$81,498Average Value$114Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
A South Rockford neighborhood planting firm roots
Rockford residents leaving downtown over the Winnebago Street bridge are greeted by a sign welcoming them to “Ethnic Village.” During its industrial heyday, Rockford was a temporary or permanent home for families of immigrants to the United States, many of whom settled in this section of the city. "It's an older neighborhood and it was, at one time, a pretty big Italian area, but not as much now," says Matt Koch, Realtor with Gambino Realtors and Rockford resident. Though new families have settled into the suburban city neighborhood, the name has stuck around, with generations-long residents creating new ways to honor the area's past. The sign at the entrance is just one of these efforts, along with Immigrants Park, the surrounding green space. Some residents live within view of the dual towers of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, a historic structure established following the second wave of Italian immigration in the early 1900s. The most recent neighborhood efforts target concerns like street lighting and aim to create a safe, strong community for all residents as homeowners stay longer and create far-reaching livelihoods.
Rockford Residents are greeted by a sign welcoming them to “Ethnic Village".
Cunningham Street Ethnic Village is an older neighborhood in Rockford, IL.
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Neighborhood restaurants and community meeting spots
Gone are the days of Maria’s Italian Cafe, one of the Ethnic Village's historic businesses where residents and visitors once lined up outside for their morning fix of coffee and breakfast for nearly a century before closing in 2013. While the cottage-like exterior still stands vacant on Cunningham Street, other restaurants carry on the neighborhood's Italian roots. Zammuto's Drive-In & Carry-Out has residents covered on hot summer nights for granita and ice cream, along with to-go foods. Families enjoy Sunday breakfasts or the Friday Fish Fry together at the St Ambrogio Society, which started as a club for folks immigrating from Ferentino, Italy, Rockford’s official sister city. As for groceries, folks often venture 1.5 miles north to the Save a Lot on West State Street or La Chiquita, a Mexican grocery store on the south end with a built-in restaurant. The Rock River Valley Pantry offers food and produce from local farms for those in need of extra support.
Luichi's Hot Dog is a neighborhood staple serving authentic Chicago hotdogs.
There are many carry-out restaurants in Cunningham Street Ethnic Village.
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Old homes south of downtown Rockford
Like most of Rockford’s central areas, the homes in Cunningham Street Ethnic Village have stood the test of time. Some properties sit adjacent to empty lots where homes may have been torn down years prior due to blight. Cunningham Street Ethnic Village’s CAP overall crime score is 5, compared to the US average of 4; however, it scores an 8 for other violent crimes. But unlike other parts of Rockford, homes rarely go on sale in Ethnic Village. "There are some investors that are buying up those houses, and some are old school family members that have been there forever," Koch says. "The longer it goes on, the more [the neighborhood] is turning over to a new generation." Rows of Cape Cods and ranch-style homes line Blake Street, though both can also be found throughout the community alongside bungalows with screened-in front porches and National Folk homes. Without a homeowners association, residents are free to plant vegetable or flower beds in the front yard or paint their front steps bright red. Concrete driveways are often full of cars, but those streets with more tightly packed homes rely more on street parking—something that can fill up on Sundays for services at Mt Goshen Full Gospel Baptist, Victory Outreach Church of Rockford or Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, all located in the neighborhood. Prices range from $65,000 for a fixer-upper being sold as-is to $130,000 for duplexes, some with paying tenants.
Cunningham Street Ethnic Village has generations-long residents.
Cunningham Street Ethnic Village is a very walkable neighborhood with sidewalks.
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Getting downtown by RMTD bus or car
Ethnic Village is about 1 mile from the employers and entertainment venues in downtown Rockford, though residents will likely need wheels to get there. Spotty sidewalks and distance from essentials make for a Walk Score of 47 out of 100. Luckily, Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) buses make stops throughout the community on main roads like Morgan Street and Winnebago Street. Residents head farther east to reach healthcare at UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital. It’s a 5-mile trip south to commercial flights at Chicago Rockford International Airport.
Cunningham Street Ethnic Village sits along Rock River.
The homes in Cunningham Street Ethnic Village have stood the test of time.
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Neighborhood parks and Rockford recreation
Many of the neighborhood’s residents are within walking distance to one of several neighborhood parks. Booker Washington Park playground and tennis courts are located on the community’s east side, as part of the larger Booker Washington Community Center, the oldest African American community center in Illinois. To the west are the Liberty Park splash pad and baseball diamond, and a bit farther in that direction lies Levings Park, where wakeboarders skirt the top of Levings Lake amid the sound of occasional live music. The Mandeville Park batting cage and basketball courts sit along Montague Street on the neighborhood’s south border. Beyond these local green spaces, Rockford’s vast city parks have earned its “City of Gardens” title—like Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, where paved paths navigate through blooms and rotating sculpture exhibits across 155 acres.
Enjoy a scenic day at the Anderson Japanese Gardens event Tuesday Evening in the Gardens.
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens has guided tours.
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Family-friendly events and a relic of Victorian life
Rockford Public Library’s Montague Branch is a close neighbor to the Ethnic Village, and residents can visit for the occasional Tales and Tunes Storytime—though more events are held at the brand-new Main Branch overlooking the Rock River downtown. There is something on the calendar for members almost every night at the Saint Ambrogio Society building, including weekly bocce games and a Feast Week each summer. Locals head over the Winnebago Street bridge to downtown Rockford for concerts at the indoor BMO Center or performances at Coronado Theatre, but free summertime concerts are closer to home at Levings Park. The completion of Levings Unity Pavilion welcomes Sunday performances from concert series like Domingos en el Parque, a summer 2024 installment showcasing the talents of Rockford’s Latino community. Meanwhile, locals and visitors head east on Blake Street right to the grounds of Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, one of the rare examples of Swiss architecture in the United States. Besides offering a window into Victorian life, the estate today has taken on another role: a hotspot for paranormal tours, spurred by an appearance on Ghost Hunters in 2012.
Rockford Public Library’s Montague Branch is a close neighbor to the Ethnic Village.
Graham-Ginestra House is a historical home in Cunningham Street Ethnic Village.
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Schools in South Rockford
Rockford Public Library’s Montague Branch is a close neighbor to the Ethnic Village, and residents can visit for the occasional Tales and Tunes Storytime—though more events are held at the brand-new Main Branch overlooking the Rock River downtown. There is something on the calendar for members almost every night at the Saint Ambrogio Society building, including weekly bocce games and a Feast Week each summer. Locals head over the Winnebago Street bridge to downtown Rockford for concerts at the indoor BMO Center or performances at Coronado Theatre, but free summertime concerts are closer to home at Levings Park. The completion of Levings Unity Pavilion welcomes Sunday performances from concert series like Domingos en el Parque, a summer 2024 installment showcasing the talents of Rockford’s Latino community. Meanwhile, locals and visitors head east on Blake Street right to the grounds of Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, one of the rare examples of Swiss architecture in the United States. Besides offering a window into Victorian life, the estate today has taken on another role: a hotspot for paranormal tours, spurred by an appearance on Ghost Hunters in 2012.
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School is located in Rockford, IL.
Washington Elementary is a highly rated public school.
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 neighborhood?
Reach out to
Amanda Clark,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Blackhawk Park
Levings Park
Ingersoll Centennial Park
Davis Park at Founders Landing
Liberty Park
Beattie Park Playground
UW Health Sports Factory
Booker Washington Park
Transit
Airport
Chicago/Rockford International
17 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Cunningham Street Ethnic Village
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Cunningham Street Ethnic Village, Rockford sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Cunningham Street Ethnic Village, Rockford over the last 12 months is $92,125, up 125% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
NEW construction. Beautiful front porch with ceiling fans to enjoy your leisure time. Open living space for today's style. Nice stairwell with a landing. Two car garage. Fully seeded yard.
NEW construction. Beautiful front porch with ceiling fans to enjoy your leisure time. Open living space for today's style. Nice stairwell with a landing. Two car garage. Fully seeded yard.
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Amanda Clark,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,101
Median Age
32
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
31.1%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.9%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$43,219
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$45,603
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
53.4%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
2.7%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.8%
% Population in Labor Force
61.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
34''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
49/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
28/ 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.
