Woodlawn is Chicago community area #42, on the South Side lakefront about 7 miles southeast of the Loop, just south of the Midway Plaisance and the University of Chicago. Much of Jackson Park lies within it, including the site of the Obama Presidential Center. CMAP estimates its population at 23,801 (2020–2024 ACS).
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 42 |
| Side of the city | South Side |
| Population (2020–2024 ACS estimate, CMAP) | 23,801 |
| Neighborhoods within | Woodlawn (East Woodlawn), West Woodlawn, Park Manor (part) |
| Main L stations | Green Line: King Drive, Cottage Grove (terminal) |
| Major parks | Jackson Park, Midway Plaisance (north edge), 63rd Street Beach |
Boundaries
Woodlawn runs from 60th Street on the north to 67th Street on the south, between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Lake Michigan. A small section extends south of 67th Street between Cottage Grove and South Chicago avenues.
Neighborhoods within Woodlawn
- East Woodlawn, east of Cottage Grove Avenue.
- West Woodlawn, a trapezoid-shaped subdivision in the southwest part.
- Park Manor (part).
History
Dutch farmers were among the first residents in the 1850s. The Illinois Central opened a station at 63rd Street in 1862, and Chicago annexed Woodlawn with Hyde Park Township in 1889. Betting was outlawed in 1905, and apartments replaced the Washington Park racetrack.
Population peaked at 81,279 in 1960. The Woodlawn Organization formed in 1961 as a coalition of churches and community groups, with Rev. Arthur M. Brazier as its first spokesperson. Arson destroyed hundreds of abandoned buildings between 1968 and 1971, and community leaders worked to bring back investment in the 1990s.
Landmarks and parks
- Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, scheduled to open to the public on June 19, 2026.
- Jackson Park, which covers a large part of Woodlawn.
- Oak Woods Cemetery, established in 1853 on the area’s edge.
- The Strand Hotel and the Washington Park National Bank Building.
- 63rd Street Beach.
Getting there
The Green Line’s Cottage Grove branch ends at Cottage Grove, with a stop at King Drive. The University of Chicago campus is just north across the Midway.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn?
Yes. It is in Jackson Park within Woodlawn, and was scheduled to open to the public on June 19, 2026.
What are Woodlawn’s boundaries?
60th Street, 67th Street, King Drive and Lake Michigan, plus a small area south of 67th Street.
What L stops serve Woodlawn?
The Green Line’s King Drive and Cottage Grove stations.
What was The Woodlawn Organization?
A coalition of local churches and community groups formed in 1961, led early on by Rev. Arthur M. Brazier.
Related guides
- Best of Hyde Park
- Hyde Park (#41) community area guide
- Washington Park (#40) community area guide
- South Shore (#43) community area guide
- Greater Grand Crossing community area guide
- CTA Green Line guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: Woodlawn (June 2026 release)
- Encyclopedia of Chicago: Woodlawn
- Wikipedia: Woodlawn, Chicago
- ABC7 Chicago: Obama Presidential Center opening date
- Wikipedia: List of Chicago “L” stations
Last updated: October 31, 2026