Calumet City is known to comedy fans as the setting of the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers,” while its smiley-face water towers have also appeared in several music videos. Beyond its references in pop culture, “Cal City,” as locals refer to it, offers a mix of urban and suburban living through ample shopping and dining opportunities and several ways to enjoy the outdoors. Major industries like retail, education and Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad support this Illinois-Indiana border city of 34,000. “It’s a working-class city with a diverse community,” says Hollice Clark, executive director of Calumet Memorial Park District. “The people are friendly and willing to help their neighbor.”
Calumet City is a suburban enclave far enough from Chicago to have a lower cost-of-living.
Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad support this Illinois-Indiana border city of 34,000.
Calumet City is famous for being the setting for the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers".
A beautiful row of homes showcases popular home styles of Calumet City.
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Nature preserves, Hammond Civic Center and a local aquatic park
Nature preserves in the city’s central and northern portions offer space to explore local wildlife. The recently renovated Edison Park and several other small community parks feature playgrounds for children to run loose. Little ones also take to Lansing Old Timers Field’s athletic facilities for Little League practices and games. Locals can spend warm summer days at River Oaks Golf Course or Green Lake Family Aquatic Center. When cold Illinois winters arrive, residents can partake in Calumet City Public Library’s indoor programming opportunities.
Hammond Civic Center keeps locals entertained throughout the year, from Orak Shrine Circus Spectaculars to occasional concerts and seasonal crafts shows. Calumet City also hosts several city-wide gatherings, like its Juneteenth Celebration and Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in late November.
The Sand Ridge Nature Center has interactive exhibits for Calumet CIty residents.
Learn more about nature at Juneteenth Celebration.
Hammond Civic Center keeps locals entertained throughout the year with concerts and events.
At River Oaks Golf Course, Calumet City residents can enjoy playing on a beautiful course.
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Misch Brothers Food Store sausage and Torrance Avenue errand runs
Locally owned eateries and international markets like Misch Brothers Food Store dot the city. "People come from all over for Misch Brothers’ Polish sausages," says Kristin Trzoski, a Realtor with Advanced Real Estate who grew up in the city. "Neighbors line up outside around the holidays to get some before they run out." Big-name stores and chain restaurants fill developments along Torrance Avenue on the city’s south side. River Oaks Center and its 60-plus indoor retailers also sit along the corridor.
Misch Bros are known for their meat selection and polish sausages.
Cal City Bakery is a go to for residents for delicious baked goods.
When it’s time to go shopping in Calumet City, River Oaks Center has retail favorites.
Big Box stores like JCPenney are located in Calumet City.
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A mix of mid-to-late 20th-century homes
Calumet City’s median home price is $160,000. “It’s a great place to live for those commuting into Chicago,” says Kristin Trzoski. “You can get away more house for your money here.” Mid-to-late 20th-century suburbs comprising Chicago bungalows, ranch and split-level-style homes make up the city’s residential landscape. These properties typically sell between $100,000 and $300,000. Townhomes and condos built during the same era are also available closer to the city's outskirts and range in price from $50,000 to $200,000, depending on size and condition.
Condos are a popular home style in Calumet City.
A row of brick homes displaying popular home styles of Calumet City.
A row of townhomes for those in Calument City who would prefer this home.
Split-Level homes are a common home type in Calumet City.
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Several school districts serve Calumet City
Calumet City School District 155 receives a C-minus rating from Niche. It serves most of the city's elementary and middle school students alongside D-rated Dolton School District 149. B-minus-rated Thornton Fractional Township High School District 215 and C-plus-rated Thornton Township High School District 205 teach the area’s older students. Local private and charter options include Montessori Children’s School and Hammond Academy of Science and Technology. Those seeking higher education can attend South Suburban College or Ivy Tech Community College.
Thorton Fractional North High in Calumet City has 1,357 students in grades 9-12.
Thornton Township High School is part of Harvey School District 152.
Hammond Academy of Science & Technology is located in Hammond.
Ivy Tech Community College offers support for financial aid.
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Interstate 94 connections and Windy City commutes
Interstate 94 runs just west of the city, connecting residents to Chicago 23 miles north and east through Indiana. Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s South Shore Line runs through Hegewisch Station Burham just north, providing daily commuters 35-minute rides into the Windy City. 20 miles northwest, Chicago Midway International Airport offers flights out of the region. Pace Suburban Bus stops along the city’s mainline roads service local travel. UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital is an 8-mile trip west for medical care. The hospital also has a small emergency campus closer to home, on Torrance Road.
Calumet City's crime statistics and flooding concerns
Per the FBI, violent and property crimes in Calumet City are generally higher than the national average. However, these crime statistics also point to an 8-year downward trend for both types of crime, including a 21% decrease in violent crimes from 2022 to 2023.
According to the city’s official website, properties and roads along the Little Calumet River are susceptible to overbank flooding following heavy rainfall. Storms can also cause occasional blockages in sewers across the city, which can lead to yard ponding and basement leaks. The website includes more in-depth information and resources regarding flood preparedness.
Shunte is an expert real estate agent with Majestic Real Estate Company in Chicago, IL and the nearby area, providing home-buyers and sellers with professional, responsive and attentive real estate services.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
