The name "Grand Crossing" comes from an 1853 right-of-way feud between the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway and the Illinois Central Railroad that led to a frog war and a crash that killed 18 people.

Due to the lack of safety at the crossing, trains made complete stops here and therefore industry developed around the area to cater to the railroad workers.

[2] Greater Grand Crossing was historically a railroad suburb made up of five, independently developed, older ethnic neighborhoods.

According to data from the 2014-2018 American Community Survey compiled by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, there were 30,805 people and 12,230 households in Greater Grand Crossing.

The Greater Grand Crossing community area has supported the Democratic Party in the past two presidential elections.