Near North Side, Chicago: Community Area #8 Guide

The Near North Side is Community Area #8, the part of central Chicago just north of the Chicago River and the Loop. It contains the Magnificent Mile, Streeterville, River North, the Gold Coast and Navy Pier. The 2020 Census counted 105,481 residents, making it Chicago’s most populous community area.

Fact	Detail
Community area number	8
Side of the city	Central
Population (2020 Census)	105,481 (most populous community area in 2020)
Neighborhoods within	River North, Streeterville, Gold Coast, Old Town, Magnificent Mile, Goose Island, Cabrini-Green
Main L and Metra stations	Red Line: Clark/Division, Chicago, Grand, North/Clybourn; Brown and Purple lines: Sedgwick, Chicago, Merchandise Mart
Major parks and open space	Washington Square Park, Water Tower Park, Montgomery Ward Park, the beach across from the Drake Hotel

Where the Near North Side is and its boundaries

The Near North Side is part of Chicago’s central area. It lies north of the main stem of the Chicago River, east of the North Branch and south of North Avenue.

Lake Michigan forms its eastern edge. North Avenue, the city’s northern limit in the early 19th century, marks the north.

Neighborhoods within the Near North Side

River North sits between Michigan Avenue and the river, south of Chicago Avenue. Streeterville runs east of Michigan Avenue to the lake, and the Gold Coast runs north from Chicago Avenue to North Avenue east of Clark Street.

Old Town, Goose Island and the former Cabrini-Green area fill out the western and northern parts. The Magnificent Mile is the stretch of Michigan Avenue between the river and Oak Street.

A short history

Jean Baptiste Point du Sable built the first known permanent settlement near today’s Michigan Avenue Bridge in the 1780s; Pioneer Court marks the site.
The North Branch Canal, dug in 1853, created Goose Island.
Potter Palmer built his lakefront mansion in 1885, drawing wealthy families to what became the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast Historic District joined the National Register on January 30, 1978.
Cabrini-Green public housing opened in stages from 1942; its last tower came down in 2011.

Landmarks and parks

Navy Pier
Chicago Water Tower and Water Tower Place
John Hancock Center, Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, Marina City and the Merchandise Mart
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Holy Name Cathedral
The Second City comedy theater in Old Town

Getting there

The Red Line runs under State Street with stops at Grand, Chicago, Clark/Division and North/Clybourn. The Brown and Purple lines stop at Merchandise Mart, Chicago and Sedgwick.

The area sits directly across the Chicago River from the Loop, and many CTA bus routes serve it.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Magnificent Mile in the Loop?

No. The Magnificent Mile is on the Near North Side, just north of the river from the Loop.

What is the most populous community area in Chicago?

The Near North Side, with 105,481 residents in the 2020 Census, ahead of Lake View.

Which neighborhoods are in the Near North Side?

River North, Streeterville, the Gold Coast, Old Town, Goose Island and the former Cabrini-Green area, among others.