$446,384Average Value$318Average Price per Sq Ft27Homes For Sale
Convenient Chicago commute with green space
Sitting in the heart of Chicago’s Northwest, Portage Park is defined by skinny one-way side streets lined with on-street parking under shady oak and maple trees. “We’ve got an abundance of parking!” says Jan Robertson, resident of Portage Park and Realtor of 40 years specializing in the neighborhood. “People move away from the city because Portage isn’t too far out, it’s still accessible.” Portage Park’s local streets lead out to major high-traffic thoroughfares featuring local retail and dining establishments that connect to the greater Chicago region. The community’s namesake—Portage Park—is located in the heart of the neighborhood and features 36 acres of fields and walking trails highlighted by distinct flagstone decoration throughout. An ample network of sidewalks and nearby Chicago Transit Authority stops for both buses and the ‘L’ help residents make the most of the region, particularly as bikes are allowed on both public modes of transportation.
Portage Park warmly welcomes patrons with a decorative gateway entrance.
The Montrose Blue line on the east end of the neighborhood serves Portage Park commuters.
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Giving the “bungalow belt” its name
Portage Park is home to a wealth of brick-faced bungalows, but there are plenty of other options like four squares sporting dormer windows, midcentury townhouses and both two-flat and neoclassical apartment buildings scattered throughout. The median housing price here is $365,500 and is one of the area’s biggest draws. “It’s a friendly neighborhood not too far out of the city, people are moving out here to not get priced out,” says Robertson. It’s a pretty true median as well – the vast majority of single-family homes sell in the range of $320,000 to $480,000, from a three-bedroom modern raised ranch to a renovated five-bedroom bungalow. And almost all single-family homes feature one-car garages with entrances off of alleyways that run between the backyards.
Brick residential properties in Portage Park.
Two flat brick condo buildings are another housing option for Portage Park.
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Six Corners of dining and fun
Six Corners Outdoor Mall, with Art Deco storefronts and the historic Portage Theater, offers local and national retailers as well as activities – grab some elevated American cuisine from Community Tavern before taking up an axe at BATL Axe Throwing. Afterwards, head to Sutherlands Food & Spirits for a pint in a neighborhood stalwart. “A lot of the retail establishments are owned by the people that live in our neighborhood,” notes Patty Conroy, President of the Portage Park Neighborhood Association. Taqueria Amigo Chino is a well-established corner spot serving authentic Mexican fare, and it offers some quick take-out options. Residents grab groceries for some home cooking at Jewel-Osco on the west or east sides of the neighborhood, or at Martin’s Supermarket near Cicero Avenue, which features prime shopping and entertainment destinations. Big box and hardware stores populate Bricktown Square to the southwest, with The Home Depot, Target, Lowe’s and more.
The Portage Theater is one of the oldest movie houses in Chicago, which recently re-opened.
Portage Park has many restaurants to choose from, both casual and more intimate.
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More than just the namesake park
“The heart of the neighborhood is the actual park, Portage Park. It’s a really nice amenity to have, it’s got tennis courts and a beautiful pool,” says Conroy, “Friends of Portage Park runs the Farmer’s Market, Movies in the Park, Halloween events and a tree lighting in the holiday season.” Portage Park is the largest public park in Chicago’s Northwest, a 36-acre tract known for the flagstone decoration all over the grounds. The park also features an outdoor Olympic-size pool that previously hosted swimming events for the Pan American Games and U.S. Olympic swimming trials. Even though Portage is the largest park in the neighborhood, it’s not the only one. Robertson meanwhile points out there are small playgrounds sprinkled throughout the neighborhood, and almost every resident will find one within a few blocks of their home, like Merrimac Park that features a playground and three fields for baseball or softball.
Chopin Park sits on 9.28 acres in the Portage Park community.
Portage Park has paved trails that run throughout it, ideal for running or walking.
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Schurz High School, a Chicago Landmark
Chicago Public Schools serves the Portage Park neighborhood, and students will go to one of four primary schools for kindergarten through eighth grade. Portage Park, Gray, Smyser and Reinberg Elementary schools all receive a grade of C-plus or higher from Niche. A fifth elementary school in the neighborhood, O.A. Thorp Elementary Scholastic Academy, is a magnet school with specialized programing that draws students from across the region and gets a B-plus from Niche. Students from these schools come together for grades nine through 12 at Schurz High School, which gets a C grade from Niche. Schurz was designed in 1910 and is designated a Chicago Landmark due to its combination of Chicago and Prairie schools of architecture. Plenty of private options are available, including Rickover Naval Academy, Chicago Academy, St. John Lutheran School and Midwestern Christian Academy.
Carl Schurz High School serves several communities, including Portage Park.
Rickover Naval Academy High School is in the Portage Park neighborhood.
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A hub to Chicago and beyond
Commuting to and from Portage Park is easy, says Robertson, “Portage Park is very close to three major expressways, the Metra line is within walking distance for a lot of the neighborhood, and we’ve got CTA blue line service, it’s a hub of transportation.” Irving Park Road bisects the neighborhood for easy east-west travel and links up with the Kennedy Expressway and U.S. Route 94, a major artery that runs south to Chicago or as far north as Milwaukee. For many, the network of clean, clear sidewalks and bikeable streets mean they can leave the car at home. For drivers, O’Hare International Airport – one of the busiest airports in the world – is less than 10 miles to the west, and there is regular public transit in and out of the neighborhood that connects to it.
Interstate 90 runs to the east of Portage Park and is a major thorough fare.
Portage Park has two Metra stations located within it.
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Fun times in Six Corners
Neighborhood associations do much of the event planning in these communities. “The Six Corners Neighborhood Association does a bunch of events,” Robertson says. “We just had a Hot Dog Fest on Milwaukee this year, and they had a holiday trolley that went around to local businesses.” On the other end of Irving Avenue in the neighborhood, the Patio Theater is a historic music venue and movie theater that’s part of the Irving-Austin Business District says Conroy, “They host local film festivals, they had a Halloween fest, and Christmas movie events during the holiday season.”
The Six Corners is located in Portage Park and is a bustling intersection filled with retail.
Patio theater in Portage Park has been open since 1927.
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Should it be named Polish Park?
Portage Park is home to the largest Polish population in Chicago, and the influence is evident across the board. Chopin Park, named for famed Polish composer Frederic Chopin, features ball fields, a basketball court, tennis courts, a playground and the historic Chopin Fieldhouse complete with assembly hall and stage. The Polish American Association is headquartered in the neighborhood and the annual Taste of Polonia festival is held just outside of the neighborhood to the north. Don’t be surprised to hear Polish being spoken while grabbing a brew at Lubiana or a bite at Caesar Pierogi.
The Polish American Association does much to advance the immigrant communities in Portage Park.
Chopin Park has a clubhouse that hosts a variety of events and activities.
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
Timothy Soltys,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Dickinson (Arthur) Park
Playground
Wilson Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Tennis
Portage Park
Bike Trails
Dog Park
Football
Merrimac Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Pool
Chopin Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Football
Read Dunning Memorial Park
Trails
Transit
Airport
Chicago O'Hare International
16 min drive
Bus
Irving Park & Mobile
Bus
Irving Park & Laramie
Bus
Addison & Leclaire
Bus
Central & Belle Plaine
Bus
Irving Park & Lockwood
Bus
Cicero & Addison
Bus
Austin & Addison
Portage Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Portage Park, Chicago sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Portage Park, Chicago over the last 12 months is $630,000, up 75% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Do not miss this meticulously maintained 3br/2bath 1.5 story brick Cape Cod, ideally located on an oversized 39.1' x 125.26' corner lot in the heart of Portage Park. Built in 1948, this move-in ready home blends timeless charm with thoughtful modern upgrades and beautifully landscaped front/rear yards and a paved patio - ideal for everyday living and entertaining. Enjoy ample 24/7 street parking
Updated Chicago bungalow that seamlessly blends character with modern comfort. You'll find a spacious master bedroom upstairs with a full en suite and double vanity, tailored to your daily routine. Having undergone a complete gut renovation in 2015, the home offers a newer HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roof-giving you peace of mind from day one. On the main floor, rich hardwood floors bring
Stunning updated bungalow in hot Portage Park! Home rehabbed in 2018 features over 3000 sa ft of living space that includes hardwood floors, coffered ceilings, and a bright kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances, and herringbone backsplash. Main level has 2 bedrooms and a full bath; 2 more bedrooms and another bath upstairs. Finished basement offers a large rec room, 2 more bedrooms,
BUYER FINANCING FELL THROUGH! Welcome to this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bath condo! This unit is filled with natural sunlight and offers a perfect blend of comfort and convenience, making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking a beautiful place to call home. Enjoy the seamless layout with a separate living room and dining room, providing ample space for relaxation and entertaining guests. The
Charming Multi-Use Property with Income Potential! Welcome to this one-of-a-kind, income-generating gem in a prime location! Offering just over 4,000 square feet of versatile space, this beautifully maintained property includes one commercial unit and two residential units, making it a rare find for savvy investors or business owners looking for flexibility and strong returns. The third floor
Updated 2-bedroom, 1 bath condo unit in well maintained building near transportation, restaurants, and shopping in Jefferson Park area. Harwood floors through living room, both bedrooms & hallway. Ceramic title in the kitchen and bathroom. Freshly painted! New oven & refrigerator. Common laundry and private storage on the first floor. Assessment includes heat, water and gas. The assigned
Property Id: 999212Large One-bedroom with office space new kitchen with new appliances central air washer and dryer in unit private patio nice quite property CCTV cameras 1/2 mile to blue trans and 90/94 3 blocks to park (Portage Park) 2 blocks from restaurants, Entertaiment and shopping off Irving Park Rd
This second floor Portage Park one bedroom features hardwood floors, formal living and dining rooms, dishwasher kitchen with granite counter tops, and radiator heat. The courtyard building features a common area back yard and coin operated laundry.
Property Id: 1986390Great location in the Portage Park area. Close to buses, trains and expressway. 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom first floor unit. Master bedroom (15x9) includes a walk-in closet. Bathroom has storage/linen closet. Private enclosed back porch. Recently updated hardwood flooring throughout unit, and freshly painted. Large living room and dining room, kitchen has a full pantry
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Timothy Soltys,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
34,538
Median Age
41
Population Density
22 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$80,804
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$100,925
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
87.7%
College Graduates
30.2%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.6%
% Population in Labor Force
69.6%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
40''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
62/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
76/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
56/ 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.
