Torrence Park helps residents through its community garden
Torrence Park is a small Decatur neighborhood with big community initiatives. Through the generosity of Millikin University students, the neighborhood has a thriving community garden, which helps to address widespread food insecurity in the area. The local elementary school is home to a Boys and Girls Club, which supports the well-being of young students, and nearby outreach centers help residents access what they need. The neighborhood's mid-19th-century homes are also within 2 miles of several major manufacturing employers, industrial businesses and downtown Decatur.
Vegetables from Ladybug Mountain and Boys & Girls Club programs
Torrence Park shares its name with its primary green space. The park offers sprawling open fields, a basketball court and a playground. In 2018, the Friends of Torrence Park organization created a nature trail and public community garden near the park. Colorful crosswalks and interactive signs guide visitors to Ladybug Mountain, where seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs bloom. "Torrence Park sits smack dab in the middle of a USDA-designated food desert, so one of our main goals for revitalization is to bring access to healthy food to the community," says Kenneth Laundra, professor of Sociology at Millikin University and creator of the Friends of Torrence Park. Each year, Laundra and his students maintain the garden, organize block parties and work with other organizations to improve the space. "I don't want to speak too soon, but it looks like an investor is about to put a couple $100,000 into the garden," Laundra says. "If it happens, it's going to be transformative for the community."
A few other recreational spaces are nearby. The Boys & Girls Club of Decatur supports kids with educational and athletic programs outside school hours. One mile away, Hess Park hosts the Redbird Rookies, a free baseball league for children aged 5 through 13. In addition to games and practices, the park hosts community events, like National Night Out.
Torrence Park is the namesake of the neighborhood.
Torrence Park is the namesake of the neighborhood.
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Torrence Park has open lots beside mid-19th-century homes
The neighborhood is mainly residential, and the ratio of renters to owners is more even than that of surrounding communities. Residents live in bungalows, Craftsman-style homes and American Foursquares from the 1950s. Prices range from $30,000 to $120,000, depending on the condition. Several vacant properties have been demolished, leaving open lots beside homes that create the illusion of larger yards. Large-bowed shade trees and low chain link fences add separation and privacy between neighbors. Not all homes have driveways, but street parking and alley access behind homes help bridge the gaps.
Residents of Terrence Park live in bungalows built in the 1950's.
Some homes in Torrence Park have fences for added privacy.
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Hope Academy is within walking distance of homes
Students can walk to school at Hope Academy just outside the neighborhood. The academy serves kindergarten through eighth-grade students and earns a C-minus on Niche. MacArthur High School and Eisenhower High School are roughly 2 miles away from the community, earning C-plus ratings. Both schools offer several career-focused programs, including an agricultural academy. Students are also within 2 miles of two private Catholic schools and two charter schools.
Hope Academy is an excellent school for all types of students.
Eisenhower High School has a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1.
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Limited shopping and dining but plenty of outreach
While some businesses are inside and near the community, retail and restaurant options are limited. Local organizations like Northeast Community Fund and Empowerment Opportunity Center help provide necessary resources to residents. The nearest restaurant is Debbie's Diner, an old-fashioned eatery serving hot coffee and American breakfast classics. The closest grocery store, Save A Lot, is over 1 mile away, and Downtown Decatur is within a 2-mile drive. Downtown has a variety of locally owned restaurants, bars and boutique shops along walkable streets. It also hosts city events, like a summertime concert series, in its central park.
Debbie's Diner is a local favorite serving American breakfast fare.
At Empowerment Opportunity Center, kids get a head start on their education.
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Religiously affiliated institutions also support the community
There are seven houses of worship within and around Torrence Park. Most are Christian denominations. One institution, Central Illinois Christians in Mission, serves the community by delivering food, donating household items and completing large-scale projects for families and organizations in need.
Church of Christ on Jasper Street is a community hub in Fans Field.
The October National draws a large crowd from around the country.
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Quick access to two major highways
Sidewalks make the neighborhood somewhat walkable, but most residents travel by car or bus. Stations are along North Jasper Street and East Grand Avenue, the neighborhood's main roads. Residents also have quick access to State Route 121 and Highway 36, primary thoroughfares connecting the entire city. Heavy traffic flow on these roads and nearby train lines increases noise levels throughout the community. Decatur Memorial Hospital is less than 3 miles away, and the Decatur Airport is 5 miles away.
Crime prevention tactics
Torrence Park's overall CAP Index crime score is 6 out of 10, higher than the national average of 4. Some categories of violent crime score as high as 9 out of 10. The City of Decatur Police Department's crime prevention unit uses neighborhood watch programs and anonymous reporting to reduce crime.
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
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Jim Fulgenzi,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Torrence Park
Transit
Airport
University of Illinois/Willard
65 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Torrence Park
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
8
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
37
Median Year Built
1949
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
728
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Jim Fulgenzi,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
508
Median Age
34
Population under 18
31.7%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$37,500
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$37,938
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
79%
College Graduates
4.1%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0%
% Population in Labor Force
51.9%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
34/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
33/ 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.
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.
