$301,033Average Value$190Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Suburban charms meet lakeside life in northern Illinois
Private beach access doesn't typically accompany living in a subdivision, but for residents of Saint Francis Heights, it does. Situated on the southeast side of Wonder Lake, the neighborhood was one of the village's first dedicated suburban areas, and folks living here hold privileges to the local beach. The perk makes the area a desirable vacation home spot or destination to enjoy retirement but is not limited to these homebuyers. While surrounding communities have comparable amenities, Saint Francis Heights sports a stock of relatively newer builds to couple with its. Ultimately, daily life is focused on domestic living and leisure with shopping in McHenry, work in Chicago and the central suburbs, and entertainment in Wonder Lake itself a drive or park-and-ride away.
Traditional homes on and off the water
Traditionally styled homes are the norm here, with ranch-style homes and split-levels tucked under the cover of thick tree canopy. Closer to the lake, distinctive custom homes employ a mix of styles, including contemporary, Tudor and modern aesthetics. Home values in the neighborhood generally range from $173,000 to $485,000.
“Saint Francis Heights has newer homes than some of the other subdivisions, and by newer, I mostly mean houses from the 1970s,” says Terry Mathews, a broker and agent with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group. Mathews has sold homes in the neighborhood and Northern Illinois for more than 40 years. “You’ve got a lot of second homes. It’s got a real appeal for retirees, first-timers and downsizers.”
Lake side homes Saint Francis Heights range from split level to custom built styles.
Ranch style homes are popular in the Saint Francis Heights neighborhood.
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Learning experiences at McHenry Community High School
Students attend Harrison School, graded C-minus by Niche, from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade before advancing McHenry Community High School's two campuses. McHenry Community High School - Freshman Campus in Wonder Lake earns a B-plus grade. Tenth graders proceed to The McHenry Community High School - Upper Campus, which received a 70,000-square-foot expansion in 2021, adding the Center for Science, Technology and Industry to the school’s campus. Facilities on campus include a greenhouse and a biomedical science laboratory. The school earns an A-minus grade on Niche.
Students from Saint Francis Heights attend McHenry Community High School.
McHenry Freshman Campus is where the freshman from Saint Francis Heights go to school.
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Private access to Wooded Shores Beach for property owners
Wooded Shores Beach, on the northeast side of the neighborhood, is the closest access point to Wonder Lake. Residents can sign up for space on the pier for boats and watercraft. Access to the private beach is available through the Wooded Shores Property Improvement Association.
Hiking, cross-country skiing and picnics are available at Harrison Benwell Conservation Area. Spanning 75 acres of wooded area and plains, Harrison Benwell is about 2 miles northeast of the neighborhood.
residents of Saint Francis Heights use the trails at Harrison Benwell Conservation Area.
Residents of Saint Francis Heights have exclusive access to Wooded Shores Beach.
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Groceries and everyday goods in McHenry
As one of Wonder Lake’s residential areas, Saint Francis Heights is a bit removed from shopping and dining, requiring a trip a few miles down the road to access them. “Most folks on the east side of town are gonna go to McHenry for their shopping,” Mathews says. The village’s Dollar General store on McCullom Lake Road is the closest option. Southeast of the neighborhood in McHenry, big box stores such as Meijer, Walmart and Hobby Lobby are fixtures along Richmond Road/State Route 31. Smaller retail chains, including Discovery Clothing, GameStop and Goodwill, round out the area’s shopping.
Take-out spots include Subway, the village’s sole fast-food franchise, and East End Pizza and Ice Cream. In addition to its pies and desserts, the restaurant serves Chicago dogs, Italian beef and pasta bowls. Burgers, wings and cocktails are on the menu at Alibi Pub & Grub, a laid-back spot that doubles as a hub for local music in town.
Residents of Saint Francis Heights can head to Meijer for all of their big box store needs.
Dollar General is a convenient shopping option for residents of Saint Francis Heights.
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Fishing derbies and water skiing shows
Summertime in Wonder Lake is marked by the arrival of weekly Wonder Lake Water Show Ski Team shows. The acclaimed acrobatic water-skiing team has been in town for 70 years and has won five national titles. In addition to holding a show each Friday in the summer, the team performs at Wonder Lake Main Beach and Center Park each Fourth of July followed by the village's fireworks show on the water.
Winter brings the annual Ice Fishing Derby, organized by the Wonder Lake Sportsman's Club around February. Participants catch and release walleye pikes, muskies and bass in hopes of scoring prizes and glory.
East Wonder Lake Drive to other parts of Chicagoland
East Wonder Lake Drive is Saint Francis Heights’ primary connection to the rest of the village. Residents are about 2 miles south of Wonder Center, the village’s central area. Downtown Chicago is about 65 miles southeast. Residents traveling into other parts of the Chicagoland area can catch Metra trains out of the McHenry station, about 5 miles away.
The nearest emergency room is at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, about 7 miles southeast of the neighborhood in McHenry. Chicago O’Hare International Airport, 46 miles southeast.
Written By
Tre Lyerly
Video By
Wengel Abiy
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Joy Baez
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate
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
Joy Baez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Shore Hills Country Club Park and Boat Launch
Wooded Shores Beach
Transit
Airport
Chicago O'Hare International
71 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Saint Francis Heights
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
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 Saint Francis Heights, Wonder Lake sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Saint Francis Heights, Wonder Lake over the last 12 months is $279,324, down 13% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$257,250
Median Single Family Price
$280,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$190
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Months of Supply
4.00
Median List Price
$282,450
Median Discount From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
3%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
66
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Joy Baez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
301
Median Age
41
Population under 18
22.3%
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
$101,163
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$98,307
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.5%
College Graduates
18.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
12°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
31''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
9/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
2/ 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.
