Bridgeport

Home to five of Chicago’s 45 mayors, including Mayors Richard J. and Richard M. Daley, Bridgeport is a south side neighborhood with a rich history. 

Originally named Hardscrabble, and ultimately getting its name from a bridge over the Chicago River that was too low for the safe passage of boats, Bridgeport was one of Chicago’s founding neighborhoods and once an industrial center of the city. Now primarily a residential area, Bridgeport is still home to the Chicago White Sox as well as some of the city’s finest architecture.

Though a neighborhood with rich history, Bridgeport has enjoyed a bit of recent modernization, as former residents who left the neighborhood for trendier locales, not to mention those looking for the next hot, up-and-coming area of the city, have returned to Bridgeport with a more modern, updated style and aesthetic. And the neighborhood reflects that with hipsters and families moving in, along with great local businesses such as Bridgeport Coffee and The Pleasant House Bakery.

Public Amenities, Services, Civic Organizations

Chicago Park District manages several parks in Bridgeport including Donovan Park, Wilson Park, McGuane Park and Bosley Park.

Bridgeport is served by the Bridgeport News, a weekly newspaper with free home delivery throughout the neighborhood, as well as being available online.

Bridgeport also boasts The Richard J. Daley Branch of the Chicago Public Library, which is located at 3400 South Halsted Street.

Housing in Bridgeport

With a population of just over 30,000 Chicagoans, Bridgeport primarily offers single-family homes and new construction condos and townhomes.

Homes in Bridgeport can be had for as little as $60,000 and there are some in the $1 to $1.5 million-plus range. But the bulk of Bridgeport single-family homes range from $150,000 to $600,000, while most condos fall between $130,000 and $350,000.

Transportation

Located just a few miles from the heart of downtown Chicago, Bridgeport is ideally located for the commuter. The area is served by three CTA trains, with the Red Line running along the Dan Ryan Expressway and through downtown from 95th Street to Howard, an Orange Line stop at Archer Avenue and Halsted Street that goes directly to Midway Airport, and the Green Line available just to the east at the Illinois Institute of Technology campus. Also convenient is the Halsted Street CTA bus, which runs from Halsted/79th north to Broadway and Waveland.

Shopping, dining and nightlife

With US Cellular Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox, located on the eastern boundary of Bridgeport, there are many pre and post-game dining options that cater to both White Sox fans and Bridgeport residents alike. Whether on the go at Morrie O’Malley’s Hot Dogs walk-up stand, sitting down for pizza or breaded steak at Ricobene’s or grabbing a post-game drink at Mitchell’s Tap, there is something for everyone in Bridgeport. Be sure to check out Pleasant House Bakery for delicious meat pies.

Schools

The Bridgeport area is immediately served by Armour Elementary School, Bridgeport Catholic Academy, Healy Elementary, Holden Elementary School, St. Barbara Grammar School, Santa Lucia School, James Ward Elementary, Vandercook College of Music. The Illinois Institute of Technology is also nearby, located to the east just across the Dan Ryan Expressway.