Near West Side, Chicago

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Near West Side
Community area
Community Area 28 - Near West Side
Fulton Market, West Loop
Location within the city of Chicago
Coordinates: 41°52′48″N 87°40′00″W / 41.88000°N 87.66667°W / 41.88000; -87.66667[1]
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Cook
City	Chicago
Area
• Total	5.75 sq mi (14.89 km2)
Elevation [1]	594 ft (181 m)
Population  (2020)[2]
• Total	67,881
• Density	12,000/sq mi (4,600/km2)
Demographics 2020[2]
• White	43.6%
• Black	24.2%
• Hispanic	10.0%
• Asian	18.5%
• Other	3.7%
Educational Attainment 2020[2]
• High School Diploma or Higher	93.9%
• Bachelor's Degree or Higher	69.6%
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes	parts of 60606, 60607, 60608, 60610, 60612 and 60661
Median household income (2020)[2]	$93,202
Source: U.S. Census, Record Information Services

The Near West Side, one of the 77 community areas of Chicago, is on the West Side, west of the Chicago River and adjacent to the Loop. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 started on the Near West Side. Waves of immigration shaped the history of the Near West Side of Chicago, including the founding of Hull House, a prominent settlement house.^[3] In the 19th century railroads became prominent features. In the mid-20th century, the area saw the development of freeways centered in the Jane Byrne Interchange.

The area is home to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago-Kent College of Law, and City Colleges' Malcolm X College. The United Center arena, the Illinois Medical District, Union Station, Ogilvie Station, and the Jane Byrne Interchange are also located in the community area.