| North Center | |
| Official Name: | Community Area 05 - North Center |
| Mapsize: | 200px |
| Image Map1: | US-IL-Chicago-CA05.svg |
| Map Caption1: | Location within the city of Chicago |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Illinois |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Cook |
| Subdivision Type3: | City |
| Subdivision Name3: | Chicago |
| Mayor Name1: | Ameya Poar |
| Parts Type: | Neighborhoods |
| Parts Style: | list |
| P1: | Northcenter |
| P2: | Roscoe Village |
| P3: | Horner Park |
| P4: | St. Ben's |
| P5: | Lathrop Homes |
| P6: | Hamlin Park |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Total Km2: | 5.36 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 35,114 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Demographics 2019[1] |
| Demographics1 Title1: | White |
| Demographics1 Info1: | 77.7% |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Black |
| Demographics1 Info2: | 2.1% |
| Demographics1 Title3: | Hispanic |
| Demographics1 Info3: | 11.5% |
| Demographics1 Title4: | Asian |
| Demographics1 Info4: | 4.9% |
| Demographics1 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics1 Info5: | 3.8% |
| Demographics Type2: | Educational Attainment 2019 |
| Demographics2 Title1: | High School Diploma or Higher |
| Demographics2 Info1: | 95.2% |
| Demographics2 Title2: | Bachelor's Degree or Higher |
| Demographics2 Info2: | 75.8% |
| Timezone: | CST |
| Utc Offset: | −6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | −5 |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP Codes |
| Postal Code: | parts of 60613, 60618, 60657 |
| Blank Name: | Median household income 2019 |
| Blank Info: | $125,033 |
| Footnotes: | Source: U.S. Census, Record Information Services |
North Center is one of the 77 community areas of Chicago, Illinois, located in the city's North Side. North Center is bordered on the north by Montrose Avenue, on the south by Diversey Parkway, on the west by the Chicago River and on the east by Ravenswood Avenue; it includes the neighborhoods of North Center, Roscoe Village, St. Ben's, and Hamlin Park. The Brown Line of the Chicago 'L' has stops within the community area at Addison, Irving Park, and Montrose.
The neighborhood known as Northcenter refers to a neighborhood in the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. The boundaries of Northcenter are Addison on the south, Montrose on the north, the Chicago River on the west and Ravenswood (1800 W) on the east.[2] Northcenter has grown since the 1870s when the area was only accessible by the Chicago River and Little Fort Road (now known as Lincoln Avenue). North Center is considered a vibrant neighborhood with an eclectic mix of retailers, restaurants, live music, live theater, and service-oriented businesses. It is also home to some of the best public schools in the City of Chicago. Lane Tech College Prep High School, a top ranked well-rounded and diverse high school in the state; as well as North Park Elementary School, Coonley & Bell Elementary. North Center was voted one of Chicago's best neighborhoods by the Chicago Magazine in 2014.[3]
Northcenter's history is deeply rooted in European cultural influences, from German, Polish, Czech, Romanian, Serbian, Greek, Croatian, French making the majority and that history can be seen in the architectural charm of the homes and buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Also during this time, the Selig Polyscope Company produced some of America's earliest motion pictures and was based in Chicago. Along Byron Street near Oakley Ave and Western Ave, historic production buildings of the company are still standing and being used as residences and retail businesses. The neighborhood continues to grow and become more culturally diverse.The neighborhood includes bowling alleys, three city parks - including an indoor ice arena, a nearby library, a nearby movie theater complex, and Northcenter Town Square. The Northcenter Chamber of Commerce hosts many free family and community events throughout the year.[4] Northcenter Town Square is also home to a Farmer's Market on Saturdays from June to October.
Roscoe Village refers to a neighborhood in the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. While not part of any official city map, Chicago residents perceive the boundaries of the neighborhood to be Addison Street to the north, Belmont Avenue to the south, Ravenswood Avenue to the east and the Chicago River to the west.[5] The primary feature of Roscoe Village is Roscoe Street, which bisects the neighborhood's boundaries between Addison Street and Belmont Avenue. Roscoe Street is populated by businesses and residents. Local historian and longtime neighborhood resident Chuck Betzold notes that people have been living in Roscoe Village since the 18th century, when the area was inhabited by the Fox Indians. Today the area is home to over 6,200 residents.[6]
From 1904 to 1967, Roscoe Village was home to the "largest amusement park in the world", Riverview Park, a 76acres amusement park[7] stretching from Belmont Avenue to Lane Tech High School, and from Western Ave. to the Chicago River. Today, the Area 3 Police Headquarters, DePaul College Prep, and Riverview Plaza Center now stand on the space.[8]
St. Ben's is an unofficial neighborhood with boundaries at Irving Park Road on the north, Addison Street on the south, Damen Avenue on the east, and Western Ave. on the west. It is named for Saint Benedict's Parish, with its Roman Catholic school, on Leavitt Street.[9]
The Hamlin Park neighborhood is bounded by Belmont Avenue on the north, Ravenswood Avenue on the east, the Diversey Parkway on the south and the North Branch of the Chicago River on the west. It has its namesake park in the center of the neighborhood. This neighborhood also has the northern half of the Julia C. Lathrop Homes, a CHA housing project.
North Center has reliably supported the Democratic Party in recent years.