Belmont Cragin becomes Chicago's largest Hispanic neighborhood

A study by the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) reveals that Belmont Cragin has become the neighborhood with the largest Hispanic population in Chicago, surpassing traditionally Mexican areas such as La Villita and Pilsen.

Belmont Cragin is home to more than 57,000 Spanish-speaking residents. While Mexican residents remain the largest single group, the neighborhood has become increasingly diverse, with significant populations from Puerto Rico, Central America, and South America, including residents from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Ecuador.

The demographic shift is also reflected in the local economy. Fullerton Avenue, the neighborhood's main thoroughfare, has become Chicago's busiest commercial corridor, generating approximately $181 million in taxable sales in 2024. This figure exceeds the $177 million generated by the “Mexican Magnificent Mile” on 26th Street. The study suggests that gentrification and rising costs in other areas may be driving the movement of Latino residents toward neighborhoods like Belmont Cragin and Austin.