Woodlawn
Neighborhood Reviews
Vintage and modern Chicago homes
Development in Woodlawn began in the late 19th century, leading to a distinct mix of architectural sensibilities along the densely populated city blocks. Multi-family properties make up a large chunk of Woodlawn’s home stock, with styles including condo units and buildings, two- to four-flat greystones and contemporary townhouses. Buyers can generally expect individual units and older townhomes to sell from $120,000 to $630,000. Newly built luxury homes and larger multi-units can sell from $650,000 to $1.2 million or more. Single-family properties offer a similarly broad range of appearances but are harder to find. Buyers can expect single-family home values between $100,000 and $950,000.
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Prestigious Hyde Park Academy alum
Carnegie Elementary School is one of the area’s public school assignments for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program for students from sixth grade onwards, which emphasizes a holistic approach to learning and prepares students for the IB diploma program at other participating schools. Carnegie earns a C-plus grade on Niche. Hyde Park Academy High School counts pilot Amelia Earhart and jazz musician Herbie Hancock among its alumni. The school earns a D-plus grade on Niche.Additional education options in the Woodlawn area include Mount Carmel High School, a Catholic college preparatory school for boys that first opened in 1900. The school earns an A grade. Just north of the neighborhood, the University of Chicago landed at the No. 11 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s national list of the best universities. UChicago offers 53 undergraduate majors and holds an A-plus grade on Niche.
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Recreation destination in south Chicago
Jackson Park is one of the city's signature parks. Designed by famed American architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the waterfront park spans more than 550 acres. Jackson Park Golf Course offers 18 holes over 5,500 yards, letting locals enjoy a day on the green with views of the park and the city in the distance. Pup-sized police cruisers, obstacle courses and giant fire hydrants are part of the décor at Jackson Bark, the park’s playful dog-date spot. 63rd Street Beach is open for swimming from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day each year, giving locals a prime spot to enjoy the summer on the waters of Lake Michigan.Kids and grown-ups alike can discover rotating and permanent experiences at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Recent programs include exhibits about the science of music’s relationship with the body, the history of space observation and travel and the real-life inspirations for 007's gadgets in the James Bond film series.
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Head to Hyde Park for shopping
Most of Woodlawn’s local stores are focused on essential needs. Aldi, Green’s Food and Grove Market are each available on the neighborhood’s south end for food, while Family Dollar and Walgreens are both on Cottage Grove Avenue for everyday needs. Small, independent shops like Rose Beauty Supply and City Sports are also nearby.Just north of the neighborhood, Hyde Park Shopping Center offers a mix of mainstream stores and smaller Chicago originals. Familiar brands in the area include Trader Joe’s, Target and Whole Foods Market. Recycled Modern specializes in midcentury modern home goods and furniture while also offering art and accessories by Black creatives from the South Side and across the city. Two doors down at Akira, trendy ladies’ fashions are lit by rows of overhead lamps. The cure for the common comic shop awaits at First Aid Comics, a two-floor hobby haven with a dedicated space for tabletop gaming events.
Cozy vibes fill the atmosphere at Build Coffee. Amid a soundtrack of bubbling milk frothers, visitors scan shelves filled with nonfiction, novels and zines, as baristas and kitchen staff prep lattes and lunch sandwiches in the exposed brick cafe. Beef patties, blackened salmon, burgers and wings are a few of the selections at Let’s Eat to Live, which backs up the soul food vibes of its menu with walls adorned in musical motifs and portraits of famous jazz artists. The restaurant shares its space with Eat More Bread, a local bakery specializing in making whole wheat loaves daily. A South Side fave for comfort food, Daley’s Restaurant is the oldest restaurant in the city, first opening back in 1892. The classic diner spent its first 127 years in the same spot on 63rd Street before moving to its current space across the street.
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Metro accessible Chicago area
63rd Street is Woodlawn’s main thoroughfare, connecting to DuSable Lake Shore Drive on its east side and to Interstate 90 on the west. Locals are about 9 miles south of the Loop.Car-free travelers can find bus stops along central roads such as Stony Island Avenue and 61st Street. Locals traveling on the ‘L’ train can catch the Green Line from the Cottage Grove station near Cottage Grove Avenue and 63rd Street. The neighborhood’s nearest Metra stations for commuter line service are on 59th Street and 63rd Street, both near the east side. Residents also have convenient connections for travel on foot thanks to the area’s key location. "They can walk to the lake, the lagoon, Hyde Park; all of them are nearby," Herrera says.
For medical services and emergency care, the UChicago Medicine campus is about 2 miles north. Locals traveling beyond the northern Illinois area can catch flights from Chicago Midway International Airport, 9 miles west of the neighborhood. Chicago O’Hare International Airport is 26 miles northwest.
Close to Hyde Park's Jazz Festival
Woodlawn shares much of its cultural events with Hyde Park to the north, including the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, which takes place each September. Ensembles and individual performers from Southside Chicago and around the world gather each year for two full days of free performances. The ACX Harper Theater - Hyde Park has been in operation for more than 100 years. In addition to screening mainstream movies, locals can catch distinctive events like the Chicago Underground Film Festival and the Black Alphabet Film Festival at the storied venue. Hip hop, afrobeats, jazz and R&B shows are frequent entertainment at The Promontory, a contemporary venue designed to keep the South Side’s musical traditions alive. The venue also hosts karaoke nights and silent disco events with tunes from local house, juke and footwork DJs.Things to know
Woodlawn’s CAP Index scores for violent crime are higher than the national average. Organizations such as Project HOOD (Helping Others Obtain Destiny), GoodKidsMadCity and Watchguard Chicago have each taken a hands-on approach to violence prevention in the neighborhood, each using outreach methods by and for the people living in Woodlawn and other South Side communities.The University of Chicago and the Obama Foundation broke ground on the Barack Obama Presidential Center at Jackson Park in 2021. Plans for the site include a museum documenting the president’s time in office, a library and a facility for athletics and educational programs.
Written By
Tre Lyerly
Video By
Drew Webster
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Robin Saka
Robin Saka
Stages Real Estate LLC
(708) 340-6898
47 Total Sales
1 in Woodlawn
$210,000 Price
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Mary Summerville
Mary Summerville
Coldwell Banker
(630) 931-8695
365 Total Sales
1 in Woodlawn
$405,000 Price
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Sohe Reyes
Sohe Reyes
Smart Home Realty
(872) 395-6376
134 Total Sales
1 in Woodlawn
$292,500 Price
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Kimberly Chase-Harding
Kimberly Chase-Harding
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
(773) 985-7719
87 Total Sales
2 in Woodlawn
$675K - $690K Price Range
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John Wright
John Wright
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Premiere Properties
(773) 832-5206
144 Total Sales
2 in Woodlawn
$120K - $277K Price Range
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Brandy Bell
Brandy Bell
Baird & Warner
(888) 774-4398
85 Total Sales
2 in Woodlawn
$525K - $565K Price Range
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
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Parks in this Area
Ashe Beach Park
- Picnic Area
- Tennis
- Playground
Mamie Till-Mobley Park
- Basketball
- Playground
Washington Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Boating
Jackson Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Dog Park
Beehive Park
- Playground
Rainbow Beach Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Trails
- Beach
Moccasin Ranch Park
- Playground
Harris (Harriet) Park
- Pool
- Events
- Community Center
Huckleberry Playground Park
- Playground
Transit
Airport
Chicago Midway International
18 min drive
Train
63Rd Street Station
Bus
67th Street & Cottage Grove
Bus
61st Street & Kenwood
Bus
63rd Street & Woodlawn
Bus
63rd Street & Greenwood
Bus
67th Street & East End
Bus
Stony Island & 62nd Street
Reviews
Niche Reviews
6/2/2016
Niche Review
I enjoy riding my bike to the park without worrying if I will make it home safe.
6/2/2016
Niche Review
There is a lot of police presence because there used to be a lot of shootings in my neighborhood. Occasionally there is a shooting however it is not as bad as it used to be.
2/18/2016
Niche Review
I tend to leave when I go to college but I will come back for my family.
10/21/2019
Niche Review
It shows a lot of promise as a neighborhood. It is close to the lake and the university of chicago, there is a golf club, beaches, museums and a lot of parks. Sadly, there is also a lot of empty lots and seedy areas where one does not feel very safe. I wish people saw the potential of this are and started populating it with homes and restaurants and retail.
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Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Woodlawn | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 8 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 8 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Woodlawn Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Woodlawn, Chicago sell after 25 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Woodlawn, Chicago over the last 12 months is $444,900, down 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$269,000
Median Sale Price
$444,900
Median Single Family Sale Price
$424,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$235,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
121
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-8%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$261
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,402
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1996
Months of Supply
0.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,909
Significantly above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,065
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,217
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
800
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920
Open Houses
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Saturday, Aug 22 - 4pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Condo Buildings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
15,337
Median Age
34
Population Density
15 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$29,631
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$52,079
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.5%
College Graduates
35%
Advanced Degrees
15.7%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
56.8%
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®
75
/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
59
/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
72
/ 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
Hyde Park
An urban neighborhood rich with history and retail opportunities
Jackson Park Highlands
A South Side gem with beaches, historic homes and tight-knit community
Grand Crossing
Home to community-focused residents and plenty of public transportation
West Woodlawn
A Chicago suburb embracing its history and sustainability
South Shore
A thriving community on the shore of Lake Michigan
Washington Park
A namesake park and University of Chicago make for a bustling neighborhood
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