Frequently Asked Questions about New City
What is it like to live in New City, Chicago, IL?
New City is a southwest-side Chicago community area made up mainly of the Back of the Yards and Canaryville neighborhoods and is historically centered on the former Union Stock Yards. It is primarily working-class and residential, featuring a mix of single-family bungalows, two-flats and low-rise apartments. The population is predominantly Hispanic/Latino and the area has lower median household income and housing costs than the Chicago average. Public transit is provided mainly by CTA bus routes and residents rely on nearby major roadways for car travel; local schools, parks and neighborhood organizations serve the community.
Is New City, Chicago, IL expensive?
New City is generally more affordable than Chicago's citywide average, with median home prices and rents lower than downtown and many North Side neighborhoods. Housing is primarily single-family homes and low-rise apartments, so costs vary by block and proximity to transit and amenities. Prices have risen in recent years but overall remain below the city's average.
What is the weather of New City, Chicago, IL?
New City has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons—cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Average January mean temperatures are around 21°F and July means near 75°F, with roughly 36 inches of annual snowfall and about 36 inches of total precipitation. Proximity to Lake Michigan moderates temperatures near the shore, but New City on the Southwest Side typically experiences the broader Chicago continental variability with rapid temperature swings in spring and fall.
How safe is New City, Chicago, IL?
New City, a Southwest Side community area that includes Back of the Yards and Canaryville, has historically recorded higher-than-Chicago-average rates of violent and property crime. Crime tends to be concentrated in parts of Back of the Yards, while risk is more variable in Canaryville and near industrial corridors. Local police data and community-policing initiatives target reductions, but crime remains a notable concern—consult the Chicago Police Department’s latest crime statistics for current, block-level information.
What to know about New City demographics:
