On the east side of Decatur, Bayview offers homeowners expansive lake views, not bay waters like its name might suggest. "The fact that Bayview is right on Lake Decatur is a huge selling point," says Lori Eaton, Decatur local and Realtor at Glenda Williamson Realty. "And the neighborhood kind of gives you the feeling that you're not in town. It has an air about it that makes you feel outside the city limits without being too far from anything." The neighborhood's peaceful streets have near immediate access to a public dock, a prestigious country club and a major highway. Residents can quickly drive to retail corridors and the city center in under 4 miles. Students are close to their assigned elementary school as well.
A peninsula with a ranch style home in the Bayview neighborhood brings lake views to the fore.
Bayview is a neighborhood that has multiple directions for seeing Lake Decatur from a home.
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Diverse architectural styles at diverse prices
For the most part, homes in Bayview are set far back on lots, creating sprawling yards in front of homes. Architectural styles are diverse throughout the area; buyers find ranch-style homes beside split-level homes, bungalows, Cape Cods and completely custom styles. Prices are just as diverse, especially along North Country Club Road, according to Eaton. "Some homes cost around $150,000, while others go for over $1 million. Having a lake view is obviously a contributing factor, but so are house sizes," Eaton says. However, most listings typically hover in the $100,000 to $200,000 range, with larger, sometimes lakeside homes selling between $230,000 and $430,000. In the northeast is the Country Club Villas Condos Subdivision. Condos in this community cost between $270,000 and $450,000.
Among the diverse styles of architecture the A-frame stands apart as a Bayview custom home.
A split-level house with a wonderful view stands on a quiet street in the Bayview neighborhood.
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Private docks are a mainstay of teh Lake Decature waterfront properties in Bayview.
Boating around from private and public docks
Bayview is located along the lakeshore of Lake Decatur, specifically the lake's Staley Basin. While many people living along the shoreline have private docks, inland residents have just as much access to the water. At the neighborhood's northernmost point is Fishing Spot Boat Launch, a public dock where people launch all sorts of watercrafts, from motorboats to jet skis and kayaks. To the east is the Country Club of Decatur, East Decatur's prestigious golf course and clubhouse. Members play rounds on the green, swim in an Olympic-sized pool or work out their tennis arms. Bayview is near two other major recreational destinations; the popular Scovill Zoo is a little over 1 mile south, while Nelson Park and all its amenities are 2 miles west. At Nelson Park, visitors watch outdoor shows at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, make a splash at Splash Cove water park or play putt-putt at Overlook Adventure Park.
Michael E. Baum Elementary School offers plenty of fun after school activities.
Elementary education in adjacent neighborhood
Illinois lawmakers discontinued the state's school choice program at the end of 2023, so students now attend their assigned schools within their zoning. Bayview students are zoned for Baum Elementary School, which is adjacent to the neighborhood. They move on to Stephen Decatur Middle School, which hosts a Career Expo annually to expose students to new and exciting career paths. Both schools earn a C-minus rating from Niche. At the C-plus-rated Eisenhower High School, students can complete an associate degree through dual enrollment courses.
The US 36 highway brings residents of Bayview toward shopping or the other direction downtown.
Hopping onto Highway 36
Bayview has no public transportation, so most people drive to their destinations via Highway 36 along the neighborhood's southern border. Highway 36 connects to the city center and Interstate 72, a primary pathway to Springfield. North Country Club Road is the primary way people get onto the highway, although traffic can occasionally be stopped by the industrial train that runs parallel to 36. The neighborhood is also 1 mile west of the Decatur Airport, a regional airfield that makes connections to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Shopping all along Highway 36
Residents can shop and dine nearby without entering the city. Decatur Plaza Shopping Center, about 1-1/2 miles south, is home to the Chevrolet Hall Of Fame Museum. Inside the museum is Stix on 36, a laidback full-service bar and kitchen. It pairs casual American fare with pool tables and arcade games. Next door is a Mexican restaurant, a few businesses and a Dollar General. More shopping options are located along Illinois State Route 121, under 2 miles away. Brand names like Walmart, Aldi and Walgreens sit beside various chain restaurants. The thoroughfare also leads down toward Mount Zion, which is 4-1/2 miles south, or locals can cross Highway 36's bridge to get to Downtown Decatur under 4 miles west. The city center offers a variety of boutique shops and locally owned restaurants with outside-the-box menus.
For groceries, on US 36 across from Bayview, the Kroger is both convenient and well stocked.
Decatur Plaza Shopping Center on US 36 is adjacent to the Bayview neighborhood in Decatur.
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
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Blake McWilliams,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Bayview
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Bayview Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bayview, Decatur sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Bayview, Decatur over the last 12 months is $212,500, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$219,950
Median Sale Price
$212,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$212,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
20
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
6%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$108
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
189
Median Year Built
2014
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
4,456
Significantly above the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
37,679
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Blake McWilliams,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
576
Median Age
54
Population under 18
17.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
34.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$89,453
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$102,444
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
87.3%
College Graduates
29.1%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.1%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
3''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
10/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
3/ 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.
