West Humboldt Park Facts

Location: About 8 miles northwest of the Loop
Boundaries: North Avenue to the north, Pulaski Road to the east, Chicago Avenue to the south and Cicero Avenue to the west
Demographics: For zip code 60651 which includes West Humboldt Park neighborhood
Median Age: 26.6
Median Household Income: $32,622
5.7% of population 25 and older have bachelor's degree or higher
White 11.0%
African American 70.6%
Hispanic or Latino 26.8%
Asian 0.4%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.3%
Other Race 15.9%
Two or more races 1.8%
(Source: US Census 2000)

Crime Statistics: Go to CLEARMap to search specific streets and areas for crime incidents
[Back To Top]

Then and Now

The West Humboldt Park area shares a similar history to that of its larger neighbor, Humboldt Park. Initially settled by Eastern Europeans after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the area has experienced an ebb and flow of different ethnic groups, but as of late the neighborhood is home to primarily Latino and African-American families.

Though the neighborhood has seen some grim years, the arrival of families has turned it into a more reserved and pleasantly congenial place to settle down and raise the kids. And while the emergence of new residents on the scene and continual changes along the neighborhood blocks has brought a focus to West Humboldt Park's present and future, the area is full of memories and hints of its past.

Once a booming industrial district, remnants of that era can still be found along the streets hugging vacant lots, serving as reminders of the neighborhood's tougher times. Thankfully, smaller mom-and-pop shops have taken over, and the main thoroughfares in West Humboldt Park bustle with businesses ranging from restaurants to clothing stores to tire shops to banks. Larger chains are beginning to settle in the area, as well, and we expect a Starbucks will likely pop up in a few years.
[Back To Top]

Real Estate

We have three words for you: brick, brick and more brick. The homes in this neighborhood are primarily small brick houses, lined neatly in a row, with square green lawns and large trees completing the Cleaver-esque look. The porches (nearly every home has one) provide both a display for flower pots and a social gathering spot. Every few blocks you'll find a corner church. Developers are eating this place up, pouncing on the aforementioned vacant lots, which we bet will soon be turned into some form of housing.

West Humboldt Park is even more residential and family-oriented than Humboldt Park proper, its neighbor to the east, and a smattering of parks and all those grass-covered yards provide ample space for kids to play. There's still the occasional two-flat, but most homes here are designed for single families and make for ideal first-time property purchases or starter homes. Do-it-yourself-ers, keep your eyes peeled in this area. In between the perfectly crafted redbrick bungalows you'll be able to find a few lots here and there that need a little work. Who doesn't like a good fixer-upper?

Although the selection is limited in West Humboldt Park, there are some attached multi-unit housing options. The average sales price for a one- or two-bedroom condo is around $145,000, and a three-bedroom place typically sells for about $184,000. Detached single-family dwellings are much more common in this west side Chicago neighborhood. The average sales price for a two- or three-bedroom is $205,000, while something with a bit more space will run you closer to $228,000 on average.

Humboldt Park Residential Real Estate Info (Includes West Humboldt Park Neighborhood)

Source: Multiple Listings Service of Northern Illinois
[Back To Top]

What's on the Menu?

West Humboldt Park's restaurant options, though limited, span the globe. Here's a quick tour of what the dining scene has to offer.

Let's start with one of the most popular spots in the neighborhood& Birrias Huentitan Restaurant (4019 W North Ave, 773- 276-0768) is a Mexican food joint commonly used for carryout, but those who dine in will be rewarded with quick service, a casual atmosphere and free chips. The constant smell of meat cooking is a nice touch, too. Their burritos are often dubbed some of the best in the city, and the prices stay on par with the rest of the neighborhood -- a large rolled burrito is only $2.65. Another favorite Mexican stop in the area is El Taconazo Restaurant (4124 W North Ave, 773-862-7705). Its large, open room is typically filled with families, who finish off the tasty tortas and tacos with El Taconazo's delicious rice water dessert -- we know, it sounds funny, but if those little kids are willing to eat it, it's got to be good!

If your tastebuds are screaming for something Italian, go see Elliot. His little Italian haunt, Elliot's Augusta Pizza & Grill (4400 W Augusta Blvd, 773-227-5175), is the West Humboldt Park place for pizza and pasta. A slice of pizza goes for only $2.50, and the list of daily specials keeps this restaurant fresh and exciting no matter how many times you stop by each week (we admit, we go more than once). Heading across the globe, Little Chinese Restaurant (4326 W Division St, 773-276-5399) fills the neighborhood's need for egg rolls, chop suey and egg foo young, and does it all in a laid-back atmosphere. And like the rest of the area's dining options, you'll pull very few bucks out of your wallet to pay for this meal, no matter how many people you're feeding.

Okay, we've saved the best for last. Chicago residents drive from north, south, east and west to eat at Jimmy's Red Hots (4000 W Grand Ave, 773-384-9513), arguably one of the best hot dog places in the city. Ketchup lovers, you might want to dine elsewhere. The conspicuous "No Ketchup. Don't ask, we don't have any" is telling the absolute truth. They really don't carry it. And if you are true Chicagoan, you would never dare ruin your dog with that stuff anyway. A hot dog, fries and soda will run you around $3, and (this is top secret) you can always score a bootleg DVD here for only a few bucks, if you want to go ahead and make a night of it. Just flag down the salesman who is usually strolling around the restaurant, ask one of the staff if he's not around.
[Back To Top]

Best Shopping Stops

For all of your big-time shopping, you're going to have to jump in that car or pull out the old CTA card to head to outside sources. But for quick little stops, West Humboldt Park has got you covered.

For one thing, bargain hunters will love the shopping in West Humboldt Park. The neighborhood is full of discounts, deals and hidden treasures. If finding a great buy gives you a rush, make Buyer's Flea Market (4545 W. Division St, 773-227-1889) your first stop. Hundreds of dealers set up shop each weekend in Chicago's largest indoor/outdoor market. From produce to clothing to electronics to designer purse knockoffs, Buyer's Flea Market is the epitome of one-stop shopping. And when you're tuckered out from bargain overload, pop into their food court for lunch, dinner, an afternoon snack, or to check out the game on one of their large televisions.

Local accessories lovers will undoubtedly drop by Buy and Fly (4741 W North Ave, 773-394-6000) to peruse their jewelry selection. Buy and Fly carries clothing, too, but West Humboldt Park residents flock to this quaint little shop for the variety of necklace, bangle and earring styles they carry -- and the reasonable prices and super-friendly staff don't hurt either. To find a few outfits to compliment that new beaded choker or shiny bracelet, ladies can head a few blocks down to Top Line Fashion (4013 W North Ave, 773-394-1395) or bust over a few streets to Lucy's Fashions (4545 W Division St, 773-227-5982). Both stores provide stylish women's apparel for gals on a budget. Finish off your hip look with a visit to one of the neighborhood's many shoes stores. We like Izen Shoes (4023 W North Ave, 773-235-9375) and A & R Shoes (4113 W North Ave, 773-235-8557). Izen outfits the feet of West Humboldt Park's men, women and children, and the store is huge. It needs to be, for all the inventory it carries. Whether you need sneakers for your next game of hoops, loafers for the office, or strappy sandals for a night out, Izen's got exactly what you're looking for. As for A & R, they carry everything from boots to flip-flops, all cute women's and children's footwear for super-cheap. The price tags on different designs drop as low as $10 on a rotating basis, so check it out, or miss out on the deal of the century (well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration). Just go take a look.
[Back To Top]

Night on the Town

We're not going to lie, West Humboldt Park isn't nightlife central. But you'll find a few dives, and one dance place, where you can grab a quick drink, or kick it all night long.

As far as dives go, West Humboldt Park watering holes are at the top of our list. Two of our faves are Rio Bravo Tavern (4311 W North Ave, 773-342-9687) and JP's Pub (4755 W North Ave, 773-342-3353). Rio Bravo melts into North Avenue, and is distinguishable only by the large Budweiser sign out front. Otherwise, the windows that are covered in beer signs make this place as dark inside as it looks outside. Hey, some people dig a nice shadow-filled bar, you know? For us, the inexpensive drinks up the appeal and keep this little local hangout on our regular bar-hopping route. Down the street at JP's, a large awning boasts a second name: "Tequila North." They're not lying. West Humboldt Park residents flock here for the cheap tequila, sports-centric television, Old Style and Icehouse beer, and bartenders who know when you want to chat and when to leave you alone.

West Humboldt Park residents who like to dance the night away frequent El Sitio (1255 N. Pulaski Rd, 773-486-8977) to move their hips and enjoy a fun-filled evening of steps with a Latin flair. This Dominican bar and restaurant brings a touch of upscale to the neighborhood (i.e. sparkly tank tops and gelled hair are totally acceptable). The drinks are reasonable, and the dance floor is always en fuego (on fire), so you can shake your groove thing all night long.
[Back To Top]

Mark Your Calendar

West Humboldt Park doesn't need to host its own festivals -- not with festival-heavy Humboldt Park right next door. West Humboldt Park neighbors walk the few blocks for the week-long Puerto Rican Fest in mid-June, the Humboldt Park Art Festival later that month, Fiesta Boriquena (another affair celebrating Puerto Rican culture) in early September, and for the park's wide range of movie and music events, which take place all summer. And the countless number of buses that run through West Humboldt Park ensure residents won't miss a single one of the dozens and dozens of festivals that take place across Chicago all year.
[Back To Top]

Getting Around

Those who love their motorized vehicles will definitely dig West Humboldt Park. The area makes owning a car incredibly easy -- and cheap, too. You don't need to apply for any sort of permits, the parking spaces are readily available, and few restrictions mean you'll never see one of those "No Parking" signs that seem to be posted for no reason at all.

While there isn't an "El" train stop in this west side Chicago neighborhood, a network of buses make certain you'll always get where you need to go. The east/west-running #66 Chicago Avenue bus is a straight shot to downtown shopping, while the #70 Division Street bus follows a parallel route, just slightly north. The #72 North Avenue takes passengers right to the North Avenue beach (so keep that in mind for those sweltering July weekends), and the #65 Grand Avenue swoops you down to Navy Pier in no time at all. If your destination requires north/south travel, there are options aplenty. The #52 Kedzie/California bus runs down a couple different streets, so check the CTA website for exact pickup and drop off locations. Same goes for the #82 Kimball-Homan bus. The #52A Kedzie Avenue route shuttles travelers to the Kedzie Orange Line train stop, making it a great alternative to get to Midway airport. The #53 Pulaski's overnight service is a gift to many Chicagoans, and the #54 Cicero Avenue bus line has a few offshoots, so pay attention: The #54A heads out to Old Orchard mall in Skokie, the #54B carries you to the Ford City mall, and the #X54 runs from super north Jefferson Park to super south Midway. Got all that? Good.
[Back To Top]

School's in Session

The families who reside in West Humboldt Park can either send their school-aged children to any of the neighborhood facilities (listed below) or check out our Chicago Guide Schools page for more information on other Chicago area schools.

Brian Piccolo Specialty School 1040 N Keeler Ave - (773) 534-4425
Nobel Elementary School 4127 W Hirsch St - (773) 534-4365
West Park Academy of Fine Arts & Technology 1425 N Tripp Ave - (773) 534-4940
[Back To Top]

Basic Needs

To make any upcoming moves to the neighborhood as smooth as possible, we give you the scoop on where to go in West Humboldt Park for groceries, toiletries and eateries.

Pharmacies

Walgreens 1360 N Pulaski Rd - (773) 772-5432

Grocery Stores

Mel Bay Grocery Deli 4401 W Cortez St - (773) 235-4801
Ramirez Produce 4343 W Hirsch St - (773) 252-9060

Transit

Chicago Transit Authority (888) 968-7282

SHOPPING

A & R Shoes 4113 W North Ave - (773) 235-8557
Buy & Fly 4741 W North Ave - (773) 394-6000
Buyers Flea Market 4545 W Division St - (773) 227-1889
Izen's Shoes 4023 W North Ave - (773) 235-9375
Lucy's Fashions 4545 W Division St - (773) 227-5982
Neo Sports 4011 W North Ave - (773) 278-5026
Top Line Fashion 4013 W North Ave - (773) 394-1395
Ursin Shoes 4113 W North Ave - (773) 772-0428

DINING

American Cuisine
Dadd's Place 4009 W Division St - (773) 276-0731
Jimmy's Red Hots 4000 W Grand Ave - (773) 384-9513
Papa's Philly Steak 1252 N Pulaski Rd - (773) 227-9977

Asian Cuisine
Little Chinese Restaurant 4326 W Division St - (773) 276-5399

Mexican Cuisine
El Taconazo Restaurant 4124 W North Ave - (773) 862-7705
Lucas Tacos 1555 N Cicero Ave - (773) 252-2747
Taqueria Celaya 1555 N Cicero Ave - (773) 227-2148

Pizza
Elliot's Augusta Pizza & Grill 4400 W Augusta Blvd - (773) 227-5175

Puerto Rican Cuisine
Birrias Huentitan Restaurant 4019 W North Ave - (773) 276-0768

Nightlife/Bars
Bravo Tavern 4311 W North Ave - (773) 342-9687
Ed's Tavern 4400 W Augusta Blvd - (773) 227-5175
El Sitio 1255 N Pulaski Rd - (773) 486-8977
JP's Pub 4755 W North Ave - (773) 342-3353

[Back To Top]

As one of the many diverse Chicago neighborhoods, West Humboldt Park offers homeowners a wide range of residential properties. West Humboldt Park homes include lofts, condos and townhomes, to name a few. In addition to Chicago real estate, you can get detailed neighborhood information from our comprehensive online Chicago neighborhoods guide. With features like dining, shopping, entertainment, and resources, we've done all the leg work already to make your home search that much easier. Now, when a listing in West Humboldt Park Chicago catches your eye, you can read all about the surrounding area and what it has to offer, all without setting foot in the neighborhood. Like a Yellow Pages, Metromix and MLS database all rolled into one, this site is your ultimate Chicago neighborhoods visitors' guidebook.    

[Back To Top]