$1,102,184Average Value$444Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Bricktown brings a new energy
This neighborhood, once affectionately known as “Bricktown” for housing the brick-making industry, is now known for its top-rated schools and local dining. Residents arrive at attractions minutes from stepping outside their front stoops. “Most streets are tree-filled, completing the residential experience, helped by zoning, which is lower, allowing for single-family homes and small multi-unit buildings or usually two units,” says real estate broker Santiago Valdez, who works for Compass Real Estate, and has been selling along Chicago's North and Lakefront neighborhoods for over 20 years. “On the main streets and some corners, larger buildings allow smaller units, which are usually more affordable, giving the area a wide price range for buyers and renters.”
Four square homes in the North Center neighborhood.
North Center, has a long-standing history within Chicago.
Originally named Bricktown, North Center is rich with Chicago history only 8miles from downtown.
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Pillared porches and shady sidewalks
Bricked and paneled two-story Greystones and workers cottages line North Center’s gridded streets. Pillars accompany front stoops and the occasional porch, adding character to these early 1900s and early 2000s homes. While condos feature rooftop decks and sell for roughly $245,000, single-family homes hold a fenced-in backyard big enough to let out the dog and sell for upwards of $2.5 million. Average home values across the neighborhood are down by 4% since 2023; however, residents still pay more than double the rest of Chicago homeowners.
Row of single family homes in North Center.
Residential sidewalks in North Center.
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Shops along Lincoln and Bad Apple brews
Lincoln Avenue overflows with dining opportunities from Cho Sun Ok Restaurant, where chefs cook Korean barbeque, to Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, slicing up classic Chicago-style deep dish pizza. “L&M Fine Foods is a small grocery store with lunch options, handmade sandwiches which are so fresh and tasty and a great budget option,” Valdez says. Locals also find recipe ingredients along Lincoln Avenue by stopping at Jewel Osco to the north or Trader Joe’s south of the Irving Park intersection. Whether seeking the liveliness of a sports bar like Wild Goose Bar & Grill or slower pace as found within The Bad Apple’s red glow, bar hoppers can walk and find another bar stool whenever their mood changes. Meanwhile, to the southeast, patrons wait until Friday to line up for live music and bar bites at Martyrs’. “North Center shares a lot of the locations with Lincoln Square next to the north,” Valdez says. “Places like Gather and The Warbler are casually elegant with American cuisine in a modern, fresh style.”
Bad Apple Restaurant is a popular spot in North Center, IL.
Martyrs' live music venue is a great spot to listen to favorite bands in North Center, IL.
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Lincoln Ave is the primary hub for North Center's family friendly nightlife.
Night Out series and Ribfest
Melodies echo through the air from center stage at the wrought iron gazebo in the middle of Welles Park during Night Out in the Parks events. Since 2000, the smell of smoked barbeque has filled the air down Lincoln Avenue during the annual Ribfest Chicago festival. Pitmasters compete for the title of People’s Choice and Top Award while attendees taste their way down the street, stopping at local vendors and listening to live music on the stage in Town Square. North Center also houses multiple fringe theaters, such as Bughouse Theater, where local performers take the spotlight.
Classes from Coonley to St. Ben’s
Children may attend some of the many highly rated Chicago Public School District schools. Beginning in prekindergarten and finishing in eighth grade, students may attend classes at John C. Coonley Elementary School. This public school earns a Grade A-minus from Niche and prepares students to begin at Lane Tech College Prep High School, which earns a Grade A-plus from Niche. Lane Tech students choose from over 100 electives and may take Advanced Placement (AP) courses to earn college credit. Just outside the neighborhood’s southwest corner, parents may enroll students in St. Benedict Preparatory School, more commonly known as St. Ben’s, which earns an overall grade of A from Niche.
St. Benedict Preparatory School was awarded the National Blue Ribbon for academic excellence.
Coonley Elementary School teaches students K-8 in North Center, IL.
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Walks to Welles Park
Within a mile from home, residents walk or bike to Welles Park to practice tennis or soccer and compete in horseshoes. Across the park’s more than 15 acres, children climb nets and other obstacles on the playground while swimmers race across the six lanes at the indoor pool. On the west side, residents arrive at Revere Park, where pickleball, tennis and baseball players compete.
Welles Park Gazebo is a large iron ornate and beautiful structure in North Center, IL.
Welles Park on the edge of Ravenswood is bustling with outdoor activity in the afernoons.
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Navigating North Center
While walking and biking are viable options for navigating North Center, long-distance travelers may depend on public transportation along Irving Park Road to the north and Addison Street to the south. Irving Park Road and Addison Street are on Chicago’s brown line, connecting passengers with downtown Chicago within 10 miles. Travelers must drive 13 miles west to catch flights out of O’Hare International Airport. Regardless of where residents live in the neighborhood or what they plan to do with their days, North Center was created with convenience and accessibility in mind.
The Irving Park brown line serves as a convenient mode of transport in North Center.
North Center is a bikers paradise with lanes racing past local retail stores.
North Center residents quickly commute around Chicago at the Irving Park Brown Line El station.
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
Are you familiar with the North Center neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
North Center
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
North Center Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in North Center, Chicago sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in North Center, Chicago over the last 12 months is $622,500, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Lida DowneyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
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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.
