Auburn Gresham is Chicago community area #71, on the South Side with 79th Street as its main shopping street. It is known for its historic bungalow district, St. Sabina Church and the St. Leo campus for veterans. About 43,800 people live there.
Auburn Gresham key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Community area number | #71 of 77 |
| Side of the city | South Side |
| Population | 43,779 (2020–2024 American Community Survey five-year estimate, CMAP Community Data Snapshot, June 2026 release) |
| Neighborhoods within | Auburn Gresham, Gresham |
| Main L and Metra stations | Metra Rock Island: Gresham (87th and Vincennes); Red Line 79th and 87th stations in nearby Chatham |
| Major parks | Foster Park (1440 W. 84th St., 25 acres) |
Location
Auburn Gresham lies on the South Side, with Beverly to the southwest and Chatham nearby. 79th Street is the community’s main commercial corridor and its retail heart.
Neighborhoods within Auburn Gresham
The area includes Auburn Gresham and Gresham. The Auburn lagoons, near 79th Street, mark where some of the community’s first homes were built.
History
- Late 1800s: Irish railroad workers and others move in after city services are extended.
- 1918–1932: 264 brick bungalows are built, now the Auburn Gresham Bungalow Historic District on the National Register.
- 1920–1930: the population nearly triples, from 19,558 to 57,381.
- 1959: churches and civic groups form the Organization of Southwest Communities.
- 1960–1970: the area goes from nearly all white to 69 percent Black amid blockbusting and white flight.
Landmarks and parks
- St. Sabina Church, 1210 W. 78th Place.
- St. Leo campus for veterans, 7750 S. Emerald Ave.
- Thurgood Marshall branch of the Chicago Public Library, opened in 1994.
- Foster Park, 1440 W. 84th St., with a 1950 Art Moderne field house.
- The first urban SOS Children’s Village in the United States.
Getting there
Metra’s Rock Island line stops at Gresham, at 87th Street and Vincennes Avenue, with trains to LaSalle Street Station. A new Metra station at 79th Street, Auburn Park, has been under construction.
The Red Line’s 79th and 87th stations are in nearby Chatham.
Frequently asked questions
What community area number is Auburn Gresham?
Auburn Gresham is community area #71.
What is the main street in Auburn Gresham?
79th Street, the community’s main commercial corridor.
Is St. Sabina in Auburn Gresham?
Yes. St. Sabina Church is at 1210 W. 78th Place.
What train serves Auburn Gresham?
Metra’s Rock Island line at Gresham; the Red Line stops at 79th and 87th in nearby Chatham.
Related guides
- Englewood community area guide
- West Englewood community area guide
- Chatham community area guide
- Ashburn community area guide
- Beverly community area guide
- Washington Heights community area guide
- Metra guide
- CTA Red Line guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: Auburn Gresham (June 2026)
- Wikipedia: Auburn Gresham, Chicago
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: Auburn Gresham
- LISC/NCP Auburn Gresham quality-of-life plan
- Chicago Park District: Foster Park
Last updated: October 31, 2026