South Shore

Art and community-focused neighborhood.

Welcome to South Shore

What was once a collection of settlements whose inhabitants were those of British heritage, South Shore was named as such in the 1920s. The population more than doubled between 1920 and 1930 as residents of Irish, Swedish, German, and Jewish descent moved in. During the 1950s, more African American families moved in, and in 1973, local activists took over management of the South Shore Bank and revived the current predominantly Black community of South Shore in both commerce and housing. Architecture styles in South Shore vary from prairie-style to classic bungalows, Neo-Gothic mansions, and Spanish Revivals. The median home price listing is $182.5K and is trending upward.
 

What to Love

People & Lifestyle 

South Shore is an artistic, enterprising community consisting of mostly single-person and two-person homes. This dynamic community is a great destination for small middle-class families and young professionals. Getting around requires a car or public transit. 
 

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping 

There are various local eateries available for all your dining needs. Surf’s Up is a local Cajun and Creole seafood restaurant and is one of the first Black-owned restaurants in the Old Town community. With its second location in South Shore, it features a variety of seafood, including crab, shrimp, and even classic po-boys. Parrot Cage Restaurant is a modern American restaurant run by students of the Washburne Culinary Institute. For classic Southern American fare, visit the inviting and unpretentious Virtue restaurant and bar, where you can find Southern staples such as buttered grits and catfish. If you’re looking for an affordable, delectable BBQ, be sure to check out Slab BBQ.
 
For your entertainment needs, stop by Trickery Chicago to catch an amusing magic show. The show is family-friendly, though the recommended audience age is 12 and over, and those 21+ are welcome to BYOB. If you prefer to see live music, dance, or folklore performance, stop by Muntu Dance Theatre, where preserving African and African American culture is their core principle. Muntu offers various classes, arts programs, and professional training to those who cherish African and African American history and conservation. Get some shopping done at Jeffery Plaza shopping mall, where you can find retail locations such as Slim Waist Trainer sporting goods and Local Market, a high-quality community marketplace. 
 

Things to Do

Many local museums, parks, and cultural attractions will draw you in when you visit South Shore. Chicago History Museum and Bronzeville Children’s Museum are two great destinations for learning more about the town’s history and its rich African and African American roots. Spend some time outdoors in the community garden, basketball and tennis courts, playgrounds, or baseball diamonds available at Rainbow Beach Park. Spend the day tanning and swimming at Rainbow Beach, where you can catch a spectacular scenic view of the Chicago skyline. Swing a few holes at the Jackson Park Golf Course, which weaves throughout Jackson Park’s 500-acre lush landscape.
 

Schools 

There are several fine educational institutions in South Shore, some of which include:
 

Overview for South Shore, IL

54,873 people live in South Shore, where the median age is 39 and the average individual income is $29,222. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

54,873

Total Population

39 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$29,222

Average individual Income

Around South Shore, IL

There's plenty to do around South Shore, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

76
Very Walkable
Walking Score
57
Bikeable
Bike Score
68
Good Transit
Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Steel City Bakery, Windy City Baker, and Harper Cafe.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dining 4.36 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 2.58 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining · $ 2.29 miles 8 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining · $ 0.65 miles 6 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 4.69 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining · $$ 2.37 miles 6 reviews 5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for South Shore, IL

South Shore has 25,670 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in South Shore do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 54,873 people call South Shore home. The population density is 22,305.428 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

54,873

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

39

Median Age

45.81 / 54.19%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
25,670

Total Households

2

Average Household Size

$29,222

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Schools in South Shore, IL

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby South Shore. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating

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