Jasper Park
Urban Core Neighborhood in Decatur, Illinois
Macon County 62521
Homes brought up to government standards
The gridded residential streets of Jasper Park are no stranger to construction and demolition. Remnants of empty driveways lead to many empty lots; some homes have boarded-up windows. The neighborhood has more renters than other Decatur areas and a large pool of cultural diversity as a result. "Because they aren't owner occupied, the homes are more likely to fall into disrepair," Good says. Bungalows, worker's cottages, simple Victorians from the 1920s and ranch-style homes sell anywhere between $25,000 and $70,000. Gravel alleyways intersect the gridded streets, leading to detached garages and small backyards behind the one or two-bedroom homes. Despite their condition, homes in the neighborhood sell after an average of three weeks on the market. This turnover is partly because they are quickly "bought by investors that turn them into grant housing for those who can't afford a mortgage," Good says. The houses must be brought up to government standards before they can be rented, so renovations are common. A few houses needing a total overhaul sell for as little as $8,000.New courts and fields at the nearby park
There are no painted lines on the basketball court at Jasper Park, but that doesn't stop it from being the neighborhood spot for a pick-up game. Kids can also play baseball or wiffleball on the large field with a backstop or climb on the jungle gym. Hill Park is south of Johns Hill Magnet School. Paved walking trails lead to recently updated tennis and basketball courts. A newly paved parking lot accompanies a brand-new baseball diamond with dugouts and a scoreboard. When not used by gym classes or after school sports programs, the football and soccer fields are open to the public.Diverse public schools with language programs
Students of Jasper Park are zoned for Muffley Elementary School. Rated a C-minus by Niche, the school is across Lake Decatur. Stephen Decatur Middle School is next in line and is rated a C-minus. The school is in the top 10% of the most diverse public schools in the state. Eisenhower High School is a mile south and is rated a C-plus. Instead of attending the zoned elementary and middle school, students can choose to attend Johns Hill Magnet School for kindergarten through eighth grade. Rated a C, it is in the top 2% of most diverse public schools in the state. The district's English Language Learners program operates out of the building. Over 14 languages are spoken at home by the students.High accessibility and ample transportation
Bordered by train tracks to the north, east and west, Jasper Park deals with passing trains daily. "Noise from the train tracks isn't the issue: it's the traffic," says Amanda Good, a Realtor at MTZ Realty Services who lived in the area for most of her life. "If you hit a train at some of the intersections, you'll be waiting for it to pass for a while." However, when the crossing gates are up, and the lights aren't flashing, it's quite easy to get around the area. Buses run throughout the neighborhood along East Eldorado Street, East Wood Street and East Prairie Street. Sidewalks are everywhere, and though their condition varies from street to street, they lead to Downtown Decatur – a mile west. The area has no designated bike lanes, so bikers must watch out for parked cars, potholes or missing cobblestones in the streets. The intersection of Eldorado Street and North 22nd Street is what some locals call "Five Points" due to five main roads and streets converging there. "There are grocery stores and shopping spots right near the intersection, but also main roads that lead to the rest of the city," Good says.Shopping at the nearby intersection
Save A Lot, Family Dollar and Dollar General are to the east, at the "Five Points" intersection. U.S. Route 36 leads southeast, across Lake Decatur, to a large shopping plaza just south of the Decatur Airport. Walmart and Kroger anchor the plaza with plenty of national fast-food chains. Back near home, Krekel's Dairy Maid and Krekel's Kustard serve ice cream cones, shakes and sundaes from classic, window-service hamburger joints. With one in the eastern part of the neighborhood and another in the west, every home is within a mile's walk or drive of juicy, topping-heavy burgers. East Eldorado Street is the busiest street in the neighborhood, with pawn shops, liquor stores and convenience shops. Also on the street is Helen's Corner Thrift Shoppe. Shoppers can dig through bins and roam the isles that tower with furniture, knickknacks and clothing that sells for as little as one dollar.

Agents Specializing in this Area
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Randy Grigg
Vieweg RE/Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate-Service First
(217) 672-5060
278 Total Sales
4 in Jasper Park
$6K - $39K Price Range
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Kevin Fritzsche
Responds QuicklyBrinkoetter REALTORS®
(217) 859-8589
372 Total Sales
1 in Jasper Park
$20,000 Price
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Jillian Williams
Responds QuicklyMain Place Real Estate
(217) 615-5822
120 Total Sales
3 in Jasper Park
$45K - $95K Price Range
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Amanda Good
Mtz Realty Services
(217) 859-8110
189 Total Sales
14 in Jasper Park
$12K - $90K Price Range
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Jim Cleveland
RE/MAX Executives Plus
(217) 859-8516
577 Total Sales
10 in Jasper Park
$12K - $190K Price Range
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Stacey Wenskunas
Vieweg Real Estate
(217) 859-8045
130 Total Sales
6 in Jasper Park
$6K - $25K Price Range
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Jasper Park | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 9 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 8 | 4 |
Robbery | 6 | 4 |
Burglary | 7 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
Larceny | 4 | 4 |
Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Jasper Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Jasper Park, Decatur sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Jasper Park, Decatur over the last 12 months is $30,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Somewhat Walkable
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

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Small, renter-friendly neighborhood near downtown with many outreach organizations

Revitalizing neighborhood with a transformative community garden

Empty lots and inexpensive homes leave room for regrowth in a once busy spot

Small residential neighborhood where industrial workers can live close to work