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West Elsdon

West Elsdon

Neighborhood Reviews
3.1
$297,485 Average Value
$221 Average Price per Sq Ft
11 Homes For Sale

The culture of West Elsdon

Of Chicago’s 77 community areas, West Elsdon is one that’s easily overlooked. Considered a twin to its southern counterpart, West Lawn, the community is by all appearances average. But what newcomers fail to see is the vibrant culture found in West Elsdon’s eateries and unique home styles. Situated on what was once marshy wetlands, the neighborhood has transformed from a 19th-century railroad settlement to an array of gridded, residential streets lined with single-family homes, modern amenities and an explosion of authentic, Mexican flavors found throughout the Southwest Side.

West Elsdon is an urban neighborhood with beautiful greens spaces.
West Elsdon is an urban neighborhood with beautiful greens spaces.
There are many homes available to fit a variety of budgets in West Elsdon.
There are many homes available to fit a variety of budgets in West Elsdon.
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Uniquely designed bungalows

Bungalows line the gridded residential streets of West Elsdon, and each home offers its own unique architectural flare. Some flaunt steep, pitched roofs in the Tudor style, while others feature the dormer windows of Cape Cods or the horizontal structure of Prairie homes. Uniformity is found in the tight, square front lawns that extend to sidewalks with road verges. Backyards are typically large enough for an above-ground pool or modest garden with a gate beside the detached garage. These single-family homes range in price between $150,000 and $450,000 depending on square footage and renovations. Brick townhomes and various condo buildings are scattered throughout, hovering in the same price range.

The residential streets are safe and quiet in West Elsdon.
The residential streets are safe and quiet in West Elsdon.
A Cape Cod home blends prairie-style in West Elsdon.
A Cape Cod home blends prairie-style in West Elsdon.
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A vibrant, fresh take on traditional Mexican fare

Though West Elsdon offers the same casual eats found in many of Chicago’s community areas, a handful of Latino eateries further from the Metra bring the community to life. “It's a pretty busy area, and most of the establishments are locally owned,” explains local Realtor Joel Mandujano with Midwest Real Estate Brokerage LLC. Solazo was the dream of a West Elsdon local looking to “bring the Southwest Side’s Mexican culture downtown” by opening a location closer to The Loop. With a fresh take on Mexican dishes, like pomegranate seed guacamole, the restaurant has become a community staple since it was renovated in 2019. Las Islas Marias offers authentic Mexican cuisine with menu items inspired by the flavors of Mexico’s Pacific coast. Though next door, Jacky’s Hot Dogs is an unassuming hole-in-the-wall and a local favorite, where gyros and hot dogs are served under the glow of neon signage. For groceries and daily essentials, Jewel-Osco is walkable, along with Cermak Produce and Pete’s Fresh Market.

Residents love the many food vendors in West Elsdon.
Residents love the many food vendors in West Elsdon.
Solazo has excellent Mexican cuisine in a hip atmosphere in West Elsdon.
Solazo has excellent Mexican cuisine in a hip atmosphere in West Elsdon.
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Bilingual studies at Chicago Public Schools

The community's students are zoned for Chicago Public School District 299, beginning at Peck Elementary School, which offers a bilingual program. Spanish-bilingual students are taught in their own classrooms from kindergarten through fourth grade, with Spanish textbooks and intentional English language support. Richardson Middle School enrolls fifth through eighth grade, where resources and media are offered in both English and Spanish. Students wrap up at Curie Metropolitan High School, offering technical and performing arts programs as well as the International Baccalaureate Programme. All three institutions earn a C on Niche.

Peck Elementary School has 815 students in West Elsdon.
Peck Elementary School has 815 students in West Elsdon.
Richardson Middle School has a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 in West Elsdon.
Richardson Middle School has a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 in West Elsdon.
Curie Metropolitan High School has an overall C score according to Niche in West Elsdon.
Curie Metropolitan High School has an overall C score according to Niche in West Elsdon.
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The Chicago Fire Soccer Club’s central field

Mature ash and elm trees shade Pasteur Park, where a playground, ball courts and fields are walkable from many residences. The park is also home to a soccer field sponsored by the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, where local teams come to practice and compete. Marquette Park is just southeast, an expansive green space home to a public golf course, driving range, multi-use sports fields and even a dog park. Paved paths wind around the park’s central lagoon, where locals can catch a sunset over the water. West Elsdon is home to a variety of similar spaces, including Senka Park and Stohacker Park, both providing walking and biking paths.

Residents take in the walking paths at Pasteur Park in West Elsdon.
Residents take in the walking paths at Pasteur Park in West Elsdon.
Residents work on their pickleball skills at the many courts in West Elsdon.
Residents work on their pickleball skills at the many courts in West Elsdon.
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Riding the Orange Line from Pulaski to The Loop

Residents of West Elsdon can take the Orange Line 11 miles northeast from Pulaski to The Loop, according to Mandujano. “Both the expressway and the train station are super accessible from the neighborhood’s residential streets,” he explains. “Travelling downtown is easy.” Kedzie station isn’t far, either, taking riders 35 minutes to Clark Street. Chicago Midway International Airport is only 3 blocks west of the neighborhood, meaning residents are well aware of excessive flight noise and heavy traffic flow. The closest emergency room is located at Holy Cross Hospital, about 3 miles south bordering Marquette Park.

The Pulaski Orange Line stop connects West Elsdon to downtown Chicago and Midway Airport.
The Pulaski Orange Line stop connects West Elsdon to downtown Chicago and Midway Airport.
There are many options for catching the bus in West Elsdon.
There are many options for catching the bus in West Elsdon.
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Dana Chesser
Written By
Dana Chesser
Marcus Rosendoll
Video By
Marcus Rosendoll

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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 Gustavo Vargas, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Chicago Midway International

3 min drive

Bus

Pulaski & 54th Street

Bus

55th Street & Kildare

Bus

55th Street & Kostner

Bus

55th Street & Keeler

Bus

55th Street & Karlov

Bus

55th Street & Lawndale

Bus

59th Street & Kilbourn

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.1 53 Reviews
3.0 Niche User
5/12/2014 Niche Review
There are plenty of big companies/franchises in the area. Not a lot of variety as far as restaurants go.
5.0 Niche User
2/26/2016 Niche Review
I love the neighborhood I love it. It has the qualities of a small town where neighbors know each other but the closeness to the city also offers an urban environment where you are close to restaurants! grocery stores, and night life.
2.0 Niche User
5/15/2016 Niche Review
My family and I use to be able to have late night walks around seven or eight around the park but that is not possible anymore. We were not scared of anything a few years ago but recently with so many thief's and all the violence, we prefer to stay in. Plenty has changed in the area over time and not for the good. I still hope that I get to experience the awesome and calm neighborhood that I once grew up in.
3.0 Niche User
3/29/2016 Niche Review
My community is very diverse. The residences in this community are mostly family owned. The locals are middle class and travel to work daily using the local public transportation source. The area is also comprised of elementary and high school aged students. There is a strong sense of family values although most of the residents don't interact with each other.
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West Elsdon Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$315,000
Median Sale Price
$305,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$319,900
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$207,687
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$149,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
66
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$221

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
3,881
Number of Homes for Sale
11
Median Year Built
1952
Months of Supply
2.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,847
On par with the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,961
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
962
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
780
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,049

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Sep 7
    1 - 5pm

    5749 S Kenneth Ave, Chicago, IL 60629

    $436,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,100 Sq Ft
    • 5749 S Kenneth Ave
    • New 2 days ago

    Charming and spacious, this beautifully remodeled 4-bedroom, 2-bath home is a must-see. With over 2,100 square feet of comfortable living space, it perfectly blends a cozy exterior with a bright, open interior. Step inside to a sun-drenched dining room, ideal for family gatherings. The heart of the home is a completely renovated kitchen, featuring white shaker-style cabinets, quartz countertops,

    Jorge Romero Realty One Group Inc.

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Gustavo Vargas, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
15,741
Median Age
36
Population Density
21 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.8%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$60,670
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$82,914

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
73.6%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
16.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5%
% Population in Labor Force
65.5%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
40''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

67 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

86 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

63 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
West Elsdon