Bucktown and Logan Square sit next to each other on Chicago’s Northwest Side. They share a Blue Line, a trail, a lot of independent restaurants and a housing stock that runs from workers’ cottages to boulevard greystones. This guide covers both: where they are, how they got here, what the homes are like, how you get downtown, and what daily life looks like.
Neighborhoods covered on this page: Bucktown and Logan Square (including the Logan Square boulevards and Palmer Square). Nearby areas you will hear mentioned alongside them include Wicker Park, Avondale, Humboldt Park and Hermosa. Wicker Park and West Town have their own guide: Wicker Park / West Town.
The short version: Bucktown and Logan Square are northwest of the Loop. Bucktown is centered near the Damen and Western Blue Line stations, and Logan Square is centered on the square itself, with its monument and boulevards. Between them you get an elevated trail called The 606, a strong mix of independent restaurants and bakeries, music venues, and homes from vintage cottages to greystones to new construction.
Where are Bucktown and Logan Square, and where does Wicker Park begin?
Bucktown is not an official Chicago community area. It is part of the Logan Square community area, which is why you will see different boundaries from different sources. Logan Square is both a community area and a neighborhood, centered on the square at Logan Boulevard, Milwaukee and Kedzie.
Here is how the area is generally described:
- Bucktown: the area north of the dividing line, up to about Fullerton Avenue, and from about Ashland Avenue on the east to Western Avenue on the west.
- The dividing line with Wicker Park: many people use North Avenue. Others use The 606 trail, which runs along the Bloomingdale Trail at about 1800 N. Wicker Park was once described as reaching north to Armitage Avenue.
- Logan Square: the neighborhood to the west and northwest of Bucktown, along Milwaukee Avenue and the boulevards around Logan Square, Kedzie and California.
Nearby neighborhoods you will hear mentioned include Wicker Park, Avondale, Humboldt Park and Hermosa. When I am helping a buyer, I go by the property’s address and the listing’s area rather than the name on a sign.
Real estate data follows the same split. In MRED data, area 8022 is Bucktown/Logan Square, and that is the area shown in the market charts below.
Want the neighborhood on the other side of the line? Read the Wicker Park / West Town guide.
What is the history of Bucktown and Logan Square?
Bucktown’s name is tied to goats. The area was once known in Polish as Kozie Prery, or Goat Prairie. Polish working-class settlers began arriving in the 1830s, and Germans followed in large numbers in 1848.
Logan Square takes its name from Civil War General John A. Logan. The square sits at the meeting point of Milwaukee Avenue, Logan Boulevard, Kedzie Boulevard and Kedzie Avenue, and it is anchored by the Illinois Centennial Monument, dedicated in 1918. The monument and the surrounding boulevards were part of the city’s boulevard system, designed to link parks across the north and west sides.
The twentieth century brought change to both neighborhoods. Industry and businesses thrived through the early part of the century, then the area went through an economic decline from the 1930s to the 1970s. An artists’ community grew in the late twentieth century, and the Around the Coyote arts festival launched in 1989. The 606 opened in the 2010s and changed how people move through both neighborhoods.
Brewers also built many tied houses, which are taverns owned by or tied to a brewery, and Bucktown has its share of them.
What kinds of homes are in Bucktown and Logan Square?
You will find single-family homes, two-flats and three-flats, greystones, workers’ cottages, townhomes, condominiums in vintage buildings, converted industrial lofts and new construction. Older buildings sit beside newer ones, and that mix is a large part of what gives the area its character.
- Workers’ cottages. Small frame and brick cottages are part of Bucktown’s original housing stock.
- Greystones and boulevard homes. Logan Square’s boulevards are lined with larger greystones, brick two-flats and single-family homes. Parts of the area are in the Logan Square Boulevards Chicago Landmark District, where exterior changes are reviewed.
- Two-flats and three-flats. Multi-unit buildings are common, and many owners live in one unit.
- Converted lofts. Former industrial buildings have been converted to condominiums.
- New construction. Newer single-family homes and condo buildings have gone up on many lots, including along The 606.
Lot sizes matter here. A typical Bucktown lot is smaller than a typical Lincoln Park lot, at roughly 24 by 100 feet, which shapes how homes are laid out and what can be built. If you are considering a home in a landmark district, the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development can explain the rules for that address, and I can help you ask the right questions before you write an offer.
What does the Bucktown and Logan Square housing market look like right now?
The live charts below pull current data from MRED through InfoSparks. They update automatically, so you are always looking at the latest numbers rather than a screenshot. Single-family homes and condominiums and townhomes move differently, so each is shown separately.
Bucktown / Logan Square: single-family homes
Bucktown / Logan Square: condominiums and townhomes
Source: MRED, through InfoSparks. Market data changes over time. For a read on a specific home or street, send me a message.
How do I get downtown from Bucktown or Logan Square?
The CTA Blue Line is the main way to reach the Loop. Damen and Western stations serve Bucktown, and California and Logan Square stations serve Logan Square, all with direct service downtown. The Blue Line runs 24 hours a day. The Damen station sits at the Six Corners intersection of North, Damen and Milwaukee, where Bucktown and Wicker Park meet.
- Blue Line: Damen, Western, California and Logan Square stations. Your trip time depends on whether you take a bus or a train and what time of day you travel, so use the CTA Trip Planner for your exact route.
- Buses: CTA buses run along Milwaukee, Western, Damen, North and Fullerton.
- By bike or on foot: The 606 connects the area along an off-street trail.
- By car: the Kennedy Expressway is close to the east side of both neighborhoods.
Schedules and service patterns change, so check the CTA Trip Planner before you decide on a commute.
What is The 606, and where does it go?
The 606 is a 2.7-mile elevated trail built on a former railroad embankment. It runs along the Bloomingdale Trail at about 1800 N, between Ashland Avenue and Ridgeway Avenue, and it passes through the heart of Bucktown. It has 12 access points roughly every quarter mile, and all of them are accessible. The trail is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Chicago Park District lists Walsh Park, Churchill Park and Julia de Burgos Park among the parks along the trail. Motorized and commercial vehicles are not allowed, and dogs must be on a short leash. If you run, bike or walk, this is one of the most useful amenities in the area.
For maps, access points, events and trail updates, visit The 606.
What is there to do in Bucktown and Logan Square?
- The 606. The elevated trail runs straight through Bucktown, with parks and access points along the way.
- Concord Music Hall, 2047 N. Milwaukee Ave. A dance-oriented music hall in Bucktown.
- Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave. A multi-level club known for underground and emerging acts, on North Avenue, the Bucktown and Wicker Park border.
- Bucktown Garden Walk. A summer event that shows off local gardens.
- Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Blvd. A former 1915 ballroom used for concerts, festivals and events.
- Illinois Centennial Monument. The 70-foot marble column at the center of Logan Square, built in 1918.
- Logan Square Farmers Market. On Logan Blvd. between Milwaukee Avenue and Whipple Street. It reopens in November, so check the website for details.
- Chicago Gamespace, 2418 W. Bloomingdale Ave., (312) 970-0747. A games museum near the 606.
- Graveface Chicago, 1829 N. Milwaukee Ave. Listed as a museum, and a fun stop on Milwaukee Avenue.
The Wicker Park & Bucktown Chamber of Commerce also runs WPB First Fridays. Check wickerparkbucktown.com for dates. See my Events and Outdoor categories for what is happening now.
My favorite Bucktown and Logan Square venues
A few places I send people to when they want a night out in this part of the city:
- The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave. A small live music venue in an 1881 house, tucked into the industrial corridor between Bucktown and Lincoln Park. It holds roughly 100 people.
Where do people shop in Bucktown and Logan Square?
Milwaukee Avenue and Damen Avenue are the two main shopping streets in Bucktown, with independent shops, vintage stores, record stores and home and gift boutiques. The commercial district is supported by a taxpayer-funded Special Service Area, SSA #33. Shops change often, so check hours and addresses before you go. More ideas are in my Shopping category.
Where should I eat and drink in Bucktown and Logan Square?
The restaurant scene here is deep and changes quickly. These are some of my favorites in Bucktown:
- Club Lucky, 1824 W. Wabansia Ave., (773) 227-2300.
- The Goddess and Grocer, 1649 N. Damen Ave., (773) 342-3200. A neighborhood restaurant and grocer just north of North Avenue.
- Beautiful Rind, 2211 N. Milwaukee Ave., in Logan Square.
- Mindy’s Bakery, 1623 N. Milwaukee Ave. See the bakery list below.
New places keep opening along Milwaukee, Western and Damen, so check current hours and reservations. For more, browse my Restaurants category.
Where can I find bakeries, cupcakes and donuts in Bucktown and Logan Square?
A mix of neighborhood bakeries, pastry shops and pie shops. Hours change, and some places sell out early, so check before you go.
- Mindy’s Bakery, 1623 N. Milwaukee Ave.
- Bad Butter, 1655 W. Cortland St. Croissants and savory pastries, no seating.
- Bake, 2246 W. North Ave., on North Avenue, the Bucktown and Wicker Park border. Cookies, cupcakes and galette-style pies.
- Sarima, 1924 W. North Ave., on North Avenue, the Bucktown and Wicker Park border. Pastries with Filipino and Indian flavors.
- Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits, 2051 N. California Ave., in Logan Square.
- Daisies, 2375 N. Milwaukee Ave., a restaurant at night and a cafe by day, known for olive oil cake and croissants.
- La Boulangerie & Co Logan, 3129 W. Logan Blvd.
- Pan Artesanal Bakery, 3724 W. Fullerton Ave. A weekend Mexican bakery that often sells out by noon.
- Sugar Moon, 3612 W. Wrightwood Ave. Weekends only.
Where are the independent coffee shops in Bucktown and Logan Square?
This list sticks to local shops. A few have more than one location, but none are national chains.
- Truce, 1935 N. Damen Ave.
- Ipsento 606, 1813 N. Milwaukee Ave.
- Beanokio Cafe, 2136 W. North Ave., on North Avenue, the Bucktown and Wicker Park border.
Where do I buy groceries in Bucktown and Logan Square?
Bucktown has neighborhood markets as well as full-size stores, and Logan Square has a farmers market. Hours change, so check each store before you go.
- Bucktown Market, 1758 W. Wabansia Ave.
- Olivia’s Market, 2014 W. Wabansia Ave., (773) 227-4220.
- Agora Market, 2134 N. Western Ave.
- The Goddess and Grocer, 1649 N. Damen Ave., (773) 342-3200.
- Bodega Bay Chicago, 2007 W. North Ave., a gourmet grocer, on North Avenue, the Bucktown and Wicker Park border.
- Fresh Thyme, 2500 N. Elston Ave., on the edge of Bucktown and Lincoln Park.
- Logan Square Farmers Market, on Logan Blvd. between Milwaukee Avenue and Whipple Street. It reopens in November. Check the website for details.
How do I find the schools for a home in Bucktown and Logan Square?
Chicago Public Schools assigns every address to one elementary school boundary and one high school boundary, and those boundaries can change. The only reliable way to know which schools serve a specific home is to enter that exact address into the CPS School Locator. Do this for every home you are seriously considering, before you write an offer. Magnet and selective programs use applications rather than addresses.
One more piece of advice from my years as a teacher. Schools change. Principals, programs and enrollment all shift over time, so look at a school’s current information rather than relying on an old reputation.
How do I find my ward and alderman, and which neighborhood groups can I join?
Ward lines do not follow neighborhood lines, and the ward map changes, so I do not list ward numbers here. Enter your own address on the City of Chicago wards page to see your ward and alderman, or confirm it with the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. Neighborhood boundaries and ward maps are subject to change.
- Bucktown Community Organization. The neighborhood group for Bucktown.
- Wicker Park & Bucktown Chamber of Commerce. 1414 N. Ashland Ave., 773-384-2672. It also administers the Special Service Area, SSA #33, for the commercial district.
- Logan Square Chamber of Commerce. The business association for Logan Square.
- Logan Square Neighborhood Association. A neighborhood coalition active since 1962.
- Logan Square Preservation. A preservation and historical society founded in 1980.
- Friends of Holstein Park. A volunteer group for Holstein Park in Bucktown.
How does parking and permit parking work in Bucktown and Logan Square?
Many streets here are in Residential Permit Parking zones. If you live in one, you add a zone number to your Chicago city vehicle sticker, and you can buy guest passes from the City Clerk. Zones can be added or changed, and individual blocks have their own rules.
Parking is one of the first things I look at with buyers. A garage, a parking pad or a deeded space can all work, and they work differently. Confirm current zones, hours and fees with the Chicago City Clerk for any home you are considering.
What do I need to do when I move to Bucktown and Logan Square?
Chicago has a few rules that catch new residents off guard. I keep them all on one page, so each stays current in one place. Go straight to what you need:
- Address change and utility setup: who to call for electric, gas, water and internet.
- City sticker and neighborhood parking zones: how to buy your city sticker, add your zone and show proof of residency.
- Illinois driver’s license and license plates: how long new residents have to switch over.
- Street cleaning and garbage collection: where to find your schedule.
- Snow removal and winter parking: the overnight parking ban and 2-inch snow rule.
- Your ward and alderman: how to find yours and register to vote.
What parks are in Bucktown and Logan Square?
Bucktown and Logan Square have smaller Chicago Park District parks, plus the green space along The 606. This list is a start, and the Chicago Park District park finder has every park and field house.
- Churchill Park, along The 606 in Bucktown.
- Walsh Park, 1722 N. Ashland Ave., along The 606.
- Julia de Burgos Park, along The 606.
- Holstein Park, 2200 N. Oakley Ave., in Bucktown. See Friends of Holstein Park.
- Kosciuszko Park, 2732 N. Avers Ave., in Logan Square.
- Logan Square and its boulevards, with the Illinois Centennial Monument at the center.
Three nonprofits help look after green space across the city. Join one if you want to get involved: Friends of the Forest Preserves, Friends of the Chicago River and Friends of the Parks.
Where can I take my dog in Bucktown and Logan Square?
Chicago Park District lists several dog-friendly areas in and near Bucktown and Logan Square:
- Churchill Park Dog Friendly Area, 1825 N. Damen Ave., in Bucktown.
- Walsh Dog Friendly Area, 1720 N. Ashland Ave. in Walsh Park, west of Ashland and next to the train tracks. It sits on the Bucktown and Wicker Park border, and it has a doggie drinking fountain.
- Wicker Dog Friendly Area, 1425 N. Damen Ave. in Wicker Park. It has a doggie drinking fountain.
- Kosciuszko Dog Friendly Area, 2732 N. Avers Ave., in Logan Square.
- Park No. 556 Dog Friendly Area, 2529 W. Logan Blvd., in Logan Square.
On The 606, dogs must be on a short leash.
Chicago Park District Dog Friendly Areas require a permit and a registration tag for each dog, and the permit covers one calendar year. Owners show proof of vaccinations and a recent exam at a participating veterinary office to get one. Rules and fees change, so read the city’s dog friendly area FAQ before your first visit.
Where can I work out in Bucktown and Logan Square?
The 606 is the area’s free gym, with a 2.7-mile elevated path for running, walking and cycling. Midtown Athletic Club, at 2444 N. Elston Ave. on the edge of Bucktown and Lincoln Park, is known for its tennis courts. These are the independent gyms and studios I know of:
- SALT Fitness Chicago, 1714 N. Damen Ave. #2N.
- Frog Temple Pilates Studio, 1635 W. Cortland St. #2.
- Bucktown Assembly, 2036 W. Armitage Ave. A gym for weightlifting and personal training.
- PHORM Fitness, 2378 N. Elston Ct. A Pilates studio, on the edge of Bucktown and Lincoln Park.
- Bucktown Fitness Club, 2100 W. North Ave., on North Avenue, the Bucktown and Wicker Park border.
- Bucktown Athletic Club, 2040 W. North Ave., on North Avenue, the Bucktown and Wicker Park border.
- Zen Yoga Garage, 1845 N. Milwaukee Ave. Yoga in a former auto shop.
- Unanimous Boxing Gym, 2764 N. Milwaukee Ave., in Logan Square.
- Logan Square Pilates + CORE, 2774 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Studios open, close and move often, so check hours and class schedules before you go.
Frequently asked questions about moving to Bucktown and Logan Square
Where is the dividing line between Bucktown and Wicker Park?
Neither neighborhood has an official boundary, so people draw the line in different places. Many use North Avenue, and some use The 606 trail. Bucktown is generally north of that line and Wicker Park south of it. Bucktown is part of the Logan Square community area and Wicker Park is part of West Town.
How do I get downtown from Bucktown or Logan Square?
The CTA Blue Line serves Damen, Western, California and Logan Square stations, with direct service to the Loop. The Blue Line runs 24 hours a day. Use the CTA Trip Planner for the travel time from your exact stop.
What is The 606?
The 606 is a 2.7-mile elevated trail built on a former rail line, running along the Bloomingdale Trail between Ashland and Ridgeway avenues. It has 12 access points and is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Is there residential permit parking in Bucktown and Logan Square?
Many streets are in Residential Permit Parking zones. Residents add a zone number to their Chicago city vehicle sticker and can buy guest passes from the City Clerk. Zones and fees change, so confirm current details with the City Clerk.
How do I find out which public school a Bucktown or Logan Square home is assigned to?
Enter the exact address in the CPS School Locator. Each Chicago address has one elementary and one high school boundary.
Who is the alderman for Bucktown and Logan Square?
Ward lines do not follow neighborhood lines and the ward map changes, so enter your own address on the City of Chicago wards page to see your ward and alderman.
Keep exploring
Comparing neighborhoods? Read Lincoln Park vs. Lakeview vs. Bucktown vs. Wicker Park.
The other half of this area: Wicker Park / West Town
More neighborhood guides:
Planning your move:
- New Resident Information
- Buying a Home in Chicago
- Selling a Home in Chicago
- Free Guides
- Chicago Real Estate FAQ
More from the blog: Bucktown and Wicker Park | Restaurants | Shopping | Outdoor | Events
Thinking about a move to Bucktown or Logan Square?
The details matter here: where the dividing line falls for a particular home, whether a house is in a landmark district, the permit zone, the school boundary. I help buyers and sellers sort through those details every week. If you are weighing Bucktown and Logan Square against Lincoln Park, Lakeview or Wicker Park, send me a message and tell me what matters most to you. I will help you compare them honestly.
You can reach me at 312-953-7811. If you would like neighborhood news and market updates in your inbox, sign up for my newsletter.
Maureen Moran, REALTOR®, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate. Information is believed accurate but is not guaranteed. Parking rules, fees, schedules, hours, school boundaries, neighborhood boundaries and ward maps change, so please verify details with the source.
What’s new in Bucktown and Logan Square?
These are my latest posts about Bucktown and Logan Square: restaurant openings, events, market updates and what I’m seeing on the street. See every Bucktown and Wicker Park post.
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