Albany Park is Community Area #14 on Chicago’s Far North Side, at the northern end of the Brown Line. It is one of the most diverse places in the city, with a large immigrant population and the stretch of Lawrence Avenue the City has nicknamed Seoul Drive. The 2020 Census counted 48,396 residents.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 14 |
| Side of the city | Far North Side |
| Population (2020 Census) | 48,396 |
| Neighborhoods within | Albany Park, Mayfair, North Mayfair, Ravenswood Manor |
| Main L and Metra stations | Brown Line: Kimball, Kedzie, Francisco; Metra Milwaukee District North: Mayfair |
| Major parks and open space | Gompers Park, Eugene Field Park, Ronan Park, Jensen Park, River Park |
Where Albany Park is and its boundaries
Albany Park lies on the Far North Side, with the North Branch of the Chicago River forming its northern and eastern edges.
Its neighborhoods extend south to Montrose Avenue and west past Pulaski Road toward Lamon Avenue.
Neighborhoods within Albany Park
The community area includes Albany Park proper, Mayfair, North Mayfair and Ravenswood Manor.
More than 40 languages are spoken in its public schools. Lawrence Avenue between Kedzie and Pulaski carries the honorary name Seoul Drive.
A short history
- Investors bought land here in 1893; developer DeLancy Louderback named it after his hometown, Albany, New York.
- The Ravenswood elevated branch reached Kimball on December 14, 1907, setting off a building boom.
- Population reached about 55,000 by 1930.
- Immigration from Korea and Central America grew from the 1970s, and the area became known as Chicago’s Koreatown in the 1980s.
- Bosnian, Indian and East African newcomers followed in the 1990s and 2000s.
Landmarks and parks
- Lawrence Avenue (Seoul Drive) shops and restaurants
- Albany Park Theater Project
- Irish American Heritage Center
- American Indian Center
- Gompers Park and River Park along the river
Getting there
The Brown Line ends at Kimball, at Lawrence and Kimball avenues, and also stops at Kedzie and Francisco.
Metra’s Milwaukee District North Line stops at Mayfair, and the Blue Line’s Montrose station is nearby.
Frequently asked questions
What community area number is Albany Park?
Albany Park is Community Area #14.
Where does the Brown Line end?
At Kimball station in Albany Park, at Lawrence and Kimball avenues.
Why is it called Albany Park?
Developer DeLancy Louderback named it after his hometown of Albany, New York.
Is Albany Park Chicago’s Koreatown?
It became known as Koreatown in the 1980s, and Lawrence Avenue is still nicknamed Seoul Drive, though the number of Korean businesses has fallen.
Related guides
- North Park (Community Area #13)
- Lincoln Square (Community Area #4)
- Irving Park (Community Area #16)
- Forest Glen (Community Area #12)
- Chicago’s 77 community areas, explained
- Chicago neighborhoods hub
- Brown Line guide
- Metra guide
Sources
- Wikipedia: Albany Park, Chicago
- Dominican University Government Data: Chicago community areas by side
Last updated: October 31, 2026