Bucktown
The 606, Single-family homes, Boutiques
MEDIAN: $705,000
Get to know Bucktown
Bucktown is one of Chicago's most livable neighborhoods: quiet, tree-lined residential streets just steps from boutiques, patios and the 606 trail. It sits northwest of downtown, roughly between Fullerton Avenue and the 606, from Western Avenue to the Kennedy Expressway, with Wicker Park just to the south.
People move here for a true neighborhood feel close to everything. Residents describe Bucktown as walkable and "neighborhoody" while sitting about three miles from downtown, with Logan Square, Wicker Park and Lincoln Park all within easy reach.
The name comes from the goats, or bucks, that Polish settlers once raised here. After the Great Chicago Fire, working families built cottages and churches; later, artists and musicians moved in. Today their vintage homes and corner taverns share the blocks with newer houses and modern restaurants.
Why People Love Bucktown
Residents describe Bucktown as a neighborhood that feels tucked away from the city's hustle while sitting right in the middle of it.
The 606 is the neighborhood's backyard. The elevated trail along Bucktown's southern edge is a daily route for running, walking and biking to Logan Square, Humboldt Park and Wicker Park.
Parks are everywhere. Holstein Park, one of the city's older parks, anchors the west side with a free outdoor pool and a historic fieldhouse, and several dog parks keep four-legged residents busy.
The streets are beautiful. Residents point to quiet, tree-lined blocks of well-kept homes and some of the most attractive architecture on the Northwest Side.
Food and shopping are close. Damen Avenue is lined with boutiques and cafes, and Bucktown's restaurants range from a Michelin-recognized wine bar to a 1920s ice cream parlor.
Getting around is easy. The Blue Line stops at Damen and Western, the Clybourn Metra station is nearby, buses run on Damen, Milwaukee, North, Armitage and Fullerton, and the Kennedy Expressway runs along the east side.
Neighbors make it a community. The volunteer-run Bucktown Arts Fest, a neighborhood garden walk and a fall apple pie contest keep the calendar full.
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What to do in Bucktown
In Bucktown, a good day starts on the 606 and ends at a neighborhood tavern.
Start with a run or walk on the 606, then grab a cortado at Ipsento 606, right off the trail. In summer, cool off at the free Holstein Park pool or let the dog loose at a nearby dog park.
Afternoons are for Damen Avenue. Browse the boutiques, pick up children's gifts at The Red Balloon, dig through records at Torn Light, or explore curiosities at Sideshow Gallery. Then stop at Margie's Candies, a retro ice cream parlor that's been scooping since 1921.
Evenings range from casual to special. Have a glass at Pompette, a cozy wine bar in the Michelin guide, sit down for Costa Rican food at Irazu or mole at Manchamanteles, or settle in at a Paris-style table at Le Bouchon. Lottie's Pub and the Map Room are classic neighborhood bars.
In late August, the free, volunteer-run Bucktown Arts Fest fills Holstein Park with artists, music and local food, with proceeds supporting arts education in the neighborhood.
Housing Types & Architecture
Bucktown is one of the few close-in neighborhoods where single-family homes are common: vintage cottages and newer houses share blocks with two-flats, greystones and condos.
The oldest homes are workers cottages and brick and frame flats built after the Great Chicago Fire for working families. Many have been renovated or expanded, and some two-flats have been converted into roomy single-family homes.
Newer single-family homes fill in throughout the neighborhood, often with rooftop decks, attached garages and open layouts. Residents note that this mix of single-family homes is a big part of Bucktown's settled, residential feel.
Condos are common too, in vintage two- and three-flats, in loft conversions of old industrial buildings and in newer buildings along Damen, North and Milwaukee avenues.
The quick read: a strong fit if you want a single-family home, a vintage flat or a condo on a quiet, walkable street near the 606. A harder search if you want a high-rise with views, easy weekend parking near Damen or a train ride with room to spare at rush hour.
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Former Schlitz-Tied Brew House, Armitage Avenue and Damen Avenue, Bucktown, Chicago, IL
Hermitage Avenue, Bucktown, Chicago, IL
Dome, St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, Hermitage Avenue and Cortland Street, Bucktown, Chicago, IL
Kamka Building, Webster Avenue, Bucktown, Chicago, IL
Richard Nickel Studio (Crimm’s Building), Cortland Street, Bucktown, Chicago, IL
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Current selling trends, median income, recent sale prices, commute times, and walkability.
What People Are Saying
Here's how people who live in Bucktown describe it, summarized from public resident reviews:
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