Calumet Heights is Chicago community area #48, a mostly residential community on the Southeast Side, south of 87th Street. It includes Pill Hill, named for the many doctors who built homes on the Stony Island ridge, and Stony Island Heights. CMAP estimates its population at 11,229 (2020–2024 ACS).
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 48 |
| Side of the city | Southeast Side |
| Population (2020–2024 ACS estimate, CMAP) | 11,229 |
| Neighborhoods within | Pill Hill, Stony Island Heights, Calumet Heights |
| Main L and Metra stations | None inside the area |
| Notable feature | Stony Island ridge, once an island in glacial Lake Chicago |
Boundaries
Calumet Heights runs south from 87th Street, with South Chicago Avenue on the east and railroad lines on the west and south, near 95th Street. Avalon Park is to the north and South Chicago to the east.
Neighborhoods within Calumet Heights
- Pill Hill, the more affluent section, on the Stony Island ridge.
- Stony Island Heights, which covers about two-thirds of the area.
- Calumet Heights, the original subdivision.
History
Samuel E. Gross bought land here in 1887 and created the Calumet Heights subdivision. The area was part of Hyde Park Township, which Chicago annexed in 1889. Growth was slow until the 1920s, when population more than doubled to 7,343 by 1930.
After World War II, the 92nd Street quarry was filled and small homes were built on it. Population reached 19,352 in 1960. African American families began moving in during the early 1960s, and by 1980 they made up more than 86 percent of residents.
Landmarks and parks
- Pill Hill’s large homes on the Stony Island ridge, once an island in glacial Lake Chicago.
- Bronzeville Children’s Museum.
- Shopping around Stony Island Avenue and 87th Street.
Getting there
Calumet Heights has no rail station inside its boundaries. Metra Electric stations in neighboring South Chicago, such as 87th Street, and CTA buses connect the area.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Pill Hill?
It is named for the many doctors from nearby South Chicago Hospital who owned large homes on the Stony Island ridge.
How many people live in Calumet Heights?
CMAP estimates 11,229 residents (2020–2024 ACS).
Who developed Calumet Heights?
Samuel E. Gross, who bought land and created the Calumet Heights subdivision in 1887.
What famous person grew up in Calumet Heights?
Rapper and Academy Award winner Common was raised here.
Related guides
- Avalon Park (#45) community area guide
- South Chicago (#46) community area guide
- Burnside (#47) community area guide
- South Deering (#51) community area guide
- Pullman (#50) community area guide
- CTA buses guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: Calumet Heights (June 2026 release)
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: Calumet Heights
- Wikipedia: Calumet Heights, Chicago
Last updated: October 31, 2026