Picking a Chicago neighborhood to live in can be a challenge. Buyers have a specific set of criteria in mind when they set out to find a place to call home, and home price, style, neighborhood vibe, and nearby amenities are typically high on that list.

Bronzeville often comes up as a popular choice because it’s an affordable neighborhood with a good stock of homes to choose from. And although it’s garnered some interest recently, it’s a Chicago neighborhood steeped in history. 

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The History

A sign detailing the life of Ida B. Wells-Barnett.
A sign detailing the life of Ida B. Wells-Barnett in Bronzeville, Chicago. Photo by Kenyon Edmond 

Chicago is a city with a proud history made even more fascinating by the entirely distinct legacies born from its various neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods are known for the historic architecture and others for the people who once walked their streets. Bronzeville has both. 

The neighborhood is home to The Black Metropolis District. The district is made of different landmarked structures: Overton Hygienic/Douglass National Bank Building, Chicago Bee Building, Wabash Avenue YMCA, Chicago Defender Building, Unity Hall, Eighth Regiment Armory, Sunset Café/Grand Terrace Café, Victory Monument, and Liberty Life/Supreme Life Insurance Company.

Dating back to the early 1900s, Bronzeville has generations of African American history. The neighborhood was home to some of the city’s iconic jazz musicians including Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong. Proud Chicagoans will find plenty to love about this neighborhood’s legacy.

The Home Styles

Homes along Martin Luther King Dr. in Bronzeville, Chicago.
Homes along Martin Luther King Dr. in Bronzeville, Chicago. Photo by Kenyon Edmond

Just south of Chicago’s downtown, Bronzeville is a fairly dense neighborhood. This makes it easier to find attached homes, like condos and townhomes, although the neighborhood does have some single-family homes. Among its housing options, Bronzeville has a wide variety of options. You can opt for something vintage—the neighborhood has homes dating back to the 1870s—or you can go chic and modern with construction as new as 2019. 

The neighborhood’s proximity to the Loop makes it even more attractive when you consider just how affordable it is. The median home sale price in Bronzeville is in the mid $200s, according to Neighborhoods.com data. Yet, there’s still plenty of price flexibility to accommodate your budget. If you’re looking for Bronzeville luxury, you can find homes in above $700,000. If you seek something more affordable, current home prices drop below $100,000. 

The Transportation

I-90, the Dan Ryan Expressway, and the 35th St. Red Line stop on the eastern border of Bronzeville. Photo by JayTee88 / Shutterstock.com

Bronzeville is a solidly accessible neighborhood. For those with a car, the neighborhood is bordered by I-90 to the west, and Lake Shore Drive is just outside of its bounds to the east. Access to those major roads makes it easy to get downtown, around the city, and out to the suburbs. 

For those who rely on public transportation, the CTA Green Line runs north and south through the neighborhood, practically dividing it into two even halves. Bronzeville residents can get on the ‘L’ at their choice of four stations: 51st, 47th, Indiana, and 35th-Bronzeville-IIT. The neighborhood also has a Metra stop located in its northwestern corner. 

Walk Score also highly ranks the neighborhood for bikeability and walkability. No matter your preferred method of transportation, Bronzeville makes it manageable. 

The Art

A mural in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago’s neighborhoods are full of public art. Some are known for murals and others for unique sculpture work. Bronzeville is a highlight when it comes to the city’s public art.

A stretch of Martin Luther King Drive is lined with sculptures, including major works like “Monument to the Great Northern Migration.” You can even see the neighborhood’s history etched into a 14-foot bronze map laid out on the ground at 35th Street and Martin Luther King Drive. 

The Food

Chicago's Home of Chicken and Waffles in Bronzeville.
Chicago's home of Chicken and Waffles in Bronzeville, Chicago. Photo by Leigh Kelsey / CC BY-NC-ND

Nearly any Chicago neighborhood that ascends the ranks of popularity will have some seriously delicious options for eating out, and Bronzeville is no exception. The neighborhood is home to decadent favorites like Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffles (the name says it all) and Pearl’s Place (a restaurant specializing in southern cuisine).

If you feel like trying something one-of-a-kind, Yassa Restaurant on the north end of the neighborhood is one of the only Senegalese restaurants in the city. 

For anyone who wants to find a regular neighborhood haunt, Ain’t She Sweet Cafe is a good place to start. Centrally located, this casual eatery does sandwiches, milkshakes, and baked goods. 

Going Out

Armstrong Park in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Bronzeville isn’t one of the bar-heaviest neighborhoods in the city, but it does have enough entertainment options to please those with a taste for going out. The neighborhood has a noteworthy cultural scene with multiple art galleries (Gallery Guichard and Blanc Gallery among them) and Harold Washington Cultural Center. 

Though so close to downtown, Bronzeville has a fair share of open space. The neighborhood is peppered with a handful of smaller parks with amenities like playgrounds (try Armstrong Park), pools (try Robert Taylor Park), and sports fields (try Mandrake Park). Bronzeville is also just west of the lake, so a short walk will take you to the popular Oakwood/41st Street Beach in Oakland.