There are a number of reasons to live on the South Side. The economic conditions that drew so many people to this part of Chicago were not sustainable. Mid-century industrial restructuring cost many jobs. The Civil Rights Movement brought many blacks to the city, but these same people left when they achieved middle-class jobs and began to educate themselves. Now, the South Side is a popular place to live for professional school graduate students from the University of Chicago.
The black population of Chicago increased with the Great Migration, and by 1910, 78% of its population lived in the black belt. In the early years, the South Side of the city covered about 30 blocks of State Street. As the population grew, it grew into a vibrant community. However, as the city grew and more whites emigrated from other parts of the city, more of them left the neighborhood.
Chicago's South Side is home to several landmark districts. One Museum Park West is the tallest building in the city. Another notable building in the South Side is the Hyde Park-Kenwood Historic District. The Hyde Park area also hosts several highrises. The South Side is also home to the Museum of Science and Industry, which is located in the Palace of Fine Arts, one of the few remaining buildings of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. The South Side is also the home to the Chicago Half Marathon, which is held annually on Lake Shore Drive. The 'L' is a popular commuter train for many Chicago residents.