Hyde Park, Chicago

Hyde Park
Community Area 41 – Hyde Park
Hyde Park in Chicago
Hyde Park in Chicago
The official Hyde Park community area (bold black) and the unofficial Hyde Park-Kenwood neighborhood extending into the official Kenwood community area (thin black).
The official Hyde Park community area (bold black) and the unofficial Hyde Park-Kenwood neighborhood extending into the official Kenwood community area (thin black).
Location of Hyde Park in Chicago
Location of Hyde Park in Chicago
Coordinates: 41°48′N 87°35.4′W / 41.800°N 87.5900°W / 41.800; -87.5900
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyCook
CityChicago
Neighborhoods
List
Area
 • Total1.65 sq mi (4.27 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total29,456
 • Density18,000/sq mi (6,900/km2)
Demographics (2020)[1]
 • White47.0%
 • Black24.4%
 • Asian14.2%
 • Hispanic7.5%
 • Other6.9%
Educational Attainment 2018[1]
 • High School Diploma or Higher96.77%
 • Bachelor's Degree or Higher75.00%
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
parts of 60615 and 60637
Median household income 2020$52,423[1]
Source: U.S. Census, Record Information Services

Hyde Park is a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, located on and near the shore of Lake Michigan 7 miles (11 km) south of the Loop. It is one of the city's 77 community areas.

Hyde Park's boundaries and subdivisions have several local definitions. The community area's formal boundaries are 51st Street (signed locally as Hyde Park Boulevard) on the north, Midway Plaisance on the south, Washington Park on the west, and Lake Michigan on the east.[2] Another local definition considers a section to the north between 47th Street[3] and Hyde Park Boulevard to be in Hyde Park, although this area is, according to municipal boundaries, the southern half of the Kenwood community area. As such, it is often called “South Kenwood.” Hyde Park and South Kenwood are also sometimes collectively termed “Hyde Park-Kenwood” (as in the name of the epoynmous Historic District, for example). Meanwhile, the portion of Hyde Park that lies between the Illinois Central Railroad tracks and the lake is usually referred to as “East Hyde Park” and is usually also taken to include “Indian Village,” the small southeastern corner of Kenwood.[4]

Hyde Park is home to the University of Chicago and several seminaries: Catholic Theological Union, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and McCormick Theological Seminary. The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and two of Chicago's four historic sites listed in the original 1966 National Register of Historic PlacesChicago Pile-1, the world's first artificial nuclear reactor, and Robie House—are also in the neighborhood.[5] In the early 21st century, Hyde Park received national attention for its association with U.S. President Barack Obama, who, before running for president, was a Senior Lecturer for twelve years at the University of Chicago Law School, an Illinois state senator representing the area, and U.S. senator from Illinois.[6][7] The Barack Obama Presidential Center is currently under construction in Jackson Park, which borders Hyde Park.[8]

  1. ^ a b c "Community Data Snapshot - Hyde Park" (PDF). MetroPulse. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  2. ^ "Guides and Maps - Neighborhood Maps: Hyde Park and Bronzeville" (PDF). City of Chicago. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  3. ^ "Business Directory (C): Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage-Hyde Park". Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  4. ^ "The Hyde Park-Kenwood Urban Renewal Story". Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference. Archived from the original on August 28, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  5. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  6. ^ Kantor, Jodi (July 30, 2008). "Teaching Law, Testing Ideas, Obama Stood Slightly Apart". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  7. ^ "Statement Regarding Barack Obama". The University of Chicago Law School Media Inquiries. December 16, 2008. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  8. ^ Tareen, Sophia (February 4, 2021). "Obama Presidential Center construction in Jackson Park to start in 2021". ABC7 Chicago. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.