West Elsdon is Chicago community area #62, a Southwest Side bungalow area about 8 miles from the Loop, just east of Midway Airport. It grew mainly between the 1920s and 1960, and new shops followed the Orange Line’s opening in 1993. About 17,900 people live there.
West Elsdon key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Community area number | #62 of 77 |
| Side of the city | Southwest Side |
| Population | 17,901 (2020–2024 American Community Survey five-year estimate, CMAP Community Data Snapshot, June 2026 release) |
| Neighborhoods within | West Elsdon |
| Main L and Metra stations | CTA Orange Line: Pulaski and Midway stations nearby |
| Major parks | Pasteur Park (4556 W. 56th St.) |
Location and boundaries
West Elsdon sits about 8 miles southwest of the Loop. The Grand Trunk Railroad tracks have marked its eastern edge since about 1880.
Midway Airport lies just to the west, and West Lawn, its twin neighborhood, is to the south. Pulaski Road and 55th Street are its main streets.
Neighborhoods within West Elsdon
The community area is a single neighborhood called West Elsdon, an extension of the Southwest Side Bungalow Belt of single-family brick homes.
History
- 1889: the area becomes part of Chicago with the annexation of the town of Lake.
- 1920–1930: the population rises from 855 to 2,861 as Polish and Czech families arrive.
- 1927: Midway Airport opens nearby, and St. Turibius parish is founded.
- 1940–1960: the population grows from 3,255 to a peak of 14,215.
- 1946: the Airport Homes riots take place nearby.
- 1993: the Orange Line opens, and its Pulaski station spurs new retail.
Landmarks and parks
- St. Turibius Catholic Church.
- The former Lourdes High School, now Sor Juana Elementary School.
- Pasteur Park, a small Chicago Park District park at 4556 W. 56th St.
- The West Elsdon Civic Association.
Getting there
The Orange Line runs between Midway and the Loop. Its Pulaski station, at Pulaski Road and 51st Street, serves the area, and the Midway station also serves many West Elsdon residents.
Frequently asked questions
What community area number is West Elsdon?
West Elsdon is community area #62.
Is West Elsdon near Midway Airport?
Yes. Midway Airport lies just west of the area.
Which L stations serve West Elsdon?
The Orange Line’s Pulaski and Midway stations both serve the area.
Related guides
- Archer Heights community area guide
- Gage Park community area guide
- West Lawn community area guide
- Garfield Ridge community area guide
- CTA Orange Line guide
- O’Hare and Midway airports guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: West Elsdon (June 2026)
- Wikipedia: West Elsdon, Chicago
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: West Elsdon
- Chicago Park District: Pasteur Park
- Wikipedia: Midway station (CTA)
Last updated: October 31, 2026