The area of East Side was long celebrated for its steel mills and settled predominantly by the many immigrants who labored in those mills. And although the mills are now gone, the district has withstood, thanks to the interest of community groups, such as East Side Pride and the Fair Elms Civic League and Homeowners Association, and the dedication of many homeowners who have improved their homes.

The property market in East Side has been stable and prices for both early 20th century and newer homes being built around the area have been on the rise lately. Home buyers are finding real value in Cape Cods, older bungalows and ranches on the East Side. The homes get bigger, newer, and more expensive as one travels north; above 114th Street, prices jump to around $250,000 for homes of more than 2,000 square feet. But there are also older brick homes of 1,000 to 1,100 square feet that, though the need some work, will sell for $100,000 to $125,000, and a comparable frame can sell for $90,000. Besides affordable housing prices, the neighborhood offers good schools, is convenient to the Loop and has a number of recreational opportunities along acres of lakefront green space beginning with Calumet Park and its historic field house.

The Cook County Forest Preserve’s Eggers Woods is nearby, and directly south of that in neighboring Hegewisch is Wolf Lake and the William W. Powers State Recreation Area. The Burnham Greenway, a bicycle trail built along a former railroad right-of-way that will eventually be linked with similar trails wanders through both the state recreational area and forest preserve.

In 2000, the population of East Side Chicago was 23,653. The demographics are 30% white and 68% Hispanic. The median home price in 2003 was $109,500.