West Ridge is Community Area #2 on Chicago’s Far North Side, just west of Rogers Park, and is often called West Rogers Park. It is known for Devon Avenue’s South Asian shops and restaurants and for one of the Midwest’s largest Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish communities. The 2020 Census counted 77,122 residents.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 2 |
| Side of the city | Far North Side |
| Population (2020 Census) | 77,122 |
| Neighborhoods within | West Rogers Park, Arcadia Terrace, Peterson Park, Nortown, East Ridge, Rosehill (cemetery) |
| Main L and Metra stations | No L stations; Metra: Peterson/Ridge station |
| Major parks and open space | Warren Park, Rosehill Cemetery |
Where West Ridge is and its boundaries
West Ridge lies on the Far North Side between Rogers Park to the east and the North Shore Channel to the west.
Howard Street forms its northern edge. The eastern edge runs along Ridge Boulevard, Western Avenue and Ravenswood Avenue. Bryn Mawr and Peterson avenues mark the south, and Kedzie Avenue and the North Shore Channel mark the west.
Neighborhoods within West Ridge
Most locals use West Ridge and West Rogers Park interchangeably. Named pockets include Arcadia Terrace, Peterson Park, Nortown and East Ridge.
Devon Avenue is the main commercial street. A stretch of it carries the honorary name Golda Meir Boulevard, and other sections are lined with Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi businesses.
A short history
- The area was historically called North Town and was once joined with Rogers Park.
- It broke off as its own village in 1890 after a park-district dispute known as the Cabbage War.
- Chicago annexed West Ridge on April 4, 1893, together with Rogers Park.
- Population grew 33 percent in the 1950s, from 47,930 to 63,884.
- The Jewish community grew from the 1930s and peaked in the early 1960s at about 47,000 residents.
Landmarks and parks
- Devon Avenue’s South Asian and Jewish shopping districts
- Rogers Park Manor Bungalow Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005
- Talman West Ridge Bungalow Historic District
- Rosehill Cemetery, which extends into the area
- Warren Park
Getting there
West Ridge has no L station. CTA buses serve its main streets.
Metra’s Peterson/Ridge station serves the area, and the Red Line runs through neighboring Rogers Park to the east.
Frequently asked questions
Is West Ridge the same as West Rogers Park?
Yes, for most purposes. West Ridge is the official community area name, and West Rogers Park is the name many residents use.
What is West Ridge known for?
Devon Avenue, with its South Asian restaurants and shops, and a large Orthodox Jewish community with synagogues and kosher businesses.
When did West Ridge become part of Chicago?
Chicago annexed it on April 4, 1893, the same day as Rogers Park.
Is there an L stop in West Ridge?
No. The area relies on CTA buses and Metra’s Peterson/Ridge station.
Related guides
- Rogers Park (Community Area #1)
- Edgewater (Community Area #77)
- Lincoln Square (Community Area #4)
- North Park (Community Area #13)
- Chicago’s 77 community areas, explained
- Chicago neighborhoods hub
- Metra guide
Sources
- Wikipedia: West Ridge, Chicago
- Dominican University Government Data: Chicago community areas by side
Last updated: October 31, 2026