$335,217Average Value$152Average Price per Sq Ft35Homes For Sale
A charming Main Street alongside open prairies
South of Chicago, Crete is a village where the quiet of suburbia contrasts with the hubbub of the big city 35 miles to the north. Much of Crete’s charm comes from its Main Street, where residents shop at local boutiques, play trivia games at breweries and catch live music on weekends. “A big appeal of Crete is the quaint downtown area and all of the interesting shops,” says resident and Realtor Greta McKenna. “And the town features tons of beautiful, wooded areas and open prairie lands.” Single-family homes are available in various architectural styles, from Cape Cods and Foursquares to ranch- and new traditional-style homes. The village typically has lots for sale, making it a desirable spot for those looking to build their dream home.
A Brick Foursquare Style House Located Just Outside of Downtown Crete
Newer modern traditional style houses are also a common site in Crete.
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Historic, ranch- and New Traditional-style homes
Crete was founded in 1836 and has been continuously developed since, so housing comes in a range of ages and architectural styles. Early 20th-century Cape Cods and American Foursquares include renovations. Mid-century ranch-style homes are common, with many also undergoing renovations for practical and stylistic purposes, and houses built in the 1990s to present are typically New Traditional-style. Neighborhood streets in Crete get denser toward the center of the village, where big shady trees cover sidewalk-lined streets, and on the outskirts, homes sit farther apart on larger lots. Crete still has plenty of undeveloped land, so lots are generally available. The village's overall median home price is $275,000, below the Chicagoland median of $360,000 and the national median. To the east, in the Faithorn neighborhood, the median price rises to $450,000, with open spaces and farmland common. In Goodenow, to the south, home prices balance at $335,000 -- half sell for more, half for less -- in largely rural surroundings.
Dominant industries include health care and social assistance, educational services, and retail trade.
A brick foursquare style house located just outside of downtown Crete.
Brick style rancher homes with plenty of yard space and an attached garage are common in Crete.
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Neighborhood parks and nearby golf courses
Martin Piepenbrink Memorial Park and Gordon Park provide community playgrounds, while Heritage Park and the Willard Wood Park Center offer more expansive facilities. Heritage Park has baseball fields and a skate park, and Willard Wood Park Center has a swimming pool and rental event space. The center also offers youth karate, art and guitar classes and an adult pickleball league.
Golfers can head to Lincoln Oaks Golf Course or Deer Creek Golf Course, both of which are semi-private facilities.
Martin Piepenbrink Park was dedicated in 2004.
Deer Creek Golf Club has a very nice golf course and is near the Crete area.
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Community events at the Crete Public Library and Crete Park District
Between the Crete Public Library District and the Crete Park District, Crete offers a variety of events and programming. At the Crete Public Library, residents can join book clubs, take technology classes, attend movie nights and listen to lectures by guest speakers. The Crete Park District hosts annual community events, such as an Earth Day village cleanup and an Easter egg hunt. To catch shows from some of the biggest names in music, residents head 14 miles northwest to Tinley Park’s Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre.
Crete F Men Special Needs Easter event in Crete was attended by many of the residents.
Crete residents love going to the public library for the best books around.
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Shopping and dining along Main Street
Restaurants line Main Street, which runs through the center of the community. Pizza joints, sports bars and Mexican restaurants dot the major thoroughfare. Smokey Jo’s is known for its barbecue .At Evil Horse Brewing Company, residents enjoy craft beers at events like bingo, trivia nights and live music performances. Downtown has boutiques, florists and hobby stores. For most shopping, locals will have to head north to U.S. Route 30, which features grocery stores, such as Walt's, and big box retailers.
Smokey Jo's frequently hosts live entertainment for Crete's residents to enjoy.
Smokey Jo's Scratch Kitchen & Ale House in Crete, IL serves delicious food & great live music.
Walt's Supermarket in Crete, IL carries a wide variety of fresh fruits & vegetables.
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Crete-Monee School District 201-U
Students attend schools in Crete-Monee School District 201-U, which scored a C-plus on Niche. The district operates six elementary schools, one middle and one high school, serving about 4,500 students.
For private education, there’s the A-rated Illinois Lutheran Elementary School and the B-rated Illinois Lutheran High School.
Crete-Monet High School serves students living in Crete.
Crete Monee Middle School has over 1000 students with a C rating on Niche.
Balmoral Elementary School has approximately 422 students that attend the school.
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Getting to Chicago from Crete
State Route 1 bisects Crete, providing direct access to Chicago to the north. There’s no fixed-route public transit in Crete, so residents mainly rely on cars to get around. The closest hospital to Crete is Franciscan Health in Olympia Fields, 9.5 miles north, and the nearest airport is Chicago Midway International Airport, about 33 miles away.
With no public transit in Crete, cars are what residents rely on cars to get around the area.
Franciscan Health in Olympia Fields is the closest hospital to Crete.
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Crime and climate
Crete has a humid continental climate and experiences four seasons. According to FBI data, the rates of reported violent crime and property crime in Crete are lower than the Illinois average and national average.
Written By
Stephanie Davison
Video By
Kyo Nguyen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jay Patel,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Crete, IL sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Crete, IL over the last 12 months is $284,900, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
LOOK AT THIS BEAUTY!!! THIS HOME IS SITUATED ON APPROX 1 ACRE OF LAND NESTLED ON A QUIET CUL-DA-SAC WITH MANY MATURE TREES. THERE ARE 5 SPACIOUS BEDROOMS, WITH 5 BATHS READY FOR THE GROWING FAMILY OR RELATED LIVING. THE HUGE FENCED YARD IS PERFECT FOR RELAXING ON A NICE SUMMER DAY OR ENTERTAINING DURING WARM WEATHER MONTHS. MORE FEATURES OF THIS MAINTAINED HOME: 3,752 SQ FT, NEWER METAL ROOF (ON
Welcome home to this spacious 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence offering the perfect combination of space, comfort, and opportunity! From the generous living areas to the well-designed floor plan, there's room for everyone to spread out and enjoy. The unfinished basement is a blank canvas ready for your vision-whether it's a recreation room, home theater, fitness space, additional bedrooms, or extra
Opportunity awaits with this one-of-a-kind resort-style estate situated on approximately 1.6 acres. This spacious 5-bedroom, 4-bath home offers incredible potential for the right buyer willing to bring their vision. Behind the gated entrance, you'll find a private retreat featuring a heated in-ground pool with slide, a stocked pond, and a fully fenced backyard with no neighbors behind creating
Tucked along the serene eastern edge of Crete in unincorporated Will County, this exceptional 14+ acre property offers a rare opportunity to create your own private retreat surrounded by nature. Perfectly positioned near I-394 for convenient access, yet secluded enough to feel worlds away, this parcel, Zoned A-1, strikes an ideal balance between accessibility and tranquility. Bordering Goodenow
A new BIG 2025 16'X66' Adventure home at an unbelievable price $48400+tax in Queens Estates, Crete, IL an all age community. Welcome to your new home in the welcoming Queens Estates Community in Crete, IL! This 2025 Adventure Home offers 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, perfect for comfortable living. Buying a new home comes with huge advantages brand-new flooring, appliances, windows,
Incredible Investment Opportunity - Historic Village Woods Retirement Home. Now available for sale, this expansive property offers unmatched potential. Ideally located just off Route 394 and adjacent to the scenic Balmoral Woods Golf Course, this unique site includes the iconic high-rise building and the attached rotunda-an ideal space for a restaurant or event venue. With approximately 51 acres
Take a look at this incredible sprawling TRUE BRICK AND SIDING RANCH, placed on a double lot along a beautiful tree-lined street in SWISS VALLEY of LINCOLNSHIRE ESTATES. This 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 Bath home has an incredible addition that includes a spacious Kitchen & Bonus Room, along with a bright expansive Rec Room. Fireplace in Family Room with double sliders leading to a massive Deck. Living Room
RANCH TOWNHOME - LAKEFRONT VIEWS - FINISHED WALKOUT BASEMENT! Fully updated & in excellent condition, this stunning 2 bedroom 3 full bath townhome in Village Woods boasts over 2400 finished square ft, lakefront views from nearly every room, PLUS a finished walkout basement! Enjoy coffee with a view on the upper deck, or read a book on the shaded patio; the lake is fishable (catch & release).
Set on nearly 3.5 private acres, this beautifully remodeled quad-level home in Crete offers the perfect balance of space, privacy, and lifestyle. Updated in 2024, the home features 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, over 3,600 sq. ft. of living space, and a 3-car detached garage. Inside you'll find vaulted ceilings, a cozy wood-burning fireplace, a bright sunroom filled with natural light, and an
Move-in ready property, nestled into the beautiful Lincolnshire Estates subdivision. This home is on a quiet street, containing all of the modern-day amenities you in a true beach cottage style home. This home boasts hardwood floors throughout with one large living room, family room, a formal dining room, and a completely renovated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops.
Welcome to 3708 Cooper Place, a truly one-of-a-kind home in Crete's desirable Lincolnshire Estates! Set on a gorgeous property previously featured on the Crete Woman's Club Garden Walk, this distinctive home beautifully blends timeless character, thoughtful updates, and incredible versatility. Step inside to discover charming details, including vintage crystal glass doorknobs, an updated kitchen
Joanne Dal Santo@properties Christie's International Real Estate
3 Lots left set along the scenic and welcoming St.Andrews Drive that wraps you through the Lincoln oaks Golf course and Country Club. Each lot aggressively priced and a package deal for the one who gets in to grab them all for $80,000. Cash sale and only available as they last - FULLY Plated and ready to purchase. Be sure to ask an agent to download the full plat and check out the on line
Discover an exceptional opportunity on this expansive 6.02-acre vacant land parcel in the heart of Crete, Illinois - perfect for your custom build or investment vision! Ideally situated on Faithorn Avenue with excellent frontage along a county road, this generous tract offers a rare chance to design your dream property with plenty of space for flexibility, privacy, and outdoor enjoyment. The
St. James Senior Apartments is an income-restricted community welcoming residents 62 and better. We offer one and two bedroom units with a fully equipped kitchen, private patio or balcony and washer/dryer hookup. This community is gated with controlled access, providing such amenities as a clubhouse with business center, fitness center and movie theater! Located just minutes from major retail
Beautifully updated 3bedroom, 1bath home featuring a full unfinished basement and an oversized 3car garage-ideal for storage, vehicles, or hobby space. The main level offers a bright living area, a functional kitchen layout, and three wellsized bedrooms. The property includes a spacious yard for outdoor enjoyment, with additional storage or workspace available in the basement. Convenient location
Goodenow is an unincorporated community to the south of the village of Crete. The area is primarily rural and contains remnant Oak trees and prairie grass, with many houses on large, wooded lots. Those searching for a quieter, private lifestyle only 39 miles south of Chicago will enjoy living in Goodenow.<br><br>"People move to Goodenow for the rural living," says local Realtor Greta McKenna. "The neighborhood features many beautiful, wooded areas and open prairie lands, and you have the nature preserve right there and two public golf courses."<br><br>House styles in the area vary widely, ranging from manufactured homes to ranch-style homes to custom-built "Country Victorian" homes. A 2021 3-bed, 2-bath manufactured home in Pheasant Lake Estates will cost you $109,000 and comes with a private driveway. A 3-bed, 2-bath ranch-style house with a heated inground pool, driveway and 2-car garage sitting on an acre of land costs around $299,000. For $525,000, you can buy a 4-bed, 3-bath custom-built Country Victorian sitting on two and a half acres of land across the street from Tuckaway Golf Club.<br><br>The nearest school in the area is Balmoral Elementary School, to the north. The school has a highly active and supportive PTO, which ensures students and staff have the resources needed to succeed. Illinois Lutheran High School is a private school in Crete, offering a faith-based education for high schoolers, boasting an average class size of 15 students.<br><br>There are plenty of outdoor activities for you to check out in Goodenow. The 891-acre Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve features over two miles of natural trails, perfect for hiking or running in the summertime and snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the wintertime. Several threatened or endangered animal species are in the preserve, such as the Kirtland's snake. You'll also find endangered plant species, like the spotted coral-root orchid and ear-leafed foxglove. There's also a 40-foot hill perfect for sledding in the winter. Bring your own sled or rent one at the Plum Creek Nature Center. Balmoral Woods sits next to the nature preserve and is rated one of Chicagoland's best public golf facilities. The country club has hosted numerous local CDGA Amateur events, Illinois PGA events and tournaments and is the annual home of the prestigious Will County Amateur Championship, held every spring. Tuckaway Golf Club, to the southeast, is another public golf course, designed in 1960 by John Ellis and features 6,225 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par 71.<br><br>You'll have to drive north to Walt's Food Center in Crete for groceries. You'll have to head to the same area when you want to eat out. For pizza, stop by Main Street Exchange Pizza Bar. Customers love the atmosphere, prices, and crispy crust. When you're craving barbeque or just looking for a casual spot to watch your favorite sports team, head to Smokey Jo's Scratch Kitchen and Ale House. The restaurant sells half-price burgers every Monday when you dine in and has live music throughout the week. Looking for a cozy coffee shop to hang out in? Look no further than The Edge Coffee House and Roasting. Get the iced chai latte and bring your favorite book.<br><br>While it may not be a bustling city, Goodenow offers a peaceful and relaxing environment with a wide range of outdoor activities for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life.
You’ve got to have faith in Faithorn: this area has managed to retain a small town lifestyle that’s easygoing, despite being just 30 miles south of bustling downtown Chicago.<br><br>“It has a rural feeling, but it’s a short drive to the Loop,” says Realtor Wendy Lee. “There are several options for homebuyers, from townhomes to single-owner homes on large lots.” <br><br>You can find investment properties starting around $100,000, and these are often split-level homes. But as you get closer to downtown Crete on the west end, you’ll see prices begin to hover around $400,000. These are slightly more contemporary properties, built in the 80s and expressing a clean look with bold brick façades. <br><br>The lots for many single-owner homes are indeed large, sometimes approaching a full acre. Interiors are open, airy and bright, often featuring updates to floors, kitchen areas and bathrooms. Street layouts put you in proximity to homes of a similar style, creating a cozy yet quiet sense of community cohesion. Thanks to sidewalks, many stretches are welcoming to pedestrians. <br><br>Crete Elementary has over 400 students enrolled in grades K-5, and Niche awarded the school a B- in the category for academics. In 2023, the Midwest PBIS Network recognized Crete Elementary for fostering social, emotional and behavioral awareness. Crete-Monee Middle enrolls over 1,000 students in grades 6-8 and earned an A from Niche in the diversity category. Curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, culminating in a community service project for 8th grade students. Crete-Monee High is the biggest educational institution for residents of Faithorn, with 1,500 students enrolled in grades 9-12. The school received a B- from Niche in the category of college prep. This is a relatively new school, too, completed in 2007 with a $60 million investment. <br><br>Even though Faithorn has that small town feel, you can still satisfy your itch for modern convenience and shopping destinations. The Calumet Expressway on the east end connects you with all sorts of retail amenities and fast casual eateries. If you’re looking to expand your palette without traveling to the city, just try a local restaurant like Black Salt Indian Bar and Restaurant. Inside you’ll find elegant dark wood and a sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for exploring dishes like spicy fried cauliflower. <br><br>When residents are trying to run errands, they often head to Chicago Road, which passes through downtown Steger. Here you’ll find big grocery stores like Jewel-Osco. You’ll also be close to entertainment options, like Austin Community Tavern, a popular live music venue in the area. <br><br>Escaping into nature is a preferred pastime for residents of Faithorn, too. The Plum Valley Preserve is a prime spot for observing local wildlife and plant life, like lobed violet, sycamore and red pine. Across nearly 500 acres you can encounter forest and wetland habitats. If you’re a fan of hiking and biking, pick up the 3.5-mile Plum Creek Greenway Trail. Or, if you prefer to bring a furry friend along, there’s a 9-acre off-leash dog park. <br><br>With a full pipeline of schools servicing the area, plus access to huge nature preserves and fun dining options, you don’t need to make a big leap of faith to enjoy Faithorn.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Crete Has More Owners
Rental Home Trends
Number of Homes for Rent
1
Median Rent
$2,300
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,475
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$2,825
Median Condo Rent
$1,350
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,350
Demographics
Total Population
8,240
Median Age
46
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$87,990
Above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$108,027
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.2%
On par with the national average
89%
College Graduates
32.3%
Advanced Degrees
12.3%
% Population in Labor Force
59.6%
Below the national average
64.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
30''
Area Factors
Somewhat bikeable
Bikeability®
30/ 100
Somewhat walkable
Walkability®
30/ 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
