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Portage Park

Portage Park

$446,384 Average Value
$319 Average Price per Sq Ft
24 Homes 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.
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.
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.
Brick residential properties in Portage Park.
Two flat brick condo buildings are another housing option for 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Carl Schurz High School serves several communities, including Portage Park.
Rickover Naval Academy High School is in the Portage Park neighborhood.
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.
Interstate 90 runs to the east of Portage Park and is a major thorough fare.
Portage Park has two Metra stations located within it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chopin Park has a clubhouse that hosts a variety of events and activities.
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Paul Spencer
Written By
Paul Spencer
Justin Schmidt
Photography Contributed By
Justin Schmidt
Remi Cox
Video By
Remi Cox

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Linda Hagstrom, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

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

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Portage Park US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Portage Park Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$649,900
Median Sale Price
$630,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$698,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$399,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$1,100,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
257
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
75%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$319

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
7,307
Number of Homes for Sale
24
Median Year Built
1925
Months of Supply
1.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,489
Above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,494
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
932
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
797
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Aug 2
    11am - 1pm

    4119 N Meade Ave, Chicago, IL 60634

    $649,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,500 Sq Ft
    • 4119 N Meade Ave
    • New 11 days ago

    Welcome to this fully renovated dream home in the heart of Portage Park! Completely redesigned from top to bottom in 2025, this stunning 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom residence is nestled on a quiet, tree-lined street within the sought-after Taft School District and offers beautifully finished living space throughout. Step inside to a bright, open layout that perfectly blends comfort and functionality.

    Bogdan Zietara Hometown Real Estate Group LLC

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Linda Hagstrom, 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.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Portage Park