$51,546Average Value$47Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
A renter-heavy neighborhood
Seeing its heaviest development in the 1940s to 1960s, Jasper Park was once filled with endless rows of bungalows, cottages and simple family homes. After losing nearly 400,000 manufacturing jobs, Decatur's population has steadily decreased since the 1980s, resulting in vacated houses and properties falling into disrepair. Though empty lots now divide the neighborhood's houses, Jasper Park's tall trees, cobblestone roads and sidewalks set far back from the streets remain. The neighborhood is popular with landlords who take advantage of its low housing prices then renovate and convert the properties into government-sponsored affordable housing. As a result, a diverse group of renters dominate the neighborhood and capitalize on of its transportation options, providing access to Downtown Decatur and Lake Decatur, as well as enjoy local shops and highly diverse schools nearby.
Jasper Park is bordered by train tracks and is a short trip from Lake Decatur.
Despite some homes falling into disrepair, they usually sell in three weeks in Jasper Park.
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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.
Homes sell between $25,000 and $70,000 in Jasper Park.
There are many affordable homes available in Jasper Park.
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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.
Jasper Park is bordered by train tracks and is a short trip from Lake Decatur.
Residents get their groceries at Kroger's in Jasper Park.
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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.
Despite some homes falling into disrepair, they usually sell in three weeks in Jasper Park.
Residents have a flair for decorating their homes in Jasper Park.
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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.
Muffley Elementary School has 368 students in grades K-6.
Stephen Decatur Middle School has a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1.
Eisenhower High School has 934 students in grades 9-12.
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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.
Hill Park has many amenities including a newly renovated basketball court.
Nelson Park is the perfect park to work up a sweat.
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Written By
Heather Haggerty
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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 Jasper Park, Decatur sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Jasper Park, Decatur over the last 12 months is $40,325, up 34% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Investor Special – Flip or Rent Opportunity!Unlock the potential of this value-add property located at 1525 E North St in Decatur, IL. This 2-bed, 1-bath home sits on a deep lot with solid bones, making it a prime candidate for renovation. Whether you're looking to flip for profit or build long-term rental income, this property offers a strong upside in a growing rental market. Surrounded by
Property Id: 2113056A decent and cute lovely 3 bedroom house in a nice neighborhood. friendly neighborhood and extra big backyard .Home is freshly painted
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