A Bloomington neighborhood with a park, a school and a convenient location
Tucked in the southwest corner of Bloomington, Pepper Ridge is set away from the city's most active areas but still close enough to be convenient. Homes are approaching 30 years old, and many yards have the curb appeal of tall, mature trees. It’s a community set in its own enclave, immediately southwest of the Interstate 55 and I-74 interchange, and comes with a namesake elementary school and park. To top off the convenience factor, Pepper Ridge is within 5 miles of grocery shopping, local dining and large public parks with easy access to the interstate and Veterans Parkway.
Pepper Ridge is a quiet neighborhood in Bloomington, IL.
The Pepper Ridge neighborhood provides affordable housing in Bloomington, IL.
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Late nineteenth-century homes
Aside from the neighborhood’s elementary school and public park, Pepper Ridge is all single-family homes built from the late 1980s to the late 1990s. Unique split-level homes — with the front door set between the garage and the living area — colonial-style and ranch-style homes are popular throughout Pepper Ridge. Townhouses add variety to the community’s architectural styling. Townhouses typically sell from $150,000 to $200,000, while single-family homes sell between $200,000 and $275,000. The median home price is $235,000, up 2% from the previous year. “Like nearby Oakwoods, it’s popular with first-time and younger buyers,” says Mark Bowers, Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Central Illinois Realtors. “Then there are also people who enjoy it enough to just stay for decades as well.”
Sidewalks provide convenient walking paths in Pepper Ridge.
Colonial homes are common in Pepper Ridge.
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Pepper Ridge Park hosts little league teams
Sitting just northeast of Pepper Ridge Elementary, Pepper Ridge Park holds baseball fields where local little-league teams play. Bloomington-Normal is a baseball and softball community, Bowers says. “Besides being the mid-point location in the Cubs and Cardinals rivalry, baseball and softball are two of ISU’s most successful athletic programs. So, as a whole, the community members are strong supporters.” Less than 3 miles northeast, P.J. Irvin Park and Forrest Park offer disc golf courses and playgrounds. Further north, on South Morris Avenue, one of Bloomington’s largest parks — Miller Park — holds baseball fields, a pavilion and the Miller Park Zoo.
Pepper Ridge Park
PJ Irvin Park's disc golf course is a favorite amongst Pepper Ridge residents.
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Students can walk the path to Pepper Ridge Elementary
Families with kindergarten through fifth-grade students can follow the paved path at the end of Rutherford Court to reach Pepper Ridge Elementary School, which earns a B-plus on Niche. Middle school students attend Evans Junior High School, which earns a B. The girl's soccer team of Normal Community West High School is a four-time winner of the Big Twelve Conference and a two-time qualifier for the Illinois High School Association State Tournament. Normal Community West earns a B-plus. Pepper Ridge also sits roughly 5 miles south of Illinois State University (ISU) and Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU), so the neighborhood's college students don’t have to travel far from home.
Students are the highest priority at Pepper Ridge Elementary.
Educational opportunities abound at Normal Community West High School.
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I-55, I-74 less than a mile away
Immediately east of Pepper Ridge, Interstates 55 and 74 connect, giving residents easy access to the nation’s network of highways and putting downtown St. Louis 160 miles away. The Connect Transit public bus system does not reach Pepper Ridge — the closest stop is 2 miles away at 6 Points Road and McKay Drive — but the neighborhood’s streets are lined with sidewalks, giving walkers ample space to roam.
The Central Illinois Regional Airport is located a short drive from Pepper Ridge.
Uptown Normal is a popular nearby attraction for Pepper Ridge residents to enjoy.
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Lunch concerts in the summer, parading in the winter
Less than 5 miles northeast of Pepper Ridge, downtown Bloomington hosts a full calendar of events. In June, Bloomington Parks and Recreation hosts lunch-hour concerts each Wednesday. The end of summer beckons beer lovers downtown with Bruegala, a beer festival celebrating local brewers. In the winter, the Bloomington-Normal Jaycee Holiday Parade gives residents an electric performance of live music and dancing.
Fresh fruits and vegetables can be purchased at the Bloomington Farmers Market.
Come take on the obstacles at the yearly Hill of a Race endurance event.
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Shopping & dining via Veterans Parkway
The neighborhood is purely residential, so shopping and dining require a trip outside the community — but not too far away. Less than 4 miles east of Pepper Ridge, residents can pick up fresh steaks at Bloomington Meats, grab lunch at Tony’s Diner and enjoy a pint of local ale at Lil Beaver Brewery. Further east along Veterans Parkway, ALDI offers a full selection of groceries, and Eastland Mall has stores like Old Navy and Kohl’s. Residents can take I-74 north to the Walmart Supercenter on West Market Street for a more extensive selection of home goods.
Lil Beaver Brewery is a popular lunch spot near Pepper Ridge.
Downtown Bloomington provides Pepper Ridge residents with numerous shopping options.
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Noise from Amtrak on neighborhood's east side
A train line runs along the east side of Pepper Ridge, between the neighborhood and the Ferrero chocolate factory. Still, the line is mainly dedicated to Amtrak trains, which pass through reasonably quickly, Bowers says. “Back in the 90s, homeowners in the area also petitioned to have the trains stop blowing their horns through that stretch of neighborhoods, so that helps too.”
Pepper Ridge residents can hop on the Amtrak for a short ride to Chicago.
Pepper Ridge residents can spend a quiet afternoon at one of the many local libraries.
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
Kenley Kaisershot,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Pepper Ridge Park
Miller Park
Forrest Park
P.J Irvin Park
Transit
Airport
Central Il Regional/Bloomington-Normal
19 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Pepper Ridge
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Pepper Ridge Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Pepper Ridge, Bloomington sell after 10 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Pepper Ridge, Bloomington over the last 12 months is $252,450, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$242,450
Median Sale Price
$252,450
Median Single Family Sale Price
$252,450
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
10
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
10%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$108
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
144
Median Year Built
1999
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,260
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kenley Kaisershot,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
580
Median Age
38
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$110,344
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$131,995
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.3%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
49.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
17%
% Population in Labor Force
69.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
8''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
21/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
15/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
0/ 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.
