Douglas is Chicago community area #35, on the South Side about 3 miles south of the Loop. It runs from 26th Street to Pershing Road along the lakefront and contains the Illinois Institute of Technology and much of historic Bronzeville. CMAP estimates its population at 21,088 (2020–2024 ACS).
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 35 |
| Side of the city | South Side |
| Population (2020–2024 ACS estimate, CMAP) | 21,088 |
| Neighborhoods within | Bronzeville (part), Lake Meadows, Prairie Shores, Groveland Park, The Gap |
| Main L and Metra stations | Green Line: 35th–Bronzeville–IIT; Metra Rock Island: 35th Street; Metra Electric: 27th Street |
| Major parks | Burnham Park, including 31st Street Beach |
Boundaries
Douglas stretches from 26th Street south to Pershing Road and east to the lakefront. Grand Boulevard lies to the south and Oakland borders it on the southeast.
Neighborhoods within Douglas
- Bronzeville, shared with Grand Boulevard.
- Lake Meadows and Prairie Shores, two large neighboring apartment developments.
- Groveland Park, the only surviving part of Stephen A. Douglas’s original estate.
- The Gap, a landmark district from 31st to 35th streets between King Drive and Michigan Avenue.
History
Stephen A. Douglas bought 70 acres along the lake in 1852 and donated land on which the first University of Chicago opened in 1860. Camp Douglas, between 31st and 33rd streets, became a Union prison camp where about 4,400 Confederate prisoners died.
From the 1920s to the 1940s the area was the center of Black business and culture known as the Black Metropolis, with musicians including King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. The Chicago Housing Authority built several projects here in the 1950s and early 1960s.
Landmarks and parks
- Illinois Institute of Technology campus.
- Black Metropolis–Bronzeville District, a Chicago Landmark.
- Ida B. Wells-Barnett House and the Wabash Avenue YMCA.
- Former Kehilath Anshe Mayriv Synagogue (1890) by Adler and Sullivan, home to Pilgrim Baptist Church from 1922.
- Burnham Park and 31st Street Beach.
Getting there
The Green Line stops at 35th–Bronzeville–IIT. Metra’s Rock Island line has a 35th Street station that opened in 2011, and Metra Electric has a stop at 27th Street.
Frequently asked questions
Is Douglas the same as Bronzeville?
Bronzeville is a historic neighborhood that spans Douglas (#35) and Grand Boulevard (#38).
Who is Douglas named for?
Stephen A. Douglas, who bought lakefront land here in 1852.
Is IIT in Douglas?
Yes. The Illinois Institute of Technology campus is in Douglas.
Is there a beach in Douglas?
Yes. 31st Street Beach is in Burnham Park on the Douglas lakefront.
Related guides
- Best of Bronzeville
- Near South Side (#33) community area guide
- Armour Square (#34) community area guide
- Oakland (#36) community area guide
- Grand Boulevard (#38) community area guide
- CTA Green Line guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: Douglas (June 2026 release)
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: Douglas
- Wikipedia: Douglas, Chicago
Last updated: October 31, 2026