Kenwood is Chicago community area #39, on the South Side lakefront about 5 miles southeast of the Loop, between 43rd and 51st streets. It is known for some of the city’s largest single-family homes and for residents including Barack and Michelle Obama and Muhammad Ali. CMAP estimates its population at 18,417 (2020–2024 ACS).
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 39 |
| Side of the city | South Side |
| Population (2020–2024 ACS estimate, CMAP) | 18,417 |
| Neighborhoods within | Kenwood, North Kenwood, Indian Village, East Hyde Park (part) |
| Main L and Metra stations | No L stations; Metra Electric stops nearby at 51st/53rd St./Hyde Park |
| Major parks | Lake Michigan lakefront on the east edge |
Boundaries
Kenwood runs from 43rd Street to 51st Street, between Cottage Grove Avenue and Lake Michigan. Hyde Park begins at its southern edge.
Neighborhoods within Kenwood
- North Kenwood, north of 47th Street, a Chicago Landmark district.
- Kenwood (south of 47th Street), often grouped with Hyde Park as “Hyde Park–Kenwood.”
- Indian Village, with the Powhatan and Narragansett apartments.
History
Dr. John A. Kennicott built the first house near the Illinois Central tracks at 48th Street in the 1850s and named it after his family’s land in Scotland. An 1874 publication called Kenwood “the Lake Forest of the south.” The area was annexed to Chicago with Hyde Park Township in 1889.
The L reached Kenwood in 1907. Population hit 26,942 in 1930, and the Hyde Park–Kenwood Community Conference formed in the late 1940s to keep the area stable and integrated. The Kenwood District was designated a historic district in 1979.
Landmarks and parks
- Kenwood and North Kenwood Chicago Landmark districts.
- KAM Isaiah Israel synagogue.
- Powhatan Apartments (Chicago Landmark) and the 1902 Blackstone Library.
- Hyde Park Art Center and the Rainbow/PUSH headquarters.
- Past residents include Julius Rosenwald, Gustavus Swift and Muhammad Ali.
Getting there
Kenwood has no L station. The Metra Electric stop at 51st/53rd St./Hyde Park, on its southern edge, is the closest rail link to the Loop; Green Line stations at 47th and 51st are to the west.
Frequently asked questions
Did Barack Obama live in Kenwood?
Yes. Barack and Michelle Obama are listed among Kenwood’s residents.
What are Kenwood’s boundaries?
43rd Street, 51st Street, Cottage Grove Avenue and Lake Michigan.
How did Kenwood get its name?
Dr. John A. Kennicott named his 1850s home after his ancestral land in Scotland.
Is Kenwood part of Hyde Park?
No. Kenwood (#39) and Hyde Park (#41) are separate community areas, though the southern half of Kenwood is often called Hyde Park–Kenwood.
Related guides
- Best of Hyde Park
- Oakland (#36) community area guide
- Grand Boulevard (#38) community area guide
- Washington Park (#40) community area guide
- Hyde Park (#41) community area guide
- Metra guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: Kenwood (June 2026 release)
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: Kenwood
- Wikipedia: Kenwood, Chicago
- Wikipedia: Hyde Park, Chicago
Last updated: October 31, 2026