$320,547Average Value$189Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Lakefront living at its finest in the rural reaches of northwest Chicagoland
Midwestern tranquility is the catch of the day in East Island Lake. This community gets its name from the man-made lake that sits along the McHenry and Lake County line. With a limit of 10 horsepower for boats and watercraft, Island Lake is best suited for easygoing activities like canoeing and fishing, which goes hand-in-hand with the area’s laid-back approach to living. The area has a diverse housing market from decades of gradual growth and a multitude of lakeside parks for lazy days on the shore. “There are no big box stores in town, but it’s ten, fifteen minutes from anything you could ever want,” says Pattie Taylor, managing broker with Re/Max Plaza. Taylor has sold homes in both counties for more than 40 years.
East Island Lake features a number of small lake activities.
Fishers and boaters will appreciate East Island Lake's accessible waters.
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Shoreline access to Island Lake
East Island Lake sits right next to Island Lake, the centerpiece of the community. Ducks and geese are a common sight along the shores of the lake, and locals may find bluegills, channel catfish or largemouth bass on fishing trips. Five of the area’s parks sit along the lakeside, including South Shore Beach, a public beach access area near Shore Drive. Channel Park has a playground and a small picnic area by the water. Just south of the neighborhood, Converse Park is a reliable neighborhood park with a walking trail and play area, but locals can also stop by for events throughout the year. “The folks out here used to call it Castle Park because there’s a big castle in the middle of it. It’s been completely redone recently,” Taylor says.
East Island Lake waterfront homes are very sought after and usually feature amazing views.
East Island Lake residents can use the areas water features to get from house to house.
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Lakeside homes and varied options north of Chicago
Home styles in East Island Lake vary widely, reflecting the growth of the community from the early 20th century to the present. Single-family homes nearby include 1940s and 1950s-era houses with a mix of craftsman and midcentury modern influences, transitional ranch-style and split-level homes from the 1960s through the 1980s, and contemporary homes with new traditional stylings from the 1990s to the present. Prices range from about $140,000 for renovation-ready homes up to about $550,000 for turn-key homes, either built within the last 20 years or on large lots. Multi-family living options include a select number of townhomes on the south end of the community. These generally date back to the 1990s, with a similar new traditional style to single-family homes from that era. Prices for these range from about $200,000 to $250,000.
East Island Lake waterfront properties usually have small docks to access the water.
East Island Lake has a signature road that runs through it.
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Live music at Converse Park and bowling nights at Sideouts
Just south of the neighborhood on State Road, Converse Park is a hub for village get-togethers on the east side of Island Lake. Residents gather for events such as the annual sled race in January and the summer concert series. Additional events, such as the annual tree lighting and Earth Day expo, happen at the Village Hall on Greenleaf Avenue. For year-round hangouts, 3D Sideouts Sports Tavern is a local bar with an outdoor amphitheater, sand volleyball, 20 bowling lanes and a full-service restaurant. To the north in McHenry, the Vixen offers a mix of tribute shows, touring musicians and comedy acts, while the McHenry Outdoor Theater brings the old-school drive-in theater vibes to current-day film releases.
Converse Park is popular for residents of East Island Lake.
Sideout's is an all day hotspot in East Island Lake.
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Local businesses along Illinois Route 176
Most of the area’s immediately accessible businesses are situated along East State Road. Betty Boop-themed décor fills the walls at Island Lake Café, a diner with all-day meal options and rotating specials. “It’s been a mainstay of the community for years,” Taylor says. At El Norteño, papel picado banners and a shaded patio accompany Mexican dishes and cocktails, while Hunan Gourmet offers carry-out Chinese dishes with a classic picture menu front-and-center. Familiar chain restaurants available nearby include Nancy’s Pizzeria, Culver’s and McDonald’s, while close stops for everyday shopping include Dollar General and Walgreens stores. More options are available in surrounding communities, including a Jewel-Osco in Wauconda to the east, Target and Walmart stores in Crystal Lake to the southwest and multiple shops and dining options in downtown McHenry.
East Island Lake residents can have a great meal outside at El Norteno.
Island Lake Cafe has a great reputation in East Island Lake.
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Educational experiences at Wauconda Community Unit Schools
Kids in the East Island Lake area attend schools within the Wauconda Community Unit School District 118. Elementary-level students attend Cotton Creek School, which has a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and earns a B grade on Niche. Matthews Middle School earns a B-minus grade. Wauconda High School offers extracurricular activities such as an annual fall musical, a newspaper and 35 athletic programs. The school earns a B-plus grade on Niche.
Cotton Creek School serves grades PK and K-5 in the East Island Lake community.
Wauconda High serves the East Island Lake community.
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Reach Chicago by car or with Metra park-and-ride trains
East Island Park is about 22 miles north of Elgin and 52 miles northwest of Chicago. Illinois Route 176/East State Road is the area's main highway on the south side, and other major thoroughfares include Dowell Road, West Burnett Road and Eastway Drive. For commutes into other parts of the northern Illinois area, the Pingree Road Metra station is about 8 miles southwest of the neighborhood with a 1 hour and 4-minute ride into Chicago. The nearest hospital, Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, is 7 miles northwest of the neighborhood in McHenry. Domestic and international flights depart from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, 32 miles southeast of East Island Lake, and Chicago Midway International Airport, 55 miles southeast.
Important things to know
In addition to sharing its school district with Wauconda, East Island Lake residents also receive several other services from the neighboring village, including the Wauconda Fire District, the Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry and the Wauconda Area Public Library. “They’re kind of like sister communities,” Taylor says. Some residential areas in Island Lake have high scores on the First Street Foundation’s Flood Factor index. Buyers should consider a property’s insurance coverage and adherence to local code when making real estate decisions.
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
Dawn Sullivan,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Converse Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Eastway Park
Boating
Lake
Picnic Area
Sedgebrook Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Tennis
Channel Park
Trails
Playground
Forest Park
Lake
Multi-Purpose Field
Prairie Woods Park
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Greenleaf Park
Multi-Purpose Field
Brier Beach
Channel Park
Transit
Airport
Chicago O'Hare International
50 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
East Island Lake
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in East Island Lake, Island Lake sell after 15 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in East Island Lake, Island Lake over the last 12 months is $305,662, consistent with the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Opportunity Knocks! Bring your vision to 223 S. Shore Drive in Island Lake. This 3-bedroom, 1-bath fixer-upper sits on two spacious lots and offers endless potential. With approximately 628 sq ft of living space, this home is ready for a complete makeover. Enjoy charming lake views from across the street and the peaceful setting of this quiet neighborhood. An oversized detached 1-car garage
***Seller will entertain any reasonable offer*** LAND IS BUILDABLE PER VILLAGE OF ISLAND LAKE. Beautiful lakefront property with gorgeous views of Island Lake, boat launch, and park! Lots were recently combined to one pin number. Huge savings by having electric, sewer, and water already to property to make it easier to build your dream home with easy access to the lake! Fantastic community to
Live-work opportunity. 4147 sf hillside ranch house on 19 acres zoned for office or industrial with 2 outbuildings. Current owner ran a commercial print shop out of one building. 10 acres being farmed. Cell tower not included--rights have been sold. See virtual tour. Potential to lease entire property. Zoning allows horses (riding and boarding) and nursery/greenhouses with a special use permit.
Always dreamed of living on the water? Custom built 1 story on beautiful Island Lake! Enjoy boating, fishing and swimming or winter snowmobiling, ice fishing and skating on the lake. Enjoy relaxation and recreation on the sand beach and large pier with a spacious double lot great for entertaining. Great open floor plan with modern layout. Home features 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths with over 1800
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dawn Sullivan,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,154
Median Age
42
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$90,889
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$111,397
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.5%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
32.2%
Advanced Degrees
10.7%
% Population in Labor Force
74.3%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
28''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
4/ 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.
