Roseland is Chicago community area #49, on the Far South Side. Dutch immigrants settled it in the 1840s, it grew alongside the neighboring Pullman factory town, and today it includes Chicago State University and the Red Line’s 95th/Dan Ryan terminal. CMAP estimates its population at 36,635 (2020–2024 ACS).
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 49 |
| Side of the city | Far South Side |
| Population (2020–2024 ACS estimate, CMAP) | 36,635 |
| Neighborhoods within | Roseland, Fernwood, Lilydale, Princeton Park, Rosemoor, Sheldon Heights, West Roseland, part of West Chesterfield |
| Main L and Metra stations | Red Line: 95th/Dan Ryan; Metra Electric: 95th, 103rd, 107th, 111th, 115th |
| Major parks | Fernwood Parkway |
Boundaries
Roseland lies on the Far South Side, with the Metra Electric main line forming its eastern border with Pullman. Fernwood reaches west to Halsted Street, and Chicago State University occupies the northeast corner at 95th Street.
Neighborhoods within Roseland
- Fernwood, roughly 99th to 103rd streets on the western edge.
- Lilydale and Princeton Park, in the northwest corner, developed in the 1940s.
- Rosemoor, Sheldon Heights and West Roseland.
- The southern part of West Chesterfield.
History
Dutch settlers called the area “de Hooge Prairie” (High Prairie). James H. Bowen suggested the Roseland name in 1873, and in 1880 his company sold more than 4,000 acres on the eastern edge to the Pullman Land Association. Roseland was annexed to Chicago in the 1890s.
Pullman workers bought and rented homes here, and Michigan Avenue became a regional shopping street. A violent three-day mob action against Black veterans’ housing in Fernwood broke out in 1947. The area’s racial makeup changed sharply between 1965 and 1975, and the Pullman car plant closed in 1981.
Landmarks and parks
- Chicago State University, at 95th Street and King Drive.
- Fernwood Parkway, a landscaped strip along Eggleston Avenue from 95th to 103rd streets.
- The Michigan Avenue commercial district.
- The 1988 Roseland Pullman mural, “I Welcome Myself to a New Place.”
Getting there
The Red Line ends at 95th/Dan Ryan. The CTA’s Red Line Extension plans new stations at 103rd and 111th streets, with construction estimated (in the latest published plans) to start in 2026 and finish in 2030. Metra Electric stations at 95th, 103rd, 107th, 111th and 115th run along the eastern edge.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Red Line end on the South Side?
At 95th/Dan Ryan in Roseland. A planned extension would continue south.
Who first settled Roseland?
Dutch immigrants in the 1840s, who called it “de Hooge Prairie.”
Is Chicago State University in Roseland?
Yes. Its main campus is at 95th Street and King Drive in northeast Roseland.
How many people live in Roseland?
CMAP estimates 36,635 residents (2020–2024 ACS).
Related guides
- Pullman (#50) community area guide
- West Pullman (#53) community area guide
- Chatham (#44) community area guide
- Burnside (#47) community area guide
- Washington Heights community area guide
- CTA Red Line guide
- Metra guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: Roseland (June 2026 release)
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: Roseland
- Wikipedia: Roseland, Chicago
Last updated: October 31, 2026