About halfway to Forsyth and a little to the west, Highland Place is a leafy suburban community in northern Decatur. A sprawling green space anchors the neighborhood to the south, while to the east, an early learning center and small businesses flank residential streets. When the offerings along Oakland Avenue aren’t enough, locals are only a few miles from diverse dining and brand-name shopping. A major road runs along the north, but homebuyers choose Highland Place for its proximity to Interstate 72.
Highland Place residents enjoy a lush green environment.
The local Kroger offers Highland Place folks a plentiful variety of goods.
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Well-kept homes from the 1970s
The neighborhood has primarily ranch-style and bi-level homes from the 1970s and 1980s, although bungalows and tri-level homes are also available. Plain says, “Some homes need renovation because of the age, but overall, it’s a well-kept neighborhood.” Prices range from $100,000 to $200,000, with a few properties priced as low as $80,000 and as high as $280,000. Lots are spacious with a little extra space between neighbors without being overly secluded. Streets are wide and tree-lined, making certain corners almost like country roads. Although streets are quiet overall, noise levels rise as residents approach the highway along the northern side of the neighborhood and the industrial train track that passes diagonally through the community.
Ranchers are one of many home options available in Highland Place.
Two very different Highland Place home styles are pictured above.
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Biking from Greendell to Rock Springs
At the bottom of the neighborhood sits Horace B. Garman Park, a 60-acre green space with nature trails and river access. Spring Creek occasionally floods the trails winding through the park’s woods, but the flooding stays contained to the park, cushioning homes from damage. Stevens Creek Bikeway passes by on the western side, connecting cyclists to Greendell Park less than 1 mile north. The bike trail also stretches 7 miles south toward Rock Springs Conservation Area, passing through Fairview Park on its way. IN addition to the trails, Garman Park has a communal garden, a picnic pavilion, sports courts and a playground. For indoor recreation, Highland Place is less than 2 miles west of the Decatur Family YMCA.
Stevens Creek Bikeway weaves through the entirety of Decatur, in which Highland Place resides.
Garman Park hosts the local children's football team, located near Highland Place.
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Pershing Early Learning Center inside the neighborhood
Inside the neighborhood is the unrated Pershing Early Learning Center, a grant-funded preschool where families are not required to pay tuition. The school also has Early Beginnings, a free home-visiting program that supports at-risk children. Kindergarten through sixth-grade students attend Franklin Grove Elementary School, followed by Stephen Decatur Middle School. Both schools have a C-minus rating on Niche. At MacArthur High School, students can join District 61 Explorer, a comprehensive training program preparing them for public safety careers. The school earns a C rating from Niche.
Stephen Decatur Middle School is an excellent school for all types of students.
Stephen Decatur Middle School offers plenty of fun after school activities.
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Taking Route 121 to I-72
Illinois State Route 121, the neighborhood’s northern border, is the primary route to get around the city. The road is lined with bus stops and leads toward Interstate 72 less than 3 miles northwest. “The interstate being so close is a major draw since it goes about anywhere,” says Plain. “Couldn’t be more than a 5-minute drive away.” I-72 leads toward smaller destinations like Forsyth and major cities like Springfield and Champaign. For long-distance travel, Highland Place is less than 10 miles from the Decatur Airport, which makes connections to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Despite proximity to the airport, Baker Woods residents experience minimal noise.
The Decatur Public Transit bus route makes commuting easy for MANA residents.
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Small-town shops along Oakland Avenue
Along Oakland Avenue, specialized businesses sit beside mom-and-pops. Drive-In Antiques sells collectibles, while Diamonds is a laidback spot for classic American diner food. Farther south, Port Royal Gastropub pairs loaded fries with live music, and Circle K serves everyday needs. However, if locals need more options, “there are a lot of shops and restaurants on the north side of town,” says Sherry Plain, a Decatur native and Realtor at Brinkoetter Realtors. “They might not be at your backdoor, but there’s always something close.” Within 2 miles are brand names like CVS, Save A Lot, Kroger and Aldi, as well as many nationally and locally known restaurant chains. Perkins Restaurant and Bakery is a self-described kid-friendly spot for pastries and breakfast, while Krekel’s West has been around since 1949, serving burgers and handspun milkshakes.
The Glass House has been serving the Highland Place area for years.
The Glass House is close to the Highland Place area and offers hand made glass pieces.
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Written By
Isabel Butler
Video By
James Segars
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Randy Grigg
Vieweg RE/Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate-Service First
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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Reach out to
Randy Grigg,
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Highland Place
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Highland Place Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Highland Place, Decatur sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Highland Place, Decatur over the last 12 months is $190,000, up 41% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$189,900
Median Sale Price
$190,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$190,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
12
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
41%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$109
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
88
Median Year Built
2009
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,062
Above the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,018
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Randy Grigg,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
340
Median Age
45
Population under 18
20.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.4%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$45,833
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$60,255
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.3%
College Graduates
5.2%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.2%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
56.1%
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®
21/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
7/ 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.
