Historically a Polish pocket of Chicago, Bucktown is a sub-neighborhood in the community of Logan Square. Sharing close ties with the Wicker Park neighborhood, Bucktown is bounded to the north by Armitage Avenue and Chicago Avenue to the south, while I-90/94 is east and Western Avenue is west. With an area of 1.021 square miles, the Bucktown population is just over 13,000, compared to Chicago’s population of 2.7 million . Winters are quite snowy in Bucktown, while summers are hot.
A diverse group of residents from young, single professionals to seniors enjoy the artistic, cultural vibe of Bucktown—and it’s affordable enough for young families and students. About 34 percent of households are married couples, while 41 percent of households are married couples with kids. Top industries for Bucktown residents include management, business and finance, service and office, education, arts and entertainment. Over 70 percent of adults living in Bucktown have earned bachelor’s degrees.
Bucktown has a village-like feel with no high rises, a haven from the big city surroundings. The neighborhood is full of greystones, brownstones, condos, single-family homes and—the real commodity—roomy living spaces, particularly converted lofts with 13-foot ceilings and exposed brick walls. Though the neighborhood is small, it still contains 10 public schools. Bucktown is known for being pedestrian- and bike-friendly and for transport, it’s connected to the Chicago Transit Authority’s Blue Line as well as the Metra.
Corner taverns and independently owned shops and restaurants that have been around for decades cement the community-like vibe of Bucktown. It’s also a neighborhood beloved for its art, like at the David Leonardis Gallery and 4Art Inc. Theatre buffs love the up-and-coming playwrights at the Chicago Dramatists Theatre, and the Chicago Children’s Theater is fun for the whole family. The area also hosts two annual festivals: the Wicker Park Fest with nearly 30 bands playing over two days in July and Around the Coyote, an arts festival held every fall.
Bucktown extends, approximately, from Ashland Avenue on the east to Western Avenue on the west, and from Fullerton Avenue on the north to North Avenue on the south, while adjacent Wicker Park is bordered by North Avenue on the north, Division Street on the south, Western Avenue to the west and Ashland Avenue to the east. The liveliest intersection in the area is the six-point intersection at North, Damen and Milwaukee avenues. Wicker Park and Bucktown are approximately four miles from downtown Chicago, and are easily accessible via the Blue Line, as well as a number of bus routes, including 9, 50, 49, 56, 70, 72, 73 and 74. Both neighborhoods are also quite bike friendly, in fact, the bike lane on Milwaukee Avenue is particularly bustling.