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Pilsen

Pilsen

Urban Core Neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois

Cook County 60608

$488,133 Average Value
$306 Average Price per Sq Ft
8 Homes For Sale

A colorful trendy neighborhood

Pilsen is where variety thrives. The lifestyle here is certainly hip modernism mixed with Old World charm: the neighborhood is rich with bustling events but also traditional architecture. There’s an artsy angle, too, thanks to the prevalence of colorful murals. “If you’re living in Pilsen, you’re getting that true melting pot experience,” says Realtor Wendy Lee with EXIT Realty, who’s been an expert on the Chicago market for 20 years. “Keep in mind, though, as a result Pilsen is highly desirable area to move into. It’s not uncommon for properties in the top of the market to sell for millions of dollars.” Grigory Pekarsky, who founded Vesta Preferred Realty in 2009, agrees with Lee’s assessment. “Pilsen is one of the highest growth markets in Chicago,” he says. “What’s you’re seeing is development spilling over from the West Loop, pushing up values.”

Pilsen murals are known to be incredibly detailed.
Pilsen murals are known to be incredibly detailed.
Pilsen parks combine natural beauty with art that compliments wonderfully.
Pilsen parks combine natural beauty with art that compliments wonderfully.
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Global cuisine and vibrant cocktail bars

Award-winning restaurants are in abundance here — many with a Latin theme. But other eateries prove that Pilsen is all about eclecticism, like the Vietnamese restaurant HaiSous serving up crab fried rice and papaya salad. The Tack Room offers live piano music in a former carriage house, serving up cocktails in a rustic setting. For something with more flair, the '70s-themed Punch House permits customers to order cocktails by the punch bowl. Thalia Hall was modeled after the Prague Opera House and attracts indie music acts as well as comedians and DJs. For shopping, many small markets and bodegas are scattered throughout Pilsen. Residents can find the much larger Aldi and Cermak Fresh Market near the intersection of Ashland and Cermak. A Jewel-Osco is a little further north.

La Luna has a great bar to get drinks at in Pilsen.
La Luna has a great bar to get drinks at in Pilsen.
Azul 18 has great fish tacos and other breakfast items to choose from in Pilsen.
Azul 18 has great fish tacos and other breakfast items to choose from in Pilsen.
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European styles and modern condos

Just as Pilsen is visually eclectic at the streetscape level, featuring murals and small businesses interspersed with trees, so too are the houses eclectic. Condos with modern streamlined faces and loft conversions now mix with European-style homes. Many of those historical homes were built from the mid-1870s to the 1910s. Often they show up as long, narrow workers' cottages with peaked roofs or as two flats and three flats. Sleek brick facades frequently present an Italianate style, but searchers will also find Queen Anne homes here with colored brick and terra cotta panels. Prices also tend to vary widely. A renovated one-bedroom loft unit can sell for $250,000, while a two-bedroom condo unit or brick two flat can sell in the $425,000 to $550,000 range. Four-bedroom modern houses built in the late 2010s can peak into the million-dollar-range that Lee and Pekarsky speak of.

Brick housing is the most common in the Pilsen neighborhood.
Brick housing is the most common in the Pilsen neighborhood.
Most homes in Pilsen are made of brick.
Most homes in Pilsen are made of brick.
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Classic park amenities

The Benito Juarez Soccer Field is where residents go to blow off steam with a game. The almost 7-acre Dvorak Park provides a few other amenities, such as a swimming pool, playground and baseball field. The El Paseo Community Garden offers room to get earthy with a food forest, apiary and raised beds where residents can grow produce.

Pilsen parks have great places to skateboard.
Pilsen parks have great places to skateboard.
fields of Juarez football field and school
fields of Juarez football field and school
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Big festivals and small classes

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is held every November next to the National Museum of Mexican Art. It features memorial altars, folk dance performances and music. The Fiesta del Sol is the largest Latino festival in the Midwest. It's free, taking place over four days in late July. A large Ferris wheel can be seen from blocks away, live musical acts can be heard and over 100 vendors delight the tastebuds of visitors. Events with more regularity are also held, like Second Fridays, which offer open access to art galleries. The National Museum of Mexican Art also resides here. Founded in 1982, its collection contains more than 18,000 pieces, from ancient art to contemporary. The Pilsen Arts & Community House is committed to arts programming, including watercolor, embroidery and kids' drawing classes.

Artistic pursuits at Perez

Perez Elementary is a kindergarten through 8th grade institution, but only enrolls about 300 students, keeping the student-teacher ratio at 12-to-1. It’s considered a magnet school, with a focus on fine arts and the performing arts – very much in keeping with Pilsen’s colorful, artsy, urban character. It earns a C-plus overall from Niche. Variety continues at Juarez Community Academy, which is Pilsen’s largest high school. Students can join everything from a folk dance club to a robotics club. Campus is decorated with murals and sculptures that celebrate Mexican culture, too. Niche gives the school a C overall, but an A-minus in clubs and activities.

Manuel Perez Jr. Elementary School in Pilsen servers kids K through eight grade.
Manuel Perez Jr. Elementary School in Pilsen servers kids K through eight grade.
Benito Juarez Community Academy Is a High School located in Pilsen, Chicago.
Benito Juarez Community Academy Is a High School located in Pilsen, Chicago.
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Multiple transportation options

Residents can find convenient access to transportation routes in Pilsen, enhancing its appeal. A car isn’t necessarily crucial for commuters, but the neighborhood sits near Interstates 55 and 90. When it comes to the L, residents have access to the Pink Line – they can pick it up at West 18th Street, near the National Museum of Mexican Art. Western Avenue features a station served by the Metra bus, too. Otherwise, walkability is embraced in Pilsen, owing to the preponderance of sidewalks which are met by residential stoops.

The CTA Pink Line is conveniently located for Pilsen locals.
The CTA Pink Line is conveniently located for Pilsen locals.
Pilsen residents have access to a number of buses.
Pilsen residents have access to a number of buses.
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Paul Spencer
Written By
Paul Spencer
Jason Jacot
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Jason Jacot

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 Andrew Dorazio, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Chicago Midway International

14 min drive

Bus

18th Street & Laflin

Bus

Blue Island & 16th Street

Bus

18th Street & Carpenter

Bus

18th Street & Blue Island

Bus

18th Street & Sangamon

Bus

18th Street & Peoria

Bus

18th Street & Racine

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Pilsen US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 8 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$467,500
Median Single Family Price
$729,999
Median Townhouse Price
$602,450
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$410,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$261,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$306
Number of Homes for Sale
8
Last 12 months Home Sales
28
Months of Supply
3.40
Median List Price
$492,450
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
1%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
421
Median Year Built
1997
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,174
Significantly above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,113
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,325
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
864
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
2,178

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    11am - 1pm

    1013 W 16th St Unit 1W, Chicago, IL 60608

    $524,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1013 W 16th St
    • Unit 1W
    • New 1 day ago

    Modern move-in-ready 3 bed/2.1 bath duplex in hot East Pilsen with rare 2 parking spots (garage + outside tandem) and an oversized private deck - perfect for entertaining. Bright open layout with renovated kitchen featuring quartz waterfall island, new LG stove, and stainless steel appliances. Spacious primary suite with Luxe en suite bath and direct deck access. Fully-renovated lower level

    Luminita Ispas Century 21 S.G.R., Inc.

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    11am - 1pm

    2102 S May St, Chicago, IL 60608

    $1,275,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 3,000 Sq Ft
    • 2102 S May St
    • New 15 days ago

    Thoughtful gut renovation in Pilsen, on a double lot (2102 & 2104 S May St.) lives like new construction with a wider footprint. 4 Bedrooms... 3 1/2 Baths... High ceilings and natural light throughout!... Spacious home with 3,000 square feet of living space... Sleek minimal white stucco with black framed windows... Skylights... 7" solid white oak flooring throughout... 2 flights of custom solid

    Michael Kevorkian New Market Realty Inc

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    11am - 1pm

    2104 S May St, Chicago, IL 60608

    $989,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 3,000 Sq Ft
    • 2104 S May St
    • New 15 days ago

    Thoughtful gut renovation in Pilsen, lives like new construction with a wider footprint. 4 Bedrooms... 3 1/2 Baths... High ceilings and natural light throughout!... Spacious home with 3,000 square feet of living space... Sleek minimal white stucco with black framed windows... Skylights... 7" solid white oak flooring throughout... 2 flights of custom solid white oak floating stairs... Custom

    Michael Kevorkian New Market Realty Inc

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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 Andrew Dorazio, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
9,232
Median Age
35
Population Density
27 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.8%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$65,992
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$78,451

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
77.4%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
39.3%
Advanced Degrees
17%
% Population in Labor Force
71.6%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

96 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

95 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

66 / 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
Pilsen
Andrew Dorazio
Fitzgerald Real Estate Inc.
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