Chatham is Chicago community area #44, on the South Side. Since the late 1950s it has been one of the city’s best-known middle-class African American neighborhoods, with blocks of brick bungalows and historic Black-owned businesses. CMAP estimates its population at 29,942 (2020–2024 ACS).
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 44 |
| Side of the city | South Side |
| Population (2020–2024 ACS estimate, CMAP) | 29,942 |
| Neighborhoods within | Chatham-Avalon, Chatham Club, Chesterfield, East Chatham, West Chatham, part of West Chesterfield |
| Main L and Metra stations | Red Line: 79th, 87th; Metra Electric: 79th St. (Chatham), 83rd St. (Avalon Park), 87th St. (Woodruff) |
| Historic districts | Garden Homes; West Chatham Bungalow |
Boundaries
Chatham sits on the South Side around 79th and 87th streets, with the Metra Electric line along its eastern border. Avalon Park adjoins it on the east.
Neighborhoods within Chatham
- Chatham-Avalon, Chatham Club and East Chatham.
- West Chatham, including the West Chatham Bungalow Historic District between 79th and 82nd streets.
- Chesterfield and part of West Chesterfield.
- Historic subdivisions included Avalon Highlands and Chatham Fields.
History
Hunters called the swampy land “Mud Lake” in the 1860s. The Illinois Central built corncribs here in 1860, and the area was annexed to Chicago in 1889 as part of Hyde Park Township. Chatham Fields was subdivided in 1914 with strict building standards.
Population grew from 9,774 to 36,228 during the 1920s. The Black share of residents rose from under 1% in 1950 to 63.7% in 1960, in a transition that was relatively uncontested. Population peaked in 1970 at over 47,000.
Landmarks and parks
- Garden Homes Historic District, listed on the National Register in 2005.
- West Chatham Bungalow Historic District, 283 bungalows built 1913–1930, listed in 2010.
- Mahalia Jackson’s home at 8358 S. Indiana Avenue, where she lived from 1956 until 1972.
- Johnson Products (Ultra Sheen) and Seaway National Bank, historic Black-owned businesses.
- The Four Nineteen Building, a gas station designed to look like a small house.
Getting there
The Red Line stops at 79th and 87th. Metra Electric stations at 79th, 83rd and 87th streets run along the east side.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chatham a middle-class neighborhood?
Chatham has been a center of middle-class African American Chicago since the late 1950s.
Where did Mahalia Jackson live in Chicago?
At 8358 S. Indiana Avenue in Chatham, from 1956 until her death in 1972.
What Red Line stops are in Chatham?
79th and 87th.
How many people live in Chatham?
CMAP estimates 29,942 residents (2020–2024 ACS).
Related guides
- Avalon Park (#45) community area guide
- Burnside (#47) community area guide
- Roseland (#49) community area guide
- Greater Grand Crossing community area guide
- Auburn Gresham community area guide
- CTA Red Line guide
- Metra guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: Chatham (June 2026 release)
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: Chatham
- Wikipedia: Chatham, Chicago
Last updated: October 31, 2026