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Horner Park

Horner Park

Urban Core Neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois

Cook County 60618

$935,794 Average Value
$428 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

A residential haven in Chicago's North Center

The yellows, browns and purples of golden alexander, cattails and giant purple hyssops line the banks of the Chicago River as it cuts through Horner Park. “There’s a path that meanders along the river where they’ve cleaned up along the bank, which makes it more accessible. It’s nice over there,” says Rob Munds, Realtor with Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty and a resident of nearby Southport. Joggers run along this trail as the sun sets, from mid-afternoon into early evening. While beyond them, Horner Park – the park itself – is bustling with activity, hosting Little League ball games and pick-up basketball games deep into the night. This neighborhood is also part of the greater North Center community area, one of Chicago’s oldest neighborhoods dating back to the early 1900s. It’s known to be one of the quieter riverside communities and is mainly residential but does feature a handful of commercial and retail venues sprinkled throughout.

Horner Park is located along the North Branch of the Chicago River.
Horner Park is located along the North Branch of the Chicago River.
There is live music at the Horner Brew Fest in Horner Park.
There is live music at the Horner Brew Fest in Horner Park.
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Year-round activity centered around Horner Park

Horner Park is not just the focal point of recreation for the neighborhood, the basketball and tennis courts, along with the baseball, soccer and football fields, attract players from across the North Center and the adjacent neighborhoods. For the less competitive, empty green spaces and playgrounds offer spots for play, while picnic spaces and trails offer relaxation and connection with nature. “The river gets used quite a bit,” says Munds. “My son worked at one of the kayak places. We’d go over there and just jump in a kayak for an hour or so, putz around a little bit.” Nearby, the smaller Revere Park also provides spaces for sports like tennis and baseball, and a playground. There’s also plenty to do here despite Chicago’s chilly winters. Residents can scale the rock climbing walls at Climb Zone Chicago, or head to Waveland Bowling, a local landmark marked by an iconic tower wrapped in neon lights. “We’re not a hang-out spot. We're a dedicated bowling space focused on the sport,” says Gary Handler, owner of Waveland Bowling. “We’ve hosted multiple Paralympics games here,” Handler adds, noting that the bowling alley opened in 1959 and has been locally owned and operated ever since.

The outdoor basketball court in Horner Park is a great place to play in the summer.
The outdoor basketball court in Horner Park is a great place to play in the summer.
There are unpaved trails in Horner Park which are great for running or walking.
There are unpaved trails in Horner Park which are great for running or walking.
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Housing for a range of needs

Those picturing high-rises towering over streets and blocking the sky are in for a surprise in Horner Park. Two-flats, low-rise condo and apartment buildings, and single-family bungalow and Prairie-styles dominate this neighborhood’s streets. Some newer builds – contemporary Traditional designs with stone and brick facades – have also sprouted up throughout the neighborhood in recent years, squeezing into the small open lot spaces. In Horner Park, lots are referenced by width and length – for example, a 40x125 lot would be 40 feet across and 125 feet deep. Few in the neighborhood are that size - most are only 25 to 30 feet wide - and most are densely packed together. Homes here regularly sit within 10 feet of each other, and porches are mere steps from the sidewalk. Condo units are also available and range from $250,000 to $700,000, while older single-family homes can sell from $550,000 to $1.4 million. Newer single-family homes, built since the turn of the millennium, get from $1.1 million to $2.2 million. Many feature a single-car detached garage, meaning families with multiple vehicles must rely on street parking.

There are a mixture of brick and wood framed homes in the Horner Park neighborhood.
There are a mixture of brick and wood framed homes in the Horner Park neighborhood.
Many homes in the Horner Park neighborhood have covered front porches.
Many homes in the Horner Park neighborhood have covered front porches.
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Top local schools and desirable test-in schools including Lane Tech

Munds, a father himself, acknowledges that the school system in Chicago can be difficult to navigate. “There are some test-in schools that are hard to get into, those are very coveted, and you have to get good grades, test well on the entrance exams – even then you’re not guaranteed, there’s thousands of people applying for a limited amount of spots,” he says. However, he points out that the area's public and private schools are well-regarded, and Niche backs that up. Three elementary schools serve the neighborhood and are home for kindergarten through eighth grade. Coonley Elementary, Waters Elementary and Bell Elementary all receive A-minus grades from Niche. Bell students can then head to Lake View as their corresponding high school, which earns a B-minus grade, while Waters and Coonley students head to Amundsen High School, which earns an A-minus. Test-in schools include Lane Tech College Prep High School, located within the neighborhood. It’s the largest school in Chicago by attendance and rated the seventh-best public high school in Illinois with a Niche grade of A-plus. Those looking for a private education can send their kids to nearby St. Benedict’s for kindergarten through Grade 8 and then on to DePaul College Prep for high school – both of which earn an A grade.

Horner Park students can attend Amundsen High School which received an A- rank on Niche.
Horner Park students can attend Amundsen High School which received an A- rank on Niche.
Lane Tech College Prep High School offers high quality learning in the Horner Park area.
Lane Tech College Prep High School offers high quality learning in the Horner Park area.
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Long-time neighborhood staples and newer tastes

“Burning Bush, it’s right on the river. You can sit on their back patio and see the river,” says Munds. The brewery is in the heart of the neighborhood and is a family-friendly spot with a reservable event space that opens up to the banks of the Chicago River. Lutz Bakery and Laschet’s Inn are a nod to the neighborhood's early days, reflecting the German roots that initially developed the area. Lutz features traditional European cakes, tarts, tortes and cookies, including strudel, kolachky and sacher tortes. Laschet’s features German fare, including appetizers like hackepeter and creamed herring, and mains including sausage platters, schnitzel and frikadellen – all washed down with a cold imported German beer and followed with a complimentary schnapps to aid digestion. For quicker meals, Taqueria 5 De Mayo is known for its steak burritos, while across the street, Jimmy’s Pizza Café serves up a Chicago rarity – New York-style pizza slices. ALDI is next door to pick up groceries.

Try out the new anniversary beer at Spring Fest at Burning Bush Brewery in Horner Park.
Try out the new anniversary beer at Spring Fest at Burning Bush Brewery in Horner Park.
Lutz Cafe and Pastry Shop in Horner Park offers a selection of European cakes and sweets.
Lutz Cafe and Pastry Shop in Horner Park offers a selection of European cakes and sweets.
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Lots of ways to get around Chicago with ease

West Irving Park Road cuts through the middle of the neighborhood and provides most of the community’s bus stops, allowing transit access to the rest of the city and leading to the nearby Kennedy Expressway. The expressway provides a route to downtown and west to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Considered the most connected airport in the United States, it’s 11 miles away. While the small size, flat terrain and wide sidewalks of this community make walking anywhere in the neighborhood simple and easy, folks mix and match transportation methods, says Munds, referring to the rental Divvy bikes and scooters whizzing up and down the streets. Most residents have a car but will walk, grab the bus, or even hop on the CTA Brown Line, with stops a few blocks north and a few blocks east of the neighborhood. (Some older residents might still call it the Ravenswood line, which predates the color-coding of the system in 1993). This is particularly true on Cubs game days – located only 2 miles away from Wrigley Field, Horner Park is home to one of the area's closest free parking lots. As a result, traffic on Irving can slow to a crawl on busier game days. Three 24-hour emergency care centers are within 3 miles of this community – Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital, Methodist Hospital, and Thorek Memorial – and all are a 10- to 15-minute drive away.

You can catch the CTA bus from the Horner Park neighborhood.
You can catch the CTA bus from the Horner Park neighborhood.
You can rent Divvy bikes from Horner Park.
You can rent Divvy bikes from Horner Park.
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Local and city-wide events with food and fun

Like many communities, the local Chamber of Commerce is heavily involved in putting on events for the neighborhood. The Horner Park Farmers Market takes place Saturday mornings from June through October, featuring baked goods, local meats and produce, cultural goods and ready-to-eat meals. Located at the top of Horner Park, it's regularly accompanied by music and community activities including free yoga. “There are tons of block parties,” says Munds. “Every weekend there’s a festival in the neighborhoods over the summer.” Horner Park residents get to enjoy the weekly market and events like Tiny Fest, Horner Brew Fest and RibFest Chicago, which are only a few blocks’ walk away for most. With easy access to transportation, residents can easily get out to enjoy downtown Chicago events too, like the famed St. Patrick’s Day festivities or Bears games to the Grant Park 165 NASCAR Cup Series Race that runs through the streets of Chicago just south of downtown.

There is live music played by local bands at Horner Park Farmers Market.
There is live music played by local bands at Horner Park Farmers Market.
Kids have a blast dancing and singing at Spring Fest at Burning Bush Brewery in Horner Park.
Kids have a blast dancing and singing at Spring Fest at Burning Bush Brewery in Horner Park.
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Crime

With a CAP Index score of 3, Horner Park is below the national CAP Index crime score of 4, with Sexual Assault getting the lowest possible score of a 1.

Andrew Tyson
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Andrew Tyson
Joe Kirsch
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Joe Kirsch
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Antoine Allen

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 Erik Schwab, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Chicago O'Hare International

19 min drive

Bus

Irving Park & Rockwell

Bus

2700 W Irving Park

Bus

Addison & Campbell

Bus

Addison & Talman

Bus

Irving Park & California

Bus

Irving Park & Campbell

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Horner Park US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$850,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,280,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$466,007
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$255,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$428
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
32
Months of Supply
1.10
Median List Price
$879,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
43%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
642
Median Year Built
1926
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
4,514
Significantly above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,872
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,316
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,484

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Rent

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

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
3,272
Median Age
39
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$154,330
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$170,917

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
95.3%
College Graduates
65.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
31.1%
% Population in Labor Force
87%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
40''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

72 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

74 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

61 / 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.

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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
Horner Park