East Garfield Park is Chicago community area #27, on the city’s West Side. It is best known for the Garfield Park Conservatory, which first opened in 1908, and for the large park it sits in. CMAP estimates its population at 20,731 (2020–2024 ACS).
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 27 |
| Side of the city | West Side |
| Population (2020–2024 ACS estimate, CMAP) | 20,731 |
| Neighborhoods within | East Garfield Park, Fifth City |
| Main L stations | Green Line: Kedzie, Conservatory–Central Park Drive, California; Blue Line: Kedzie–Homan |
| Major parks | Garfield Park (182 acres, in the northwest corner of the area) |
Boundaries
The area is bounded by Union Pacific railroad tracks on the north, Rockwell Street on the east, Arthington and Taylor streets on the south, and Hamlin Avenue and Independence Boulevard on the west. The Eisenhower Expressway runs east-west through its southern part.
Neighborhoods within East Garfield Park
Most residents simply call the whole area East Garfield Park. Fifth City is a named section that takes its name from the Fifth City Human Development Project, a community-leadership effort founded in 1963.
History
Manufacturers moved west from the Near West Side around 1900, drawn by the railroads. Commercial streets grew up after the Lake Street elevated line opened in the 1890s. Early residents were mostly Irish and German, followed by Italians and Russian Jews.
Population peaked at 70,091 in 1950. The Congress (Eisenhower) Expressway displaced residents in the southern section during the 1950s. In 1966, groups tied to Martin Luther King Jr.’s Chicago campaign organized against slum housing here, and rioting along Madison Street in 1968 accelerated the loss of businesses and residents.
Landmarks and parks
- Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Avenue, first opened in 1908 and is one of the largest conservatories in the United States.
- Garfield Park, a 182-acre tract originally named Central Park and renamed in 1885.
- Flower Technical High School, which moved to 3545 W. Fulton in 1927.
- Marillac House, a social service center that opened at 2822 W. Jackson in 1947.
Getting there
The CTA Green Line runs along Lake Street with stops at California, Kedzie and Conservatory–Central Park Drive, the closest stop to the conservatory. The Blue Line’s Kedzie–Homan station sits in the median of the Eisenhower Expressway on the south side of the area.
Frequently asked questions
What is East Garfield Park known for?
It is known for the Garfield Park Conservatory and Garfield Park. The conservatory first opened in 1908.
What L train goes to the Garfield Park Conservatory?
Take the Green Line to Conservatory–Central Park Drive. The conservatory’s address is 300 N. Central Park Avenue.
How many people live in East Garfield Park?
CMAP estimates 20,731 residents, based on 2020–2024 American Community Survey data. The area’s population peaked at 70,091 in 1950.
Is East Garfield Park on the West Side or South Side?
It is on the West Side, west of the Near West Side and east of West Garfield Park.
Related guides
- West Garfield Park (#26) community area guide
- Near West Side (#28) community area guide
- North Lawndale (#29) community area guide
- Humboldt Park community area guide
- CTA Green Line guide
- CTA Blue Line guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: East Garfield Park (June 2026 release)
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: East Garfield Park
- Wikipedia: East Garfield Park, Chicago
- Garfield Park Conservatory: About
Last updated: October 31, 2026