Living in Near West side Chicago is an incredible experience that everyone should have the privilege to enjoy. The area is a unique mix of cultures and vibrancy, offering a wide array of attractions and activities that all can enjoy.
The Near West side is a vibrant community with a rich history and a diverse population. It is home to some of Chicago’s oldest neighborhoods, including Pilsen, Little Italy, and University Village. These neighborhoods are full of vibrant street art, colorful murals, and cultural attractions like the National Museum of Mexican Art and just west of the Chicago Cultural Center. The Near Westside is also home to some of Chicago’s best restaurants, bars, and shops. From Italian to Mexican, there are an array of options to choose from.
There are also a variety of live music venues, art galleries, and specialty stores. The area is also home to some of the city’s best parks and playgrounds, making it a great place for families.
In addition to its great attractions, the Near Westside offers access to the Loop, making it easy to get to the heart of downtown Chicago. The area also provides easy access to the rest of the city via public transportation.
With its vibrant culture and diverse attractions, there is something for everyone. The near west side Chicago has been recently popular with young professionals. Whether looking for a relaxing day in the park or a night out in the town, the Near Westside has it all.
Popular Neighborhoods
On the lower west side, Pilsen is a popular neighborhood located on the Near West Side of Chicago. This neighborhood is known for its vibrant Mexican culture, art galleries, and great restaurants. It is also home to the National Museum of Mexican Art, a great place to explore the history and culture of the area.
University Village is a great place to visit in Chicago too. This vibrant area is known for its great restaurants, boutiques, and entertainment venues. The University of Illinois at Chicago campus is also located here, making it a great place for students and visitors.
Fulton Market, Greektown, Little Italy, Pilsen, and University Village are all popular neighborhoods in the Near West Side of Chicago. Fulton River district is the city’s newest and most rapidly growing neighborhood. It is home to various trendy restaurants, shops, galleries, and offices too.
Transportation
Railroads gained popularity among the Near West Side residents in the nineteenth century. The neighborhood saw the development of motorways in the mid-twentieth century, concentrated on the Jane Byrne Interchange. Today, the neighborhood is a convenient transit location, lying adjacent to the Loop at a 3 miles (4.82 km) distance. The Blue, Green, and Pink’ L’ lines and numerous CTA bus routes serve the region.
Things to do in Near West Side
The Near West Side of Chicago is a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood full of activities and entertainment to explore. Whether you’re looking for a night out on the town, a day spent exploring the city, or a leisurely stroll to take in the sights, the Near West Side has something for everyone. Here are just some of the great things to do in the area:
1. Visit the National Museum of Mexican Art: Located in Pilsen, the National Museum of Mexican Art has a large collection of Mexican folk art, including painting, sculpture, photography, and more. The museum also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, such as workshops, lectures, and special exhibitions.
2. Take a stroll along the Riverwalk: The Riverwalk is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. Stroll along the riverfront and take in views of the Chicago skyline, snap a few photos, and maybe even take a boat ride.
3. Explore the Garfield Park Conservatory: Located in the heart of the Near West Side, the Garfield Park Conservatory is a great place to explore the city’s botanical side. The conservatory houses over 200 species of plants and flowers, and it also hosts a variety of events throughout the year.
4. Visit the United Center: Home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, the United Center is a great place to catch a game and experience the city’s sports culture. The United Center also hosts a variety of concerts and other events throughout the year.
5. Check out the West Loop: The West Loop is a trendy area of the Near West Side that is known for its great restaurants, bars, and nightlife. The area is also home to several art galleries, museums, and other cultural attractions. No matter what you’re looking for, the Near West Side of Chicago has something for everyone. From cultural attractions to sports and entertainment, the area has something for everyone to enjoy.
6. Hull House Museum: If you’re looking for things to do in Chicago’s Near West Side, then a visit to the Hull House Museum is a must! This historic house was the home of Jane Addams, the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The Hull House Museum is a great way to learn about the history of the Near West Side in Chicago. Visitors can explore the building, take part in educational programs, and explore the surrounding area.
Map
Chicago and Northwestern Railways Lines bound the Near West Side to the north. The Chicago River’s South Branch defines its east, while the Pennsylvania Railroad lies to its west. 16th Street lies to the neighborhood’s southern boundary. Chicago river Parts the loop and the west side. Roosevelt road, and Taylor street, run through the area.
Near West Side lies in parts of 60606, 60607, 60608, 60610, 60612, and 60661 zip codes.
Population
Near West Side is home to 67,881 people. Around 82.4% of the neighborhood’s population comprises Native Americans, while 17.6% of the people have a foreign background.
In the late 1930s, the Near West Side neighborhood was dominated by people of Irish ancestry. The Germans, Bohemians, Czechs, and French soon replaced the Irish population.
After the Great Chicago Fire, the neighborhood mainly comprised Jews from Russia, Poland, and Italians. Later, African-Americans and Mexicans immigrated in the 1940s. The African American community in Near West Side grew from 26,000 in 1940 to 68,000 in 1960 because of the southerner black population’s “Great Migration.”
Since then, Near West Side has been a culturally diverse Chicago neighborhood. While whites lie on the top of Near West Side’s racial pyramid (43.2%), the African-American community secures second place by occupying 26.7% of the population. Asians are the third most dominant ethnic group in the neighborhood (17.8%), followed by Hispanic and Latinos (9.2%). People from other non-Hispanic races are considered the neighborhood’s minority (3.0%).
Real Estate
Many other downtown areas (such as River North, the West Loop, and Streeterville) are known for their high-end real estate. The neighborhood has 33,918 homes, and the median home value as of November 2022 is $561,000 compared to Chicago’s median value of $408,000.
The neighborhood has a mix of modern construction, sleek condos reminiscent of other downtown areas, and historic structures going back to the late 1800s. The most popular residential sector in the Near West Side neighborhood includes Western Avenue, Ashland Avenue, Ogden Avenue, Jackson Boulevard, and Damen Avenue. However, homebuyers may find some excellent structures on the neighborhood’s quieter streets.
Near West Side is a renter-dominated neighborhood. Most of the neighborhood’s residential real estate (63.9%) is rented, while owners inhabit 36.1% of houses. The locals prefer living in apartments (61.6%) and three to four-unit flats and condos (10.2%). Single-family attached units are another famous housing option for the Near West Side residents (8.3%). Single-family detached houses account for only 4% of the neighborhood’s real estate.
Despite its proximity to the Loop, the Near West Side offers a calmer vibe that suggests it belongs outside of the city’s crowded core. While this Chicago area retains it’s underappreciated position, more and more people are beginning to shift here because of the various amenities it offers. Thus, real estate listing price is also increasing as the demand for its housing increases.
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Schools
Near West Side ranks among the Chicago neighborhoods with the highest literacy rates. Most residents (31.7%) have either a graduate degree or a professional qualification. Almost the same percentage of the population (37.0%) has an undergraduate degree.
The neighborhood’s best literary infrastructure includes the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and Chicago-Kent College of Law. Some excellent schools and colleges serve the Near West Side residents, including private schools charter schools and public schools.
Crime Ratings
The Near West Side neighborhood lies in the Chicago Police Department’s District 012. It isn’t the safest Chicago neighborhood; the crime rates were stable in 2020 and 2021, but they have skyrocketed in the first five months of 2022.
Murder cases increased from 3 in 2021 to 6 in 2022. Robbery incidences increased by 26%, and burglary cases increased by 61%. The local police also lodged 93% more theft and 37% more motor vehicle theft FIRs in 2022 than in 2021. However, criminal sexual assault cases experienced a fall from 29 to 27.
History
Near West Side is the 28th Chicago neighborhood located on the city’s west side. It is one of the several communities surrounding the Loop, Chicago’s central business district. The neighborhood occupies 5.75 square miles (14.89 km2) of Chicago’s total land area.
The Near West Side neighborhood was deeply affected by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. However, it experienced gradual redevelopment after an influx of immigrants. This included the creation of Hull House, a major settlement house. Today, the Near West Side ranks among the affluent Chicago neighborhoods, with a per capita income of $57,167.
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