Armour Square is Chicago community area #34, on the South Side between 18th Street and Pershing Road. It contains Chinatown, centered on Cermak Road and Wentworth Avenue, and Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox. CMAP estimates its population at 13,885 (2020–2024 ACS).
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 34 |
| Side of the city | South Side |
| Population (2020–2024 ACS estimate, CMAP) | 13,885 |
| Neighborhoods within | Chinatown, Wentworth Gardens, Armour Square |
| Main L and Metra stations | Red Line: Cermak–Chinatown, Sox–35th; Metra Rock Island: 35th Street |
| Major parks | Armour Square Park |
Boundaries
Armour Square runs from 18th Street on the north to Pershing Road on the south. Union Pacific railroad tracks form the west edge and the Dan Ryan Expressway the east edge.
Neighborhoods within Armour Square
- Chinatown, centered on Cermak Road and Wentworth Avenue.
- Wentworth Gardens, a Chicago Housing Authority development.
- The blocks around Armour Square Park and the ballpark, historically home to Italian and Croatian families.
History
In 1890 Chicago’s small Chinese community lived on Clark Street in the Loop. After 1910, many moved to Cermak and Wentworth, largely for cheaper rent, and Chinatown later spread across Armour Square.
Charles Comiskey brought his team to Chicago in 1900, and Comiskey Park opened in 1910. The White Sox left the old park in 1990, when it was the oldest in the majors, and the new park opened across 35th Street in 1991.
Landmarks and parks
- Rate Field (formerly Guaranteed Rate Field), at 35th Street and Shields Avenue.
- A plaque in the parking lot marks home plate of the original Comiskey Park.
- The former On Leong Merchants Association building, with its pagoda towers.
- Santa Lucia, St. Therese and St. Jerome Croatian churches.
- Armour Square Park.
Getting there
The Red Line stops at Cermak–Chinatown and Sox–35th. Metra’s Rock Island line stops at 35th Street.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chinatown a community area?
No. Chinatown is a neighborhood inside Armour Square, community area #34.
Where do the White Sox play?
At Rate Field, 35th Street and Shields Avenue in Armour Square.
What L stop is closest to Chinatown?
The Red Line’s Cermak–Chinatown station.
When did Chinatown move to Cermak and Wentworth?
Chinese residents began moving from the Loop to Cermak and Wentworth after 1910.
Related guides
- Best of Chinatown
- Best of Bridgeport
- Near South Side (#33) community area guide
- Douglas (#35) community area guide
- Fuller Park (#37) community area guide
- Bridgeport community area guide
- CTA Red Line guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: Armour Square (June 2026 release)
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: Chinatown
- Wikipedia: Armour Square, Chicago
Last updated: October 31, 2026