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Natural Open Surfaces (Area-weighted) by Community Area — Chicago

Map and ranking of Natural Open Surfaces (Area-weighted) across Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. Highest: South Deering (56.4%). Lowest: Avondale (7.4%). Chicago avg: 21.5%. Data: 2021–2023.

All 2 Environment tables

Metric

Natural Open Surfaces (Area-weighted) · all 77 Chicago neighborhoods · 2021–23

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Year

Earlier releases not shown — comparable National Baseline Assessment of Urban and Community Forests historical data are unavailable. Current data: 2021–2023.

Citywide overview

All neighborhoods

Chicago citywide · Natural Open Surfaces (Area-weighted) 21.5%

Highest community area South Deering: 56.4%

Lowest community area Avondale: 7.4%

Natural Open Surfaces (Area-weighted)

Avg 21%

7%32%56%

Highest community area South Deering

56.4%

Chicago avg

21.5%

Lowest community area Avondale

7.4%

Note: Based on classified aerial imagery rather than a household survey.

Universe: Land area classified from high-resolution aerial imagery · Geography: Census Block Group · Source: USDA Forest Service, Arbor Day Foundation, and PlanIT Geo National Baseline Assessment of Urban and Community Forests, 2026 (2021–2023 imagery)

Community Area distribution Hover or click any dot to inspect

Min 7% 25th pct 13% Median 19% 75th pct 23% Max 56%

Community Area ranking: Natural Open Surfaces (Area-weighted)

Excel

#1	South Deering	56.4%	+34.9 pts
#2	Hegewisch	55.1%	+33.6 pts
#3	Riverdale	47.4%	+26 pts
#4	South Chicago	35.6%	+14.1 pts
#5	Washington Park	34.5%	+13 pts
#6	Mount Greenwood	30.5%	+9 pts
#7	East Side	30.3%	+8.8 pts
#8	Oakland	29.8%	+8.3 pts
#9	Pullman	29.4%	+7.9 pts
#10	Woodlawn	27.6%	+6.1 pts
#11	Near South Side	27.4%	+6 pts
#12	West Pullman	25.8%	+4.3 pts
#13	Douglas	25.6%	+4.1 pts
#14	Englewood	25.1%	+3.7 pts
#15	Roseland	24.7%	+3.2 pts
#16	Dunning	24.1%	+2.6 pts
#17	West Lawn	23.9%	+2.4 pts
#18	Burnside	23%	+1.6 pts
#19	Garfield Ridge	22.9%	+1.4 pts
#20	Washington Heights	22.8%	+1.3 pts
#21	Uptown	22.8%	+1.3 pts
#22	Ashburn	22.7%	+1.3 pts
#23	North Park	22.6%	+1.1 pts
#24	O'Hare	22.6%	+1.1 pts
#25	Morgan Park	22.3%	+0.8 pts
#26	Norwood Park	21.6%	+0.1 pts
#27	West Englewood	21.5%	0 pts
#28	Calumet Heights	21.1%	-0.4 pts
#29	North Lawndale	21.1%	-0.4 pts
#30	Chicago Lawn	20.4%	-1.1 pts
#31	Greater Grand Crossing	20.2%	-1.3 pts
#32	South Lawndale	20.1%	-1.4 pts
#33	Grand Boulevard	20%	-1.5 pts
#34	Auburn Gresham	19.8%	-1.6 pts
#35	East Garfield Park	19.7%	-1.8 pts
#36	Beverly	19.6%	-1.9 pts
#37	West Elsdon	19.4%	-2.1 pts
#38	Fuller Park	18.8%	-2.7 pts
#39	Chatham	18.6%	-2.9 pts
#40	Edison Park	18.1%	-3.4 pts
#41	Forest Glen	17.9%	-3.6 pts
#42	Montclare	17.5%	-3.9 pts
#43	Lincoln Square	17.5%	-4 pts
#44	Clearing	17.3%	-4.2 pts
#45	Avalon Park	17.2%	-4.3 pts
#46	Jefferson Park	17.2%	-4.3 pts
#47	Hyde Park	17.1%	-4.4 pts
#48	West Garfield Park	16.9%	-4.6 pts
#49	Kenwood	16.5%	-5 pts
#50	Austin	15.7%	-5.8 pts
#51	Lincoln Park	15.6%	-5.9 pts
#52	Portage Park	15.1%	-6.4 pts
#53	Lower West Side	14.5%	-7 pts
#54	New City (Back of the Yards)	14.3%	-7.1 pts
#55	West Ridge	14.1%	-7.4 pts
#56	South Shore	13.8%	-7.7 pts
#57	Belmont Cragin	12.9%	-8.6 pts
#58	Gage Park	12.8%	-8.7 pts
#59	Loop	12.7%	-8.8 pts
#60	Humboldt Park	12.5%	-9 pts
#61	Irving Park	12.4%	-9.1 pts
#62	McKinley Park	12.1%	-9.4 pts
#63	Bridgeport	11.6%	-9.8 pts
#64	Hermosa	11.6%	-9.9 pts
#65	Archer Heights	11.5%	-10 pts
#66	Near North Side	10.9%	-10.6 pts
#67	Armour Square	10.7%	-10.8 pts
#68	Lake View	9.7%	-11.8 pts
#69	West Town	9.6%	-11.9 pts
#70	Near West Side	9.6%	-11.9 pts
#71	Brighton Park	9.1%	-12.4 pts
#72	Rogers Park	8.9%	-12.6 pts
#73	Albany Park	8.8%	-12.7 pts
#74	North Center	8.6%	-12.9 pts
#75	Logan Square	7.5%	-14 pts
#76	Edgewater	7.4%	-14.1 pts
#77	Avondale	7.4%	-14.1 pts

All 397 neighborhood maps

Basic Demographics

• Hispanic Residents
• White Residents
• Black Residents
• Asian Residents
• Other Race/Ethnicity Residents
• Less Than High School
• High School or GED
• Some College
• Bachelor's Degree
• Graduate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree or Higher
• Population
• Total Households
• Population Density
• Veteran (% of civilian adults 18+)
• Veteran Status: Post-9/11 Gulf War Era (% of veterans)
• Veteran Status: Pre-9/11 Gulf War Era Only (% of veterans)
• Veteran Status: Vietnam Era (% of veterans)
• Veteran Status: Korean War (% of veterans)
• Veteran Status: Other / Peacetime Service (% of veterans)

Households & Families

• Average Household Size
• Never-Married Residents
• Married Residents
• Separated Residents
• Divorced Residents
• Widowed Residents
• Married-Couple Households
• Unmarried-Couple Households
• One-Person Households
• Other Household Types
• Children in Married-Couple Households
• Children in Unmarried-Couple Households
• Children in Single-Mother Households
• Children in Single-Father Households

Immigration

• U.S.-Born Residents
• Foreign-Born Residents (% of all residents)
• Foreign-Born Naturalized Citizens (% of all residents)
• Foreign-Born Noncitizens (% of all residents)

Country of Birth

• Mexico (% of all residents)
• China / Hong Kong (% of all residents)
• India (% of all residents)
• Poland (% of all residents)
• Philippines (% of all residents)
• Ecuador (% of all residents)
• Guatemala (% of all residents)
• Nigeria (% of all residents)
• Venezuela (% of all residents)
• Ukraine (% of all residents)
• Colombia (% of all residents)
• Korea (% of all residents)
• Vietnam (% of all residents)
• Canada (% of all residents)
• Pakistan (% of all residents)
• United Kingdom (% of all residents)
• Russia (% of all residents)
• Honduras (% of all residents)
• Peru (% of all residents)
• Romania (% of all residents)
• Bosnia (% of all residents)
• Ghana (% of all residents)
• France (% of all residents)
• Iraq (% of all residents)
• Ethiopia (% of all residents)
• Italy (% of all residents)
• Thailand (% of all residents)
• Bulgaria (% of all residents)
• Jamaica (% of all residents)
• Greece (% of all residents)
• Serbia (% of all residents)
• Haiti (% of all residents)
• Burma (% of all residents)
• Nicaragua (% of all residents)
• Jordan (% of all residents)
• Malaysia (% of all residents)
• Morocco (% of all residents)
• Cameroon (% of all residents)
• Saudi Arabia (% of all residents)
• Cambodia (% of all residents)
• Sri Lanka (% of all residents)
• Sudan (% of all residents)

Language

• Speak Only English at Home
• Speak a Language Other Than English at Home
• Speak Spanish at Home
• Speak French, Haitian, or Cajun at Home
• Speak German or Other West Germanic at Home
• Speak Russian, Polish, or Other Slavic at Home
• Speak Other Indo-European Language at Home
• Speak Korean at Home
• Speak Chinese at Home (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)
• Speak Vietnamese at Home
• Speak Tagalog at Home (incl. Filipino)
• Speak Other Asian or Pacific Island Language at Home
• Speak Arabic at Home
• Speak Other Languages at Home
• Native English Speaker or Speaks English Very Well
• Combined Speaks English Less Than Very Well (% of residents age 5+)
• Speaks English Well (% of residents age 5+)
• Speaks English Not Well (% of residents age 5+)
• Does Not Speak English (% of residents age 5+)

Household Income

• Average Household Income
• Per Capita Income
• 10th Percentile Household Income
• 25th Percentile Household Income
• Median Household Income
• 75th Percentile Household Income
• 90th Percentile Household Income

Poverty

• Below the Poverty Line
• Below 200% of the Poverty Line
• Below 50% of the Poverty Line

Material Hardship

• Food Insecurity
• Housing Insecurity
• Transportation Barriers
• Threatened Utility Shutoff

Employment

• 25-54 Year Old Employment Status: In the Labor Force
• 25-54 Year Old Employment Status: Employed
• 25-54 Year Old Employment Status: Unemployed
• 25-54 Year Old Employment Status: Unemployment Rate (% of the civilian labor force)
• 25-54 Year Old Employment Status: Not in the Labor Force

Occupation

• Occupation: Management, Business, Science & Arts
• Occupation: Management Occupations
• Occupation: Business & Financial Operations
• Occupation: Computer & Mathematical
• Occupation: Architecture & Engineering
• Occupation: Life, Physical & Social Science
• Occupation: Community & Social Service
• Occupation: Legal Occupations
• Occupation: Education, Training & Library
• Occupation: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports & Media
• Occupation: Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners
• Occupation: Health Technologists & Technicians
• Occupation: Service
• Occupation: Healthcare Support
• Occupation: Protective Service
• Occupation: Food Preparation & Serving
• Occupation: Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance
• Occupation: Personal Care & Service
• Occupation: Sales & Office
• Occupation: Sales & Related
• Occupation: Office & Administrative Support
• Occupation: Natural Resources, Construction & Maintenance
• Occupation: Farming, Fishing & Forestry
• Occupation: Construction & Extraction
• Occupation: Installation, Maintenance & Repair
• Occupation: Production, Transportation & Material Moving
• Occupation: Production Occupations
• Occupation: Transportation Occupations
• Occupation: Material Moving Occupations

Industry

• Industry: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Mining
• Industry: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting
• Industry: Mining, Quarrying & Oil and Gas Extraction
• Industry: Construction
• Industry: Manufacturing
• Industry: Wholesale Trade
• Industry: Retail Trade
• Industry: Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities
• Industry: Transportation & Warehousing
• Industry: Utilities
• Industry: Information
• Industry: Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
• Industry: Finance & Insurance
• Industry: Real Estate & Rental and Leasing
• Industry: Professional, Scientific & Management Services
• Industry: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• Industry: Management of Companies & Enterprises
• Industry: Administrative, Support & Waste Management Services
• Industry: Education, Health Care & Social Assistance
• Industry: Educational Services
• Industry: Health Care & Social Assistance
• Industry: Arts, Entertainment, Recreation & Food Services
• Industry: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
• Industry: Accommodation & Food Services
• Industry: Other Services
• Industry: Public Administration

Work & Earnings

• Average Earnings of Full-Time, Year-Round Workers
• Private Company Employee
• Self-Employed Workers
• Nonprofit Employees
• Government Employees
• Unpaid Family Worker
• Full-Time, Year-Round
• Part-Time or Part-Year
• Average FT Earnings
• 10th Percentile FT Earnings
• 25th Percentile FT Earnings
• Median FT Earnings
• 75th Percentile FT Earnings
• 90th Percentile FT Earnings
• Average PT Earnings
• 10th Percentile PT Earnings
• 25th Percentile PT Earnings
• Median PT Earnings
• 75th Percentile PT Earnings
• 90th Percentile PT Earnings
• Average Earnings
• 10th Percentile Earnings
• 25th Percentile Earnings
• Median Earnings
• 75th Percentile Earnings
• 90th Percentile Earnings

Economic Mobility

• Adult Outcomes: Household income at age 35
• Adult Outcomes: Household income rank (percentile)
• Adult Outcomes: Share reaching the top 20% of household income
• Adult Outcomes: Individual income at age 35
• Adult Outcomes: Fraction married
• Adult Outcomes: Employment rate
• Adult Outcomes: Incarceration rate
• Lower-Income Families: Household income at age 35
• Lower-Income Families: Household income rank (percentile)
• Lower-Income Families: Share reaching the top 20% of household income
• Lower-Income Families: Individual income at age 35
• Geographic Mobility: Stayed in the greater Chicago area
• Geographic Mobility: Stayed in the same small immediate neighborhood area

Local Jobs and Businesses

• Firm Size: Fewer Than 50 Employees
• All Jobs Located in Neighborhood
• Jobs Held by Residents of the Same Neighborhood
• Jobs Held by Residents of Another Neighborhood
• Employed Residents Working in Their Own Neighborhood
• Employed Residents Working Outside Their Neighborhood

Industry of Local Jobs

• Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Mining
• Mining, Quarrying & Oil and Gas Extraction
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Wholesale Trade
• Retail Trade
• Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities
• Utilities
• Transportation & Warehousing
• Information
• Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
• Finance & Insurance
• Real Estate & Rental and Leasing
• Professional, Scientific & Management Services
• Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• Management of Companies & Enterprises
• Administrative, Support & Waste Management Services
• Education, Health Care & Social Assistance
• Educational Services
• Health Care & Social Assistance
• Arts, Entertainment, Recreation & Food Services
• Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
• Accommodation & Food Services
• Other Services
• Public Administration

Students

• Enrolled in K-12 (% of all residents)
• Public School (% of K–12 enrollees)
• Private School (% of K–12 enrollees)
• Enrolled in College (% of all residents)
• Public College or University (% of college enrollees)
• Private College or University (% of college enrollees)

Owners & Renters

• Owner-Occupied Housing (Households)
• Renter-Occupied Housing (Households)
• Owner-Occupied Housing (Residents)
• Renter-Occupied Housing (Residents)

Overall Housing Costs

• Cost Burdened: Spending 30% or More on Housing
• Severely Cost Burdened: Spending 50% or More on Housing
• Cost Burdened: Spending 30% or More on Housing (Renters)
• Severely Cost Burdened: Spending 50% or More on Housing (Renters)
• Cost Burdened: Spending 30% or More on Housing (Owners)
• Severely Cost Burdened: Spending 50% or More on Housing (Owners)
• Cost Burdened: Spending 30% or More on Housing (Owners with a mortgage)
• Severely Cost Burdened: Spending 50% or More on Housing (Owners with a mortgage)
• Cost Burdened: Spending 30% or More on Housing (Owners without a mortgage)
• Severely Cost Burdened: Spending 50% or More on Housing (Owners without a mortgage)
• 10th Percentile Monthly Housing Costs
• 25th Percentile Monthly Housing Costs
• Median Monthly Housing Costs
• 75th Percentile Monthly Housing Costs
• 90th Percentile Monthly Housing Costs

Renter Housing Costs

• Average Rent + Utilities
• 10th Percentile Rent + Utilities
• 25th Percentile Rent + Utilities
• Median Rent + Utilities
• 75th Percentile Rent + Utilities
• 90th Percentile Rent + Utilities
• Average Rent
• 10th Percentile Rent
• 25th Percentile Rent
• Median Rent
• 75th Percentile Rent
• 90th Percentile Rent

Homeowner Housing Costs

• Average Monthly Owner Costs (With Mortgage)
• 10th Percentile Monthly Owner Costs (With Mortgage)
• 25th Percentile Monthly Owner Costs (With Mortgage)
• Median Monthly Owner Costs (With Mortgage)
• 75th Percentile Monthly Owner Costs (With Mortgage)
• 90th Percentile Monthly Owner Costs (With Mortgage)
• Monthly Homeowner Costs Without a Mortgage: Average Monthly Owner Costs
• Monthly Homeowner Costs Without a Mortgage: 10th Percentile Monthly Owner Costs
• Monthly Homeowner Costs Without a Mortgage: 25th Percentile Monthly Owner Costs
• Monthly Homeowner Costs Without a Mortgage: Median Monthly Owner Costs
• Monthly Homeowner Costs Without a Mortgage: 75th Percentile Monthly Owner Costs
• Monthly Homeowner Costs Without a Mortgage: 90th Percentile Monthly Owner Costs
• Home Values: Average Home Value
• 10th Percentile Home Value
• 25th Percentile Home Value
• Median Home Value
• 75th Percentile Home Value
• 90th Percentile Home Value

Federal Housing Assistance

• All HUD-Subsidized Units (% of housing units)
• Housing Choice Vouchers (% of housing units)
• Public Housing (% of housing units)
• Project-Based Section 8 (% of housing units)
• Other Project-Based Programs (% of housing units)
• Average Household Income
• Average Tenant-Paid Rent
• Average Monthly Government Spending
• Below 30% of Area Median Income
• HUD Recipient Households With Children
• HUD Recipient Households Where the Head or Spouse Has a Disability

Housing Stock

• Overall Vacancy Rate
• Rental Vacancy Rate (% of rental units)
• Owner Vacancy Rate (% of owner units)
• Occupied Housing Units
• Vacant Housing Units
• Median Year Built
• Single-Family Homes
• Buildings With 2–4 Units
• Buildings With 5–19 Units
• Buildings With 20 or More Units
• Overcrowded: More Than 1 Person per Room (% of occupied housing units)
• Natural Gas Heat
• Electric Heat
• Other Heating Source

Mobility

• Median Year Moved In
• Share Moved Within Last Year (% of all residents)
• Moved Last Year: Within Cook County (% of all residents)
• Moved Last Year: From a Different Illinois County (% of all residents)
• Moved Last Year: From a Different State (% of all residents)
• Moved Last Year: From Abroad (% of all residents)

Environment

• Tree Canopy (Area-weighted)
• Impervious Surfaces (Area-weighted)
• Natural Open Surfaces (Area-weighted)
• Homes Without Air Conditioning

Transportation

• Drove Alone to Work
• Carpooled to Work
• Commuted by Public Transit
• Walked to Work
• Biked to Work
• Other Commute Mode
• Average Commute Time
• Average Vehicles per Household
• Households With No Vehicle

Technology Access

• K–12 Students Without a Computer and/or Internet
• College Students Without a Computer and/or Internet
• No Computer or Smartphone
• Smartphone Only, No Desktop or Laptop
• Desktop or Laptop Available
• Has Internet Access
• Cellular Data Plan Only
• Internet Access Without a Paid Subscription
• No Internet Access

Health Insurance & Disability

• Uninsured Residents
• Uninsured Children Under 19 (% of children under 19)
• Uninsured Adults Ages 19–64 (% of adults ages 19–64)
• Uninsured Adults Ages 65 and Older (% of adults 65 and older)
• Insured (Any Coverage)
• Employer-Based Insurance
• Direct-Purchase Insurance
• Health Insurance Coverage Types: Medicare
• Health Insurance Coverage Types: Medicaid
• Military Health Coverage (TRICARE / VA)
• Multiple Types of Insurance, Specific Types Unspecified
• Health Insurance Coverage Types: Uninsured
• Any Disability
• Ambulatory Disability
• Hearing Disability
• Vision Disability
• Cognitive Disability
• Self-Care Disability
• Independent Living Disability

Health

• Incidence of Health Problems: Arthritis
• High Blood Pressure
• Incidence of Health Problems: Cancer
• Incidence of Health Problems: Current Asthma
• Coronary Heart Disease
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Incidence of Health Problems: Diabetes
• Incidence of Health Problems: High Cholesterol
• Incidence of Health Problems: Obesity
• Incidence of Health Problems: Stroke
• Lost All Natural Teeth
• Binge Drinking in Past 30 Days
• Current Cigarette Smoking
• No Leisure-Time Physical Activity
• Short Sleep Duration
• Fair or Poor Self-Reported Health
• Frequent Physical Distress
• Taking Medication for High Blood Pressure
• Routine Checkup in Past Year
• Cholesterol Check in Past 5 Years
• Up to Date on Colorectal Cancer Screening
• Dental Visit in Past Year
• Mammogram in Past 2 Years
• Medical Provider-Diagnosed Depression
• Frequent Mental Distress
• Lack of Social/Emotional Support
• Loneliness