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Brighton Park

Brighton Park

Urban Core Neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois

Cook County 60608, 60632

Neighborhood Reviews
3.2
$296,514 Average Value
$235 Average Price per Sq Ft
15 Homes For Sale

Residential area with a strong community

The railyards along Brighton Park’s western edge hint at the neighborhood’s origins as a hub for warehouses and industrial activity in the Southside area of Chicago. But in the decades since the Industrial Revolution, the community’s evolved into a hub for residential life, offering a broad range of housing styles around the business corridor of Archer Avenue. “It’s a premier area in the Southside of Chicago that’s highly sought-after,” says Real Estate Agent Tish Herrera with Baird & Warner, who has over 20 years of experience. “The community has always been well-established and inhabited by a lot of professionals.”

Rows of single-family homes

Most of Brighton Park’s homes were built between the end of the 19th century and the mid-20th century, and multi-family properties are the most common living spaces here. Options range from Georgian-style two-flats and converted houses to contemporary condos and townhouses. Values range from about $165,000 to $545,000, with some exceptions going as high as $845,000. Single-family homes are a bit rarer than their multi-family counterparts. Home styles vary, including Chicago-style raised ranch homes with narrow, bungalow-like floorplans and traditional houses with brick or vinyl exteriors. Fixer-upper homes and as-is sales typically range from about $93,000 to $265,000. Renovated houses start at about $270,000 and top out at about $530,000.

Brighton Park Neighborhood Aerial Residential
Brighton Park Neighborhood Aerial Residential
Brighton Park Neighborhood Single Family Home
Brighton Park Neighborhood Single Family Home
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Important to know

According to the CAP Index, some categories of violent crime occur more frequently than the national average in Brighton Park. Community organizations such as the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council have organized mentorship programs and violence prevention efforts to improve the mental health and social well-being of residents.

Name-brand stores and local restaurants

Well-known brands along the main road include a Jewel-Osco for groceries just east of the neighborhood and a Ross for clothes and accessories near Pershing Road. Locals on the south end can also grab food supplies from the Pete’s Fresh Market near 47th Street and Kedzie or the Super Mercados El Güero y México at Archer and California Avenue. Independent shops in the neighborhood include Lucy’s, a boutique with contemporary fashion for women and men. Casual wear fills the racks and walls at Pants Box, where the slogan on the awning says it all: ‘Come In and Get In Our Pants.’ Additional mainstream stops such as Target, Aldi and Jewel-Osco are available along Pulaski Road, to the west of the neighborhood in Archer Heights. Checkerboard tile, a printed menu board and sizzling grills set the mood at Dino’s Carry-Outs, a take-out staple for gyros, burgers, Chicago dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. Café El Meson’s kitchen offers Puerto Rican breakfast specialties and coffeehouse selections, and locals can also stop by to browse the latest Spanish-language books on the shelves inside. Hearty meals await at stops like La Iguanita, a taqueria with an unassuming white exterior. The restaurant’s humble environment belies a menu with crisp tortillas, tender carne asada and sizzling fajitas.

Brighton Park Neighborhood La Iguanita
Brighton Park Neighborhood La Iguanita
Brighton Park Neighborhood Local Businesses
Brighton Park Neighborhood Local Businesses
Brighton Park Neighborhood Target
Brighton Park Neighborhood Target
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Movies in the summer at Kelly Park

On the corner of 45th Street and Western Avenue, Xavier’s Club is a hot spot for local nightlife. Guests can stop by on weekends for events like karaoke, themed parties and ladies’ nights, all with live DJ sets and rotating drink specials. Northwest of the neighborhood in the McKinley Park area, One City Tap hosts weekly trivia nights and open mic comedy. For family friendly outings, Kelly Park hosts movie screenings under the stars in the summertime.

A mix of public, private and charter schools

Brighton Park is home to 14 schools, including public, charter and private options for families to consider. On the neighborhood’s southwest end, Columbia Explorers Academy serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Parents can participate in school endeavors through visits to the Parent Advisory Committee or the Bilingual Action Committee for English and Spanish-speaking families. The school holds a B-minus grade on Niche. Kids continue on to the C-plus ranked Thomas Kelly Preparatory High School, an International Baccalaureate World School. The IB diploma program at the school focuses on building kids’ critical thinking skills and developing well-rounded students. Choices outside of the Chicago Public Schools system include Pope John Paul II Catholic School, a private school serving kids from pre-K through eighth grade. The school is currently unranked on Niche.

Brighton Park Elementary School strives to put the "bright" in Brighton with a colorful campus.
Brighton Park Elementary School strives to put the "bright" in Brighton with a colorful campus.
Students in Brighton Park are nurtured and challenged at Kelly High School.
Students in Brighton Park are nurtured and challenged at Kelly High School.
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Outdoor life at the Brighton Park Community Campus

Brighton Park is home to Kelly Park, a space on the community’s east side near California Avenue first established in the 1950s. A resident-led advisory council helped revive the park after a long period of gradual decay, bringing features like an artificial turf football field and an indoor pool to the community. Since 2023, the Chicago Park District itself has also called Brighton Park home. The park district’s headquarters sit on the Brighton Park Community Campus, a site converted from industrial space into a recreational space with an onsite fitness center, splash pad, playground and gymnasium. Locals can also schedule workout sessions at Lockout Fitness, a powerlifting-focused gym on Archer Avenue, or the LA Fitness center near Archer and Pershing Road. To the neighborhood’s immediate northeast, McKinley Park is one of the South Side’s premier spots for outdoor life. With more than 71 acres of space and connections to the city’s comprehensive boulevard system, the park is a beloved destination for bike rides, ice skating, tennis and indoor sports like gymnastics.

Brighton Park Neighborhood Park
Brighton Park Neighborhood Park
Brighton Park Neighborhood Kelly Park Playground
Brighton Park Neighborhood Kelly Park Playground
Brighton Park Neighborhood Park
Brighton Park Neighborhood Park
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Chicago subway stations and bus stops

Archer Avenue is Brighton Park’s central road for businesses and local traffic, while Interstate 55 runs along the north side of the neighborhood for long-distance trips. Residents are about 8 miles removed from the Loop, and I-55 provides the most straightforward course northeast to the heart of the city. In addition to being a prime spot for drivers, most of Brighton Park’s local bus routes run through Archer Avenue. Bus stops are also peppered along major roads such as Kedzie Avenue, Pershing Road and California Avenue. Orange Line ‘L’ train service is available at three nearby stops: the Kedzie and Western stations on the south end and the 35th/Archer station immediately northeast of the neighborhood. The nearest emergency room is at Mount Sinai Hospital, about 3 miles north near Douglass Park. Residents traveling beyond the Chicago area can catch flights from Chicago Midway International Airport, about 3 miles southwest of the neighborhood. The much larger Chicago O'Hare International Airport is 20 miles to the northwest.

Brighton Park Neighborhood Aerial Commercial
Brighton Park Neighborhood Aerial Commercial
Enjoy the proximity to shops and restaurants in Brighton Park.
Enjoy the proximity to shops and restaurants in Brighton Park.
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Tre Lyerly
Written By
Tre Lyerly
Chris Jeong
Photography Contributed By
Chris Jeong
Charles Kennedy
Video By
Charles Kennedy

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Nicolae Cazacu, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Chicago Midway International

8 min drive

Subway

Western Station (Orange Line)

Bus

Western & 35th Street

Bus

3426 S Kedzie

Bus

Kedzie & 41st Street

Bus

Western & Pershing

Bus

California & Pope John Paul Ii & 43rd St

Bus

Archer & Pershing & Rockwell

Bus

36th Street & Francisco

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.2 153 Reviews
3.0 Niche User
4/20/2015 Niche Review
The neighbors are respectful and mind their own business.
3.0 Current Resident
12/26/2017 Niche Review
I don't really like it here anymore. People are breaking into houses and one feels unsafe even though it's considered a "safer" neighborhood in this area. It is a minority community and while there is a lot of support from community members, the neighborhood could do a lot better.
2.0 Niche User
4/18/2015 Niche Review
The neighborhood isn't the best. There having been many warnings about crime happening near my area. I personally haven't seen any crime happen, but it does make me nervous at times.
3.0 Current Resident
9/28/2018 Niche Review
I like that there is a lot of things to do around and some great people living around the area. There is great Mexican food, great churches, good counsel, etc. However, it is a dangerous area. There are many gangs who reside here so there have been a lot of shootings. But one must remember to not let fear control one's life.
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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Brighton Park US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$289,000
Median Single Family Price
$300,000
Median Townhouse Price
$479,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$235
Number of Homes for Sale
15
Last 12 months Home Sales
57
Months of Supply
3.20
Median List Price
$299,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
7%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
3,154
Median Year Built
1921
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,211
Above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,110
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,650
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,049

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Nicolae Cazacu, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
33,337
Median Age
34
Population Density
18 ppl/acre
Population under 18
28.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.5%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$47,968
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$62,994

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
69.9%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
12.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.6%
% Population in Labor Force
63%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
40''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

59 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

82 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

57 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Brighton Park