Garfield Park
Urban Core Neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois
Cook County 60612, 60624, 60644
Historic greystones and early 20th century homes
Most homes in Garfield Park date from the 1880s to the late 1920s. Homes from this era take influence from the Craftsman, Italianate and Greystone styles, with a mix of free-standing properties and rowhouses. A few later properties built from the 1990s on to the 2020s employ their own distinct styles, including a few New Traditionals and bold modern homes with rectangular façades or sharp angles. Single-family homes are available nearby, but most dwellings are multi-family, including condos, two-flat and three-flat properties.Multi-family properties range widely from $60,000 to over $1 million. More expensive buildings can have multiple units that owner-tenants can rent out for additional income. There are numerous single-family homes and townhouses, as well, ranging from $50,000 to $600,000.
Open land with residential zoning generally ranges from $5,000 to $250,000. Homes on the south side of the neighborhood may have higher noise levels due to the neighborhood’s proximity to Interstate 290.
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Indoor recreation, outdoor play and botanical gardens at Garfield Park
The 173-acre James Garfield Park sits at the center of the neighborhood. The namesake park’s visual centerpiece is a Baroque-style fieldhouse first built in 1928, popularly known as the Gold Dome thanks to the ornate goldleaf dome on the roof. Inside, residents can find facilities for boxing and general exercise, a dance studio, an auditorium and a ballroom. Outside, the fieldhouse is surrounded by the Garfield Park Lagoon, a prime spot for fishing. Guests can also visit the park’s baseball fields, playground areas or tennis courts, and the outdoor pool is open from June to August each year.Garfield Park Conservatory sits just north of the park. Originally established in 1908, this botanical museum lets visitors observe plant life native to northern Illinois and specimens from around the world. In addition to its permanent and rotating exhibit collection, locals can visit the conservatory for kid-friendly educational events, beekeeping classes, yoga and performances from Westside musicians.
Residents can also enjoy leisure time at pocket parks in the area, including the playground and basketball court at Gladys Gunderson Park.
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Celebrating diversity at Chicago public schools
Cather Elementary School serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Each February, the school commemorates Black History Month with lessons, student projects and story readings with Black and African-American authors. Older students continue to John Marshall Metropolitan High School, which has 30 athletic programs for students to join. Both schools hold C grades on Niche.
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Plant-based fashion shows and music performances at Garfield Park Conservatory
Several major Chicago thoroughfares run through the neighborhood, which is bordered by Cicero Avenue on its west side and Roosevelt Road on its south side. Madison Street, Lake Street and Jackson Boulevard are the main east-west travel options for quick trips across the neighborhood, while Interstate 290 runs along the south end for longer trips. Locals are about 5 miles west of the Loop.For car-free travel, residents can catch the Blue Line ‘L’ train at the Cicero, Pulaski or Kedzie-Homan stations on the south side or ride the Green Line via five stations on the neighborhood’s north side. The Metra Union Pacific West Line also runs through the neighborhood with a stop on Kedzie Avenue, for residents traveling west into the suburbs. CTA bus services are available throughout the area with service from lines 20, 52, 82 and 126.
Ascension Saint Mary Hospital is about 4 miles surrounding northeast of the neighborhood for medical concerns and emergencies. For residents traveling beyond Chicago and surrounding areas, Chicago Midway International Airport is about 7 miles south of the neighborhood, while Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about 17 miles away.
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5 miles west of the Chicago Loop
Twice a month, the Garfield Park Neighborhood Market opens at the Hatchery, a business incubator for food service entrepreneurs. Vendors from the community gather to sell produce sourced from gardens within the neighborhood alongside baked goods, household items and more. Events at the Garfield Park Conservatory include Fleurotica, an annual fashion show where each garment is made solely with natural materials, alongside workshops for kids and adults and performances from Chicago area musicians and dance companies. The conservatory also offers a complimentary membership for locals within the Garfield Park area, giving them early access to its annual honey sale and other perks.Nighttime hangouts include Brick’s Night Club, a neon-lit hip hop bar with a mechanical bull. Lakeside Bar is a laid-back spot to enjoy cocktails and drafts, with jazz and soul legends painted on the walls and a billiards table.
Fashion and food along Madison Street
Many of Garfield Park’s businesses are situated along Madison Street. Dollar Tree and Madison Foods and Fish Market both sit on the east side of the neighborhood, while the west side has a retail corridor along the road with additional options. King’s Hardware is a go-to for tools and household equipment. Local stops for clothing and accessories include Foot Locker, Rainbow, DTLR and Tops & Bottoms. Go-to picks for groceries include the Save a Lot on Pulaski Road and an Aldi store to the north near Humboldt Park; the Save-a-Lot reopened in 2024 after two years of inactivity.Life Restaurant specializes in tacos, salads and breakfast fare, while Wiley’s Chicken and Ribs offers barbecue and soul food items. Baba’s Famous Steak & Lemonade has a menu of steak sandwiches, burgers, Italian beef sandwiches and gyros.
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Important things to know
Garfield Park’s CAP Index scores for violent crime are higher than the national average. While its overall score is 6 out of 10, it scores 10 for homicide and 9 for robbery. The neighborhood is one of several areas included in the City of Chicago’s “Our City, Our Safety” plan to reduce violence. Initiatives happening within the neighborhood include youth violence prevention and mentoring through the University of Chicago’s Choose to Change program and counseling and guidance for victims of violent crimes.
Written By
Tre Lyerly
Video By
Luke Basinger
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Devin Burks
Devin Burks
@properties Christie's International Real Estate
(708) 419-4085
17 Total Sales
1 in Garfield Park
$90,000 Price
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Edgar Guerrero
Edgar Guerrero
Responds QuicklyREMAX Legends
(855) 951-5250
144 Total Sales
10 in Garfield Park
$93K - $500K Price Range
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Erica Cuneen
Erica Cuneen
Beyond Properties Realty Group
(630) 757-8294
333 Total Sales
2 in Garfield Park
$180,000 Price Range
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Lydia Coix
Lydia Coix
Responds QuicklyHomeSmart Realty Group
(331) 236-0462
46 Total Sales
1 in Garfield Park
$151,900 Price
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Gloria Zrnich
Gloria Zrnich
HomeSmart Connect LLC
(773) 825-3585
82 Total Sales
1 in Garfield Park
$450,000 Price
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George Medina
George Medina
Realty of America
(708) 859-6943
72 Total Sales
1 in Garfield Park
$246,000 Price
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Bike Polo Courts
Altgeld Park
Humboldt Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Bike Trails
Garfield (James) Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Fishing
- Football
Gladys Gunderson Park
- Basketball
- Playground
Park #422
- Playground
Transit
Airport
Chicago Midway International
13 min drive
Subway
Cicero Station (Green Line)
Subway
Pulaski Station (Green Line)
Subway
Conservatory-Central Park Drive Station
Subway
Kedzie Station (Green Line)
Subway
California Station (Green Line)
Subway
Pulaski Station (Blue Line - Forest Park Branch)
Bus
Madison & California
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Garfield Park | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 10 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 8 | 4 |
| Robbery | 9 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Garfield Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Garfield Park, Chicago sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Garfield Park, Chicago over the last 12 months is $245,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$245,000
Median Sale Price
$245,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$315,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$245,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$144,999
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
90
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
11%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$157
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,165
Number of Homes for Sale
23
Median Year Built
1907
Months of Supply
3.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,230
Above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,797
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,248
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
793
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,049
Open Houses
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Saturday, Jun 1412 - 3pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
33,016
Median Age
36
Population Density
15 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$28,010
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$44,987
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
78.2%
College Graduates
12.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.1%
% Population in Labor Force
52.1%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
40''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
78
/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
57
/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
75
/ 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
Homan Square
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Humboldt Park
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West Humboldt Park
Culture-rich Chicago community on the cusp of revitalization
Douglass Park
A sweeping park anchors this dense neighborhood 15 minutes from downtown Chicago
North Lawndale
Community with deep rooted history that's on the rise
Tri-Taylor
A collection of unique historic houses in United Center's backyard
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