Nicknamed the “Gateway to the South Suburbs,” the Village of Dolton was originally an area for manufacturing and railroad companies. Today, Dolton gives residents a break from the bustle in Chicago’s downtown without being too far removed. Commuters are only 22 miles south of the city, and with the Metra running along the west and Interstate 94 to the east, traveling opportunities are uncapped. “Homes are priced affordably,” says Managing Broker Linda Pride, who holds over 25 years of experience in Chicago’s real estate market and 13 years of appraisal experience. “Dolton has a good mixture of homes if you can only afford $140,000 or up to $200,000 to $300,000.”
Dolton sits just 22 miles south of downtown Chicago.
Residents of Dolton are a short Metra Ride away to downtown Chicago.
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Driving and busing around Dolton
Pace buses transport passengers east and west along Sibley Boulevard, while the Metra Electric (ME) line on the city’s west side takes commuters north to downtown. On the village’s eastern edge, Interstate 94 extends north, connecting with The Loop in roughly 21 miles and south into South Holland in under three miles. Just over the Illinois-Indiana border, air travelers reach Gary/Chicago International Airport for corporate and general aviation.
Pace buses run all day throughout Dolton and help residents get around town.
Retail is quite walkable for the residents of Dolton, with homes close to shopping on Sibley.
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Discounts for living in Dolton
Single-family homes line the sides of Dolton streets, with Cape Cod and bricked ranch-style houses dominating the landscape. Nearly 41% of these homes list within the $200,000 range, with most houses built between the 1940s and 1970s. Flat grassy lots pair with neighborhood sidewalks and paved driveways, giving residents a place to walk and unwind. Mature trees between Engle Street and 146th Street guide walkers on the way to Dolton Park. A two-bedroom condo lists for $60,000, while four-bedroom homes sell for as much as $348,000. “Rehabbing is pretty common in Dolton because investors come in and buy because housing is relatively cheap,” Pride says. "They’ll maybe find a rehab for $70,000 and, once done, can turn it around for $200,000 to $250,000.” Houses of worship dot Lincoln Avenue’s northern neck and scatter south of Sibley Boulevard for worshiping accessibility, regardless of which portion of Dolton residents live.
Ranch style homes with car ports can be found scattered throughout Dolton.
Red brick ranch style homes are common throughout Dolton.
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Shopping down Sibley Boulevard
Shoppers drive down Sibley Boulevard to stock up on all their grocery and retail needs. This stretch not only has Menards, Food4Less, and Citi Trends but also fast food stops, including Checkers and KFC. Along Sibley, diners with time to spare pull up a chair at Olivia’s Family Restaurant and order from its breakfast menu, which includes classics such as biscuits and gravy. Meanwhile, north of East 142nd Street, locals satisfy their tastebuds with bites of steak hoagies at Taurus Flavors.
With retail being close to residential in Dolton, residents often walk to their favorite stores.
Dolton residents often shop at Food 4 Less for great quality groceries at a great price.
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Dolton Park and forest preserves
Bats crack with the connection of baseballs while balls bounce on tennis and basketball courts at Dolton Park in the neighborhood’s center. “I don’t live in the neighborhood, but when I drive by, I see people out there,” Pride says. Children slide and climb the playset at this park and John W. Needles Park. Pickup basketball players compete in the fenced blacktop court at Needles Park. Just outside Dolton’s southeast corner, calmness seeps through the Sand Ridge Nature Center forest. This part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County encompasses four unpaved walking and biking trails totaling almost four miles long.
Beaubien Woods is a beautiful nature preserve on the north side of Dolton.
The Dolton Park District has a great playground for kids of all ages.
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Studying within Dolton school districts
Some students study within Dolton School District No. 149, including elementary years at Franklin Elementary School and Roosevelt Junior High School. While Franklin earns a Grade D from Niche, Roosevelt Junior High School earns a Grade C-minus from the website. High schoolers may attend Thornridge High School within the Thorton Township High School District No. 205. This school, which Niche gives a Grade D, has built a reputation for breaking football and wrestling records.
Franklin Elementary School has a newly updated building and has a D rating through Niche.
Thornridge High School in Dolton is known for breaking football and wrestling records.
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Keeping Dolton residents informed
The community stays informed of all the latest developments within the area through a text messaging system. Pride says that whenever events or repairs take place, residents receive text message alerts of where festivities are held or areas to avoid for traffic purposes. Regardless of where Dolton locals live, they appreciate being one bus stop, or Metra ride away from completing errands along Sibley Boulevard or commuting into Chicago.
Written By
Tina Davis
Photography Contributed By
Jace Hirosky
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Susan Mender,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Dolton, IL sell after 55 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Dolton, IL over the last 12 months is $157,500, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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