civicscout / chicago / chatham

Chatham
Neighborhood Intelligence

Explore building permits, zoning, and civic data in one of Chicago's historically middle-class South Side communities.

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31,028
Population
$40,684
Median Income
$158,500
Median Home Value
14,273
Housing Units
44
Community Area
Based on 2023 ACS data
About Chatham

Chatham is a community area on Chicago's South Side, bounded by 79th Street to the north, 87th Street to the south, Cottage Grove Avenue to the east, and the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) and State Street to the west. The neighborhood has historically been one of the most stable middle-class African American communities in Chicago, known for its well-maintained bungalows, strong civic institutions, and commercial corridors.

Chatham's housing stock is predominantly Chicago-style bungalows and brick two-flats, many lovingly maintained by longtime homeowners. The 79th Street commercial corridor is one of the busiest on the South Side. The neighborhood is home to the Chatham-Avalon Park Community Council, one of the city's oldest community organizations. The Metra Rock Island District line provides commuter rail access through the area.

Boundaries
  • N 79th Street
  • S 87th Street
  • E Cottage Grove Avenue
  • W Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) / State Street
Transit
  • Metra Rock Island District — 79th St., 83rd St., 87th St.
  • CTA Bus — #79 79th, #83 83rd, #87 87th
Landmarks
  • 79th Street commercial corridor
  • Chatham Park
  • Nat King Cole house (historic)
  • Chatham Avalon Park Community Council
What CivicScout Tracks in Chatham
BLD
Building Permits

Chatham generates steady permit activity focused on residential renovation and maintenance of its bungalow housing stock. Permits for roofing, porch repairs, and interior remodeling are common.

SAF
Safety & Crime Data

CivicScout tracks 311 reports, police incidents, and other public safety data across Chatham. The neighborhood generates 311 requests related to tree maintenance, alley repair, and street lighting.

ZON
Zoning Intelligence

Chatham is predominantly zoned for residential use (RS-2, RS-3) with commercial corridors along 79th Street, 87th Street, and Cottage Grove Avenue.

RPT
Location Reports

Location reports for Chatham addresses include renovation permits, 311 requests, and zoning data. The neighborhood's stable residential character generates consistent property-level civic data.

Explore Chatham

Search an address in Chatham to see building permits, safety data, zoning details, and AI-powered neighborhood reports.

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