Lincoln Square is Community Area #4 on Chicago’s Far North Side, west of Uptown along the Brown Line. It is known for its German heritage, the pedestrian-friendly square at Lincoln, Lawrence and Western avenues, and the Old Town School of Folk Music. The 2020 Census counted 40,494 residents.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 4 |
| Side of the city | Far North Side |
| Population (2020 Census) | 40,494 |
| Neighborhoods within | Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Ravenswood Gardens, Bowmanville, Budlong Woods |
| Main L and Metra stations | Brown Line: Western, Rockwell, Damen |
| Major parks and open space | Winnemac Park, Welles Park, River Park, Gross Park, Jacob Park; Rosehill Cemetery |
Where Lincoln Square is and its boundaries
Lincoln Square sits between Uptown to the east and the Chicago River to the west on the Far North Side.
Bryn Mawr and Peterson avenues form the northern edge, Montrose Avenue the southern edge, Ravenswood Avenue the eastern edge and the Chicago River the western edge.
Neighborhoods within Lincoln Square
The area includes the Lincoln Square neighborhood around its namesake plaza, plus Ravenswood, Ravenswood Gardens, Bowmanville and Budlong Woods.
The commercial core sits where Lawrence, Western and Lincoln avenues meet.
A short history
- English and German American settlers began farming the area in the 1840s.
- Brothers Lyman and Joseph Budlong started a pickle operation near Lincoln and Berwyn in 1857, then grew flowers for the new Rosehill Cemetery.
- The City Council named the area Lincoln Square in 1925, after Abraham Lincoln.
- The Lincoln statue in the square was put up in 1956.
- The German-language weekly Amerika Woche was founded here in 1972.
Landmarks and parks
- The square itself, with the Lincoln statue, the Lombard Lamp and the Giddings Square fountain
- Old Town School of Folk Music
- DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
- Conrad Sulzer Regional Library
- A Berlin Wall monument installed in 2008
- Winnemac Park (more than 40 acres) and Welles Park
Getting there
The Brown Line runs through Lincoln Square, with Western the stop closest to the square. Rockwell and Damen also serve the area.
CTA buses also serve the area’s main streets.
Frequently asked questions
What community area number is Lincoln Square?
Lincoln Square is Community Area #4.
Why is it called Lincoln Square?
The Chicago City Council gave the area the name in 1925 to honor Abraham Lincoln; a Lincoln statue followed in 1956.
What L line goes to Lincoln Square?
The Brown Line. Get off at Western for the square.
Is Ravenswood part of Lincoln Square?
Yes. Ravenswood and Ravenswood Gardens are neighborhoods inside the Lincoln Square community area.
Related guides
- Best of Lincoln Square
- West Ridge (Community Area #2)
- Edgewater (Community Area #77)
- Uptown (Community Area #3)
- North Center (Community Area #5)
- Albany Park (Community Area #14)
- Chicago’s 77 community areas, explained
- Chicago neighborhoods hub
- Brown Line guide
Sources
- Wikipedia: Lincoln Square, Chicago
- Dominican University Government Data: Chicago community areas by side
Last updated: October 31, 2026