New City is Chicago community area #61, on the Southwest Side between Pershing Road and Garfield Boulevard. It contains Back of the Yards and Canaryville and was the site of the Union Stock Yards, which ran from 1865 to 1971. About 40,000 people live there.
New City key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Community area number | #61 of 77 |
| Side of the city | Southwest Side |
| Population | 40,065 (2020–2024 American Community Survey five-year estimate, CMAP Community Data Snapshot, June 2026 release) |
| Neighborhoods within | Back of the Yards, Canaryville |
| Main L and Metra stations | No L or Metra station inside per our sources; CTA buses |
| Major parks | Sherman Park (1301 W. 52nd St., about 58 acres) |
Boundaries
Pershing Road is the north edge and Garfield Boulevard the south edge. Western Avenue and CSX tracks form the west edge, and Norfolk Southern tracks form the east edge.
Neighborhoods within New City
Back of the Yards, west of the old stockyards, is the larger section. Canaryville, in the east, borders Bridgeport.
History
- 1865: the Union Stock Yards open.
- 1889: Chicago annexes the area from the town of Lake.
- 1906: Upton Sinclair’s novel The Jungle portrays life in the neighborhood.
- 1934: the International Amphitheatre opens; it is torn down in 1999.
- 1939: Saul Alinsky and Joseph Meegan organize the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, an early model for community organizing.
- 1971: the Union Stock Yards close.
Landmarks and parks
- Sherman Park, 1301 W. 52nd St., designed by the Olmsted Brothers and D.H. Burnham and Co. and opened in 1905. It is named for stockyards founder John B. Sherman.
- The site of the Union Stock Yards.
- The Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council.
Getting there
Our sources list no L or Metra station inside New City. Most trips are by CTA bus or car along Western Avenue, Pershing Road and Garfield Boulevard.
Orange Line stations in McKinley Park and Brighton Park are to the north.
Frequently asked questions
What community area number is New City?
New City is community area #61.
Is Back of the Yards a community area?
No. Back of the Yards is a neighborhood within the New City community area, along with Canaryville.
Where were the Union Stock Yards?
In New City, where they operated from 1865 until 1971.
What is Sherman Park?
A park of about 58 acres at 1301 W. 52nd St., opened in 1905 and designed by the Olmsted Brothers with D.H. Burnham and Co.
Related guides
- Bridgeport community area guide
- McKinley Park community area guide
- Brighton Park community area guide
- Gage Park community area guide
- Englewood community area guide
- West Englewood community area guide
- Fuller Park community area guide
- CTA bus guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: New City (June 2026)
- Wikipedia: New City, Chicago
- Chicago Park District: Sherman Park
Last updated: October 31, 2026