Right next to downtown Rock Island and the Mississippi River, Old Town Chicago is the city’s oldest neighborhood. It combines the Old Town addition from 1835 and the Chicago addition from 1836. Today, the revitalizing neighborhood’s historic homes and green spaces merge with a heavily industrialized riverfront. “Older homes attract people here, but everything is based on what the client is looking for,” says Alex Skeen, a Realtor with EXP Realty. “There’s plenty close to the area, like The District, which is what they call the downtown Rock Island area.” As most homes have passed the 100-year mark, city leaders and members of the West End Neighborhood Association have worked to upgrade available housing through the New Old Chicago Redevelopment initiative, driven by $4.4 million in money from the non-profit Economic Growth Corporation, or GROWTH. Thurgood Brooks, the West End Revitalization Coordinator for the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center grew up in the area. He says, “There’s a notion that Rock Island isn’t safe. But those stereotypes are further from the truth. It’s a great place to be around good people.”
Close to the industrial park, Old Town Chicago offers practicality for Rock Island's workforce.
Living in Old Town Chicago means being part of Rock Island's living history.
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Historic homes and new builds
The earliest homes in Old Town Chicago date back to the 1850s, though most were constructed in the early 1900s. They’re built just a few feet apart along grid-pattern streets with sidewalks. Workers' cottages and bungalows are the most common styles. Though many homes need to be repaired, several have been renovated through the redevelopment plan. The plan also included new homes built in 2014. About 67% of residents are renters, so homes don’t hit the market very often, as only two were sold in 2024. Updated homes have been listed or sold between $55,000 and $85,000. One of the newer houses sold for $170,000,
Simple comforts, community parks, and a touch of history in Old Town Chicago.
New homes in Old Town Chicago: Building the future while honoring Rock Island's past.
Older homes with a touch of history: Affordable options in Rock Island's Old Town Chicago.
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Trail networks and local green spaces
Along the Mississippi River, the Great River Trail runs 62 miles through three northern Illinois counties. Beginning in Savanna, the pathway follows old railroad lines in some places and is part of the 500-mile Grand Illinois Trail network. It ends at Sunset Park in Rock Island, only 7.5 miles from downtown Moline, and makes for a quick and pleasant bike ride. Martin Luther King Junior Park is the newest green space in Rock Island. It features picnic shelters, play equipment and a stage. It’s also across the street from the MLK Jr. Community Center, which hosts summer day camps and after-school programs.
The nearly 4,000-foot-long Centennial Bridge connects Rock Island to Davenport, Iowa. Opened in 1940 as a toll bridge, the bridge is known today as a scenic night spot thanks to numerous lights adorning it. It was renamed the Master Sargeant Stanley Talbot Memorial Bridge in 2017 but is still widely known by its former name. The bridge’s five arches represent the Quad Cities of Rock Island, Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline and East Moline. There’s a small park and visitor center on the Rock Island side, and the city’s nightlife neighborhood, called The District, is one block east.
The riverside path in Old Town Chicago: Rock Island's serene escape from daily life.
Fairhope Park in Old Town Chicago, Rock Island, Illinois.
The pavilion at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Old Town Chicago, Rock Island, Illinois.
The community center at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Old Town Chicago, Rock Island, Illinois.
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Rock Island Academy provides education for students of Rock Island, Illinois.
Rock Island High has the largest high school football stadium in Illinois
Elementary students attend Rock Island Academy, which earns a C from Niche. Kids who live west of Ninth Street go on to C-plus-graded Edison Jr. High School, while those east of Ninth Street head to Washington Junior High School, graded a B-minus. All students eventually end up back together at Rock Island High School, referred to as "Rocky" by locals. It earns a B-minus grade, is ranked the 13th-most diverse high school in the state, and has the largest high school football stadium in the state. Not only does it seat 15,000, but private skyboxes are available for rent.
Shop and eat in The District
There aren’t many restaurants or retailers in Old Town Chicago, but with downtown nearby, residents are never far away from them. Downtown has a variety of dining and entertainment options, including Nest Café. Nest stands for ‘Nourish Everyone Sustainably Together,’ and the restaurant takes that mission seriously. It provides sustainably sourced foods on a pay-what-you-can basis based on a customer’s financial situation. Nearby, the Awake Coffee Company specializes in craft-brewed coffee and handmade energy drinks. There are rotating drink specials to match the season, as well as breakfast sandwiches and paninis. Residents can shop locally for groceries at Healthy Harvest Urban Farms and T&T Asian Foods Market, or drive 2 miles to Hy-Vee for a broader selection.
From the Centennial Bridge to small community parks, Old Town Chicago feels like home.
Getting around the Quad Cities
MetroLink buses operate throughout Old Town Chicago, taking people all over the Quad Cities region. Illinois Route 92, aka Centennial Expressway, runs directly through the neighborhood. It leads 3 miles south to Interstate 280, which can be taken 7 more miles to Quad Cities International Airport. Four airlines operate out of the airport with flights to 10 domestic destinations.
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?
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Drake Hunter,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Sunset Park
Schwiebert Riverfront Park
Martin Luther King Jr. Park
Denkmann Park
Fairhope Park
Transit
Airport
Quad Cities International
17 min drive
Bus
13 St & 3 Ave
Bus
11 St & 3 Ave
Bus
15 St & 5 Ave
Bus
9 St & 4 Ave
Bus
11 St & 5 Ave
Bus
11 St & 7 Ave_01
Bus
7 St & 7 Ave
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Old Town Chicago
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
6
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
On average, homes in Old Town Chicago, Rock Island sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Old Town Chicago, Rock Island over the last 12 months is $55,000, down 46% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$55,000
Median Single Family Price
$55,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$100
Last 12 months Home Sales
1
Median List Price
$65,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
15%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-51%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
63
Median Year Built
1910
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,028
On par with the national average
1,936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,761
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Drake Hunter,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,130
Median Age
35
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$37,548
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$47,894
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
77.7%
College Graduates
13.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.8%
% Population in Labor Force
36.7%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
23''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
49/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
29/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
36/ 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.
