$226,574Average Value$191Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
A walkable and welcoming city center
From its humble beginnings as a 19th-century railroad stop, Downtown Champaign has transformed into a buzzing city center with a rich arts scene and restored storefronts filled with locally owned eateries. Commercial corridors blend seamlessly with heavily wooded residential streets lined with condo complexes and early 20th-century homes. “People living Downtown like the walkability to all the bars, shops and restaurants, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus nearby,” says PJ Trautman, a Realtor with Trautman Real Estate Agency & Appraisal. “It’s a thriving environment that has come a long way over the past 30-plus years, and there’s more development in the works.”
Downtown Champaign is outside of ordinary.
Public art is on display all over Downtown Champaign.
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Early 20th century homes and condo complexes
Architectural designs range from small bungalows to Dutch Colonials and American Foursquares. Downtown Champaign’s oldest homes sit close together along brick-paved streets. Front yard space and garages are few and far between, so many homeowners opt for parking along the roadways. Tree-shaded sidewalks make it easy for homeowners to walk just a few blocks to restaurants and shops. Prices for these homes range from $135,000 to $245,000. Condo and co-op complexes have also been developed throughout the neighborhood, with monthly HOA fees between $435 and $750. The one- to three-bedroom condos sell for anywhere from $67,000 to $410,000, depending on size and amenities.
Bungalows are a favorite architectural style for Downtown Champaign.
Get a small town feel within a vibrant city of Downtown Champaign.
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Catch a show at Virginia Theatre
Within the last 5 years, West Side Park has seen a facelift in the form of a new, gated playground and a gazebo providing a place to relax. Walking trails wind through the nearly 14-acre green space dotted with large trees, numerous art sculptures and a large fountain. It also serves as the site of the West Side Arts Festival in September, which highlights the work of local and regional artists. The arts are an integral part of the city’s fabric, with rotating public art on display and shows at the landmark Virginia Theatre, which has been a fixture in Champaign for more than 100 years. The entertainment venue frequently shows classic movies on its 56-foot-wide screen and is a popular stop for musicians and comedians. A multimillion-dollar project will soon bring more green space to Downtown Champaign. According to Trautman, the city is developing a Downtown Plaza, which will include a splash pad, a public lawn with outdoor seating and more public art. Construction is set to start in 2026.
Virginia Theatre has been a staple of Downtown Champaign for over 100 years.
Virginia Theatre in Downtown Champaign hosts all sorts of events, from concerts to movies.
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Champaign Unit 4 School District offers school choice
Students living in Downtown Champaign are zoned for Champaign Unit 4 School District, which offers school choice. Parents will register their students and rank their elementary school of choice. Multiple factors are taken into consideration, including proximity and capacity. The closest elementary schools to Downtown include Stratton, Dr. Howard and Booker T. Washington STEM Academy. The latter is the highest rated of the three, earning a B-plus from Niche. Dr. Howard receives a B rating, while Stratton gets a C-plus. Stratton also offers an arts-infused magnet program. Students will later filter into Franklin STEAM Academy or Edison Middle School, earning B-minus and C from Niche, respectively. Central High School also serves the neighborhood and receives an A-minus rating from Niche. The school offers 20 Advanced Placement classes and more than 50 clubs and extracurriculars.
Booker T. Washington STEM Academy has an average student to teacher ratio of 12 to 1.
32% of Central High School students are at least proficient in math and 35% in reading.
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Street Fest attracts thousands each year
“Champaign is a vibrant city, but you still get that small-town feel and a real sense of community with all the events we have here,” says Jenna Manolakes, the executive director of Champaign Center Partnership. Among the most popular is the Street Fest, which includes the Downtown Throwdown food festival. “Last year, we had 5,800 people attend. It was huge, with multiple bands and a food competition,” Manolakes says. “This year, we’re adding even more things like a fashion show, a kid’s zone and vendors where people can buy goods from local artisans.” Expect more foot traffic on Friday nights throughout the summer when Friday Night Live takes over the streets of Downtown Champaign as multiple bands perform. During the holidays, people from across the city venture downtown for the Parade of Lights, which also features an indoor market, horse and carriage rides and a visit from Santa.
Downtown Champaign is chock full of restaurants, shops and bars.
Friday Night Live Champaign is a great way to start the weekend in Champaign.
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Trains and bus stops at the Illinois Terminal
While Downtown Champaign is easy to explore on foot, a public transportation hub sits off South Market Street. The Illinois Terminal houses an Amtrak station, a Greyhound bus stop and multiple Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District bus stops. The Parkland College route has a stop at the terminal that connects to the OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center about a mile east. Those looking to take a vacation outside the city can catch a flight at Willard Airport, which sits about 6 miles south. Locals also have easy access to two major interstates. Traveling north along Interstate 57 for roughly 135 miles will link locals to Chicago. Head the opposite direction along the freeway for 179 miles to reach the heart of St. Louis. Interstate 74 allows residents to travel east to Indianapolis, about 125 miles away.
Buses are easy to catch all over Downtown Champaign.
Catch an Amtrak or Greyhound at the Illinois Terminal in Downtown Champaign.
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Grab drinks at Blind Pig Brewery or a cup of coffee at The Literary
Locals living in Downtown Champaign take to the streets on nights and weekends to mingle with friends at patio cafes or connect over craft cocktails at cozy bars. String lights and ivy-covered brick walls surround the beer garden at Blind Pig Brewery, which regularly has more than 20 brews on tap. Next door, The Literary doubles as a coffee shop and bookstore. “We have a wide variety of diverse restaurants to choose from,” Trautman says. “La Bahia has amazing Mexican cuisine with an emphasis on seafood, and Sticky Rice is known for its authentic Thai food.” Highly walkable and bikeable, Downtown Champaign also provides easy access to several specialty food stores and a County Market, where locals can pick up grocery essentials.
Relax with a new book and a fresh cup of coffee at The Literary in Downtown Champaign.
Country Market has all your grocery needs near Downtown Champaign.
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
Jeff and Laura Finke,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
West Side Park
Firefighters Park
Spalding Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Hessel Park
Transit
Airport
University of Illinois/Willard
23 min drive
Bus
Main & Chestnut (Sw Corner)
Bus
Church & Prairie (Ne Corner)
Bus
Randolph & Vine (Nw Far Side)
Bus
Walnut & Washington (Se Corner)
Bus
Green & Neil (Nw Far Side)
Bus
Church & Elm (Ne Corner)
Bus
Neil & Washington (Ne Corner)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Champaign
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Champaign Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Champaign, Champaign sell after 17 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Champaign, Champaign over the last 12 months is $195,000, up 18% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
One-of-a-kind industrial-style loft condo-a rare find that blends rich history with sleek modern updates. Housed in a converted warehouse, this distinctive residence showcases stunning architectural details like exposed brick walls, soaring ceilings, glass block windows, and a striking stainless steel entry door that makes a bold first impression. The newly remodeled kitchen boasts stainless
Located just steps from Campustown, this beautifully updated unit in the iconic Pembroke Building offers modern comfort with timeless charm. Renovated in 2023 from top to bottom, the home features new cabinetry, countertops, engineered hardwood flooring, and more-making it truly move-in ready. The open and airy living space is filled with natural light, thanks to elegant double French doors that
Welcome to 503 N State in downtown Champaign - a fully remodeled, all-brick 5-unit investment property offering an outstanding opportunity for strong, reliable rental income. This fully leased building features three spacious one-bedroom, one-bath units and two two-bedroom, one-bath units, all recently updated with significant improvements. Major upgrades include brand-new vinyl windows
AVAILABLE NOW FOR AUGUST 2025!!! The Quarters is a five-story residential building on the north side of Downtown Champaign. With its soaring 14 feet high ceilings, chandeliers, and hardwood floors all the apartments at The Quarters are influenced by the Spanish colonial styling theme that inspires the building.Secure BuildingInternet IncludedIn-Unit LaundryOnsite and
Now Leasing for August 2025-2026!JSJ Property Management, Inc. is proud to introduce another new development at 301 W. University Ave! Just minutes away from the University of Illinois campus, downtown Champaign and West Side park, these one bedroom units are a must see. All units come fully furnished and feature nine-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, modern light, stainless steel
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jeff and Laura Finke,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,622
Median Age
37
Population under 18
14.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$65,675
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$96,839
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94%
College Graduates
64.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
35.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
79.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
88/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
94/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
61/ 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.
