South Deering, Chicago: Community Area #51 Guide

South Deering is Chicago community area #51, on the Southeast Side, and at 10.70 square miles it is the largest of the city’s 77 community areas by land. Lake Calumet covers much of it, and it was home to the Wisconsin Steel mill until 1980. CMAP estimates its population at 12,854 (2020–2024 ACS).

Fact	Details
Community area number	51
Side of the city	Southeast Side
Population (2020–2024 ACS estimate, CMAP)	12,854
Neighborhoods within	Jeffery Manor, Merrionette Manor, Vet’s Park, Irondale, Slag Valley, Trumbull Park
Main L and Metra stations	None; served by CTA buses including routes 95, 100 and 106
Major parks	Trumbull Park; Lake Calumet

Boundaries

South Deering lies on the Southeast Side, south of South Chicago and west of the East Side. Lake Calumet takes up a large share of its land, and the Calumet River runs through its industrial zone.

Neighborhoods within South Deering

Jeffery Manor, between 95th and 103rd streets west of Torrence Avenue, including Merrionette Manor.
Vet’s Park, roughly 95th to 103rd streets east of Torrence Avenue.
Irondale, the original settlement west of Torrence.
Slag Valley, along Commercial Avenue from 100th to 104th streets.
Trumbull Park Homes, public housing built in 1937–38.

History

Irish, Welsh and English workers settled first, followed by Swedes, Germans and, after 1900, Eastern and Southern Europeans; Mexicans arrived after World War I. International Harvester bought Brown’s mill in 1902 and built Wisconsin Steel. The area is named for Charles Deering of the Deering Harvester Company.

In 1953, a Black family’s move into Trumbull Park Homes set off a decade of white violence and protest. Wisconsin Steel closed without notice in March 1980. A Save Our Jobs Committee led by Frank Lumpkin sued, and in 1988 Harvester (then Navistar) agreed to pay $14.8 million.

Landmarks and parks

Calumet Fisheries, a seafood restaurant open since 1928.
Trumbull Park, at 103rd Street and Yates Avenue.
St. Kevin’s Church, founded by Irish workers at 105th and Torrence.
Former Wisconsin Steel site along Torrence Avenue.
Lake Calumet.

Getting there

South Deering has no rail station. CTA bus routes 95, 100 and 106 serve the area, and the planned Red Line Extension is designed to end at 130th Street.

Frequently asked questions

What is the largest community area in Chicago?

South Deering, at 10.70 square miles.

Who is South Deering named after?

Charles Deering of the Deering Harvester Company.

What happened to Wisconsin Steel?

The mill, built by International Harvester, closed without notice in March 1980.