: Roosevelt (Red, Green, Orange); Metra Electric: Museum Campus/11th Street is just north, in the Loop |
| Major parks | Burnham Park, Northerly Island, Grant Park extension, Mark Twain Park, Daniel Webster Park |
Boundaries
Roosevelt Road forms the north edge and 26th Street the south edge, with Lake Michigan on the east. The western line follows the Chicago River from Roosevelt to 18th Street, then Clark Street, Federal Street and Clark again down to 26th.
Neighborhoods within the Near South Side
- South Loop, the neighborhood name used for much of the area.
- Prairie Avenue District, Chicago’s most fashionable street at the time of the 1871 fire.
- Dearborn Park, built on former rail yards south of Roosevelt between State and Clark.
- Central Station, developed from 1990 on 72 acres of former rail yards.
- Southbridge and Prairie Shores, plus part of Bronzeville.
History
Germans, Irish and Scandinavians came first to work on the Illinois & Michigan Canal and in the South Branch lumber district. Wealthy families built along Prairie Avenue before moving away in the 1890s, and Michigan Avenue from 14th to 22nd Street became Auto Row soon after 1900. The Levee vice district near Cermak and State was officially closed in 1912.
Burnham Park and Northerly Island were created on landfill in the 1920s and 1930s and hosted the 1933–34 Century of Progress Exposition. The first McCormick Place opened in 1960, burned in 1967 and was rebuilt larger, with new halls in 1986 and 1997.
Landmarks and parks
- Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium on the Museum Campus.
- Soldier Field, built in the 1920s on the lakefront.
- McCormick Place convention center and Wintrust Arena.
- John J. Glessner House (1886) on Prairie Avenue, designed by H. H. Richardson.
- Burnham Park and Northerly Island along the lakefront.
Getting there
The Roosevelt station is a transfer point for the Red, Green and Orange lines. Metra Electric trains stop at Museum Campus/11th Street, just over the line in the Loop.
Frequently asked questions
Is the South Loop a community area?
No. The South Loop is a neighborhood name; most of it lies in the Near South Side (#33), and part lies in the Loop (#32).
Which museums are in the Near South Side?
The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium, all on the Museum Campus.
Is Soldier Field in the Near South Side?
Yes. Soldier Field stands on the Near South Side lakefront next to the Museum Campus.
When did McCormick Place open?
The first building opened in 1960, was destroyed by fire in 1967 and was rebuilt.
Related guides
- Best of the South Loop
- Best of Chinatown
- Loop (#32) community area guide
- Armour Square (#34) community area guide
- Douglas (#35) community area guide
- Chicago sports teams
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: Near South Side (June 2026 release)
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: Near South Side
- Wikipedia: Near South Side, Chicago
- Wikipedia: Loop, Chicago
- Wikipedia: List of Chicago “L” stations
Last updated: October 31, 2026