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Lake Meadows

Lake Meadows

Neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois

Cook County 60616

$339,492 Average Value
$167 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Breathing life back into Lake Meadows

In the 1940s, the Lake Meadows community had accumulated 100 acres of deteriorating housing projects constructed by the Chicago Housing Authority. When the city’s Land Clearance Commission leveled the area, it was left to the Chicago Park District and Board of Education to breathe life back into the remaining community. From the development of Lake Meadows Park to the construction of John J. Pershing Elementary Humanities Magnet School, the neighborhood was almost entirely revamped. Today, well-loved parks, renovated condominiums, townhouses and single-family homes occupy the land, setting the scene for a promising future. “In this part of the South Side, it seems like there’s new construction every day,” says Shaena Flanagan, a nearby Oakland resident and Luxury Property Specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty. “People investing or looking at homes take advantage of the lakefront. I’ve been in Chicago for 8 years, so I can confidently say the neighborhood is still growing.”

Lake Meadows is located near the historic Bronzeville neighborhood.
Lake Meadows is located near the historic Bronzeville neighborhood.
Friends enjoy a fall afternoon near the Lake Meadows neighborhood.
Friends enjoy a fall afternoon near the Lake Meadows neighborhood.
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From elevators to front stoops

Lake Meadows comprises apartment buildings overlooking the neighborhood’s sprawling parks and industry hubs. In turn, the majority of residents are renters. Curved avenues weave between high-rise developments and their complementary parking lots, though not all these structures are exclusively rentable. Condominiums constructed in the midcentury flaunt contemporary architecture, offering units priced between $170,000 and $300,000. Alcoves of townhomes feature attached garages, driveways and modest yards fenced in with wrought iron gates. Ranging in price from $370,000 to $570,000, the townhouses of Lake Meadows are within walking distance of Groveland Park and its accompanying public transit stops. Single-family homes, though rare, similarly occupy their own enclave by the Metra tracks. These rowhomes vary between modern architecture and Queen Anne styles, including bay windows, front stoops and detached garages out back, priced from $400,000 to $700,000.

Lake Meadows features a very select few amount of townhouses.
Lake Meadows features a very select few amount of townhouses.
Lake Meadows has wide open lawns spacing out the various towers.
Lake Meadows has wide open lawns spacing out the various towers.
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A taste of Chicago’s South Side

Despite being so close to Bronzeville’s cultural hub of restaurants and small businesses, Lake Meadows doesn’t offer many go-to spots within walking distance. Residents from surrounding neighborhoods flock to the Lake Meadows Shopping Center, located on the corner of 35th Street and Martin Luther King Drive. There, chain eateries like Culver’s and White Castle encircle Jewel-Osco, Walgreens and LA Fitness. But the plaza’s chains are sometimes passed up in favor of locally-owned businesses like Bronzeville Hoagie & Panini. The Black-owned eatery recently opened in 2023, paying homage to the South Side with clever hoagie recipes named after 35th Street and Bronzeville. Situated about a mile south, Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles serves up classic soul food, including fresh collards, fried catfish and cornbread. Bike lanes and bus stops along Martin Luther King Drive help residents reach these local haunts with ease.

Lake Meadows Shopping Center offers residents easy conveniences.
Lake Meadows Shopping Center offers residents easy conveniences.
Lake Meadows Shopping Center has stores for everything you might need.
Lake Meadows Shopping Center has stores for everything you might need.
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Decades worth of investment in Lake Meadows’ recreation scene

Lake Meadows Park is flanked by Metra tracks to the east, Aramark headquarters to the north and condos to the west. But community members make the most of the space, even using surrounding parking lots for street hockey practice. The 8-acre park provides ample field space, basketball courts, a playground, walking paths and single-use bike rentals near the entrance. Immediately south are the 33rd Street tennis courts, home of the Chicago Prairie Tennis Club. Founded in 1912 by a small group of locals paving the way for the Black community in competitive sports, the club today sponsors scholarships and fundraisers to make tennis more accessible to all kids. However, Lake Meadows' biggest draw is its proximity to Burnham Park, an expansive shoreline green space overlooking Lake Michigan. Paved trails wind between the skate park and playground, leading to 31st Street Beach, a manufactured sandy oasis sandwiched between Chicago's famous concrete beach slabs. The Lakefront Trail passes through, taking cyclists on a scenic waterfront route 3 miles north to The Loop.

Lake Meadows has a large baseball field surrounded by mature trees.
Lake Meadows has a large baseball field surrounded by mature trees.
Workout at the gym in Burnham (Daniel) Park.
Workout at the gym in Burnham (Daniel) Park.
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A historic high school & a groundbreaking university

Students in the Bronzeville area attend Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Lake Meadows residents are specifically zoned for John J. Pershing Elementary Humanities Magnet School, a K-8 institution with a C on Niche. The school’s STEAM-based curriculum integrates the arts into STEM courses within an interactive classroom setting, contributing to Pershing’s status as a Lighthouse School. Wendell Phillips Academy High School earns a C-minus on Niche, an official Chicago Landmark that opened in 1904. Known as the oldest historically Black high school in the city, Wendell Phillips Academy was the alma mater of many prominent figures, including Gwendolyn Brooks, Nat “King” Cole and even the Savoy Big Five—the original members of the Harlem Globetrotters. “They have a high rate of kids attending college, which is really good for CPS,” Flanagan says. “Chicago is such an old city, and they’re one of the few schools that actually has access to the latest technology.” Additionally, Lake Meadows sits a mile east of the Illinois Institute of Technology, a private research university founded in 1890. The campus is notable for its modern architecture and advanced research, which has produced profound innovations, including the country’s first industrial nuclear reactor.

Phillips Academy High School is located in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.
Phillips Academy High School is located in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.
Pershing4
Pershing4
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Walkable CTA bus stops & trains

While the neighborhood’s parks are highly walkable, residents won’t find many amenities or attractions within a mile radius of Lake Meadows. However, the area is packed with Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus stops, primarily along 35th Street and Martin Luther King Drive. Those preferring train service can catch the Metra at 27th Street station for the 3-mile commute into Downtown Chicago. Alternatively, 35th Street’s Bronzeville station is the nearest L train stop, part of the Green Line that heads north to The Loop and south to Cottage Grove Avenue. Out-of-state travelers typically fly out of Chicago Midway International Airport, 9 miles west. As of 2024, the nearest emergency room and health services are at Insight Hospital & Medical Center in the Motor Row District. But Lake Meadows will soon house the brand-new, 26,000-square-foot Bronzeville Health Center on 31st Place, set for completion in early 2025. The outpatient healthcare center will provide primary care for all ages, including therapeutic services for mental health and rehabilitation.

Lake Meadows is right off Lake Shore Drive making it an easy trip to the downtown area.
Lake Meadows is right off Lake Shore Drive making it an easy trip to the downtown area.
Lake Meadows is great for commuters who use the bus to get around the city.
Lake Meadows is great for commuters who use the bus to get around the city.
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Festivities at Millenium Park and the heart of Bronzeville

With convenient access to CTA buses and trains, residents of Lake Meadows are well positioned to reach The Loop for any number of Chicago’s buzzing annual events. From celebrations of music at the Chicago House Music and Blues Festivals at Millenium Park to celebrations of food at Ribfest and Greek Fest at Lincoln Park, residents can easily benefit from their proximity to the downtown scene. But closer to home, Bronzeville itself is known to host community celebrations, including Bronzeville Summer Nights. The summertime series features live performances from local musicians and a series of South Side vendors, including the Faie African Art Gallery, Bronzeville Boutique and Harold’s Chicken #34. Each August, the Bronzeville Jazz & Music Festival honors the city’s rich jazz history with up-and-coming performers, food trucks and family-friendly entertainment.

The Loop is located at the epicenter of downtown Chicago.
The Loop is located at the epicenter of downtown Chicago.
The Art Institute
The Art Institute
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Dana Chesser
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Dana Chesser
Kyo Nguyen
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Kyo Nguyen

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 Kimberly Chase-Harding, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Chicago Midway International

18 min drive

Bus

King Drive & 33rd Street

Bus

Rhodes & 33rd Place

Bus

35th Street & King Drive

Bus

33rd Place & Cottage Grove

Bus

31st Street & Rhodes

Bus

Lake Meadows Shopping Center

Bus

33rd Place & Rhodes

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Lake Meadows US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$236,520
Median Single Family Price
$641,000
Median Townhouse Price
$425,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$183,270
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$110,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$167
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Months of Supply
2.00
Median List Price
$195,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
9%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
64%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
205
Median Year Built
1986
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,500
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,182
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,086
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
840

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 Kimberly Chase-Harding, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
3,766
Median Age
36
Population Density
19 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$54,673
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$58,847

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.3%
College Graduates
51.4%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.7%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

84 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

66 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

60 / 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
Lake Meadows