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Spatial Data Resources

Common GIS Base Layers for Chicago

A brief list of GIS datasets to get you started on a Chicago-based project. See Spatial Data Online and Spatial Data in the Library for more data sources.

Census Boundaries

Census Tracts 2010
View and export Chicago's 2010 census tracts. Tracts are made of Block Groups. Tracts align with most, but not all, of Chicago's 77 Community Areas.
Census Blocks 2010
View and export Chicago's 2010 census blocks. Dataset includes block group numbers. Tracts are made of Block Groups.

Census Tract to Community Area Equivalency File
This spreadsheet lists Chicago census tracts and which community area they fall within.

Community Areas

Community Areas 2018
Chicago has 77 Community Areas for gathering statistics and planning. Most, but not all, Community Areas align with census tract boundaries.

Ward Boundaries

Ward Boundaries 2015
View and download ward boundaries. Ward boundaries often respect census blocks, but not tracts.
Ward Boundaries 1830-1930
The Historical Urban Ecological (HUE) data set hosted by the National Bureau of Economic Research includes Chicago ward data from 1830 to 1930.

Zip Codes Boundaries

Zip Codes 2020
View and export Chicago's zip codes.

City Boundaries

City Boundaries 2017
View and export the Chicago's city boundaries.
City Boundaries 1930
Chicago boundaries shapefile hosted by the Library.
City Boundaries 1933
City boundaries shapefile hosted by the Library.
City Boundaries 1920
Chicago boundaries shapefile hosted by the Library.
Chicago Boundaries 1910
Chicago boundaries shapefile hosted by the Library.

Streets

Streets 2017
Chicago street centerlines as of 2017, hosted by the Chicago Data Portal.
Streets 1830-1930
The Historical Urban Ecological (HUE) data set hosted by the National Bureau of Economic Research includes Chicago street centerline data from 1830 to 1930.

Sanitation System

Sanitation System 1830-1930
The Historical Urban Ecological (HUE) data set hosted by the National Bureau of Economic Research includes Chicago sanitation system data from 1830 to 1930.

Subjects: Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences
Updated: Oct 4, 2023 1:38 PM
URL: https://guides.lib.uchicago.edu/spatial-data
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