West Town is Community Area #24 on Chicago’s West Side, just northwest of the Loop across the Chicago River. It contains Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, East Village, Noble Square and River West, and the Blue Line runs through it. The 2020 Census counted 87,781 residents.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 24 |
| Side of the city | West Side |
| Population (2020 Census) | 87,781 |
| Neighborhoods within | Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, East Village, Noble Square, River West, Smith Park, East Humboldt Park |
| Main L and Metra stations | Blue Line: Grand, Chicago, Division, Damen |
| Major parks and open space | Wicker Park, Pulaski Park, Smith Park |
Where West Town is and its boundaries
West Town lies on the West Side, northwest of the Loop.
Bloomingdale Avenue and The 606 form its northern edge and the Union Pacific railroad tracks its southern edge. The Chicago River is the eastern edge, and an irregular western edge runs along Humboldt Park.
Neighborhoods within West Town
West Town is an umbrella for several well-known neighborhoods: Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, East Village, Noble Square, River West, Smith Park and East Humboldt Park.
The Polish Triangle at Division, Milwaukee and Ashland was the heart of Chicago’s old Polish Downtown.
A short history
- In 1870, Charles and Joel Wicker laid out a subdivision around a 4-acre park along Milwaukee Avenue.
- The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 pushed development west into the area.
- An elevated line along Paulina Street opened in 1895 and spurred settlement in Ukrainian Village.
- West Town was Chicago’s most populous community area until the Near West Side passed it in the 1960s.
- Much of Wicker Park became a Chicago Landmark District in 1991, and Ukrainian Village followed on December 4, 2002.
Landmarks and parks
- Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, designed by Louis Sullivan
- St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral and Ss. Volodymyr and Olha Church
- St. Stanislaus Kostka and St. John Cantius churches
- Wicker Park (the park)
- Pulaski Park and fieldhouse, designed by Jens Jensen, a Chicago Landmark since 2003
Getting there
The Blue Line stops at Grand, Chicago, Division and Damen. Damen is the main stop for Wicker Park.
CTA buses also serve the area’s main streets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wicker Park its own community area?
No. Wicker Park is a neighborhood within the West Town community area, #24.
What neighborhoods are in West Town?
Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, East Village, Noble Square, River West, Smith Park and East Humboldt Park.
Which L stop is best for Wicker Park?
Damen on the Blue Line.
Is West Town on the West Side?
Yes, it is grouped with the West Side, just northwest of downtown.
Related guides
- Best of Wicker Park
- Best of Ukrainian Village
- Logan Square (Community Area #22)
- Humboldt Park (Community Area #23)
- Near North Side (Community Area #8)
- Near West Side (Community Area #28)
- East Garfield Park (Community Area #27)
- Lincoln Park (Community Area #7)
- Chicago’s 77 community areas, explained
- Chicago neighborhoods hub
- Blue Line guide
Sources
Last updated: October 31, 2026