Mueller Park
Urban Core Neighborhood in Decatur, Illinois
Macon County 62521
Less vacancy, more owner-occupancy
The neighborhood's housing market has not always been the strongest. In 2019, over 50% of the neighborhood was vacant structures. By 2022, the condition of some of these vacant structures worsened, but simultaneously, the overall number of vacant parcels decreased. In turn, the number of owner-occupied residences increased in the area. Some pivotal government programs that have contributed to housing improvements include the Owner-Occupied Residential Rehabilitation Program, the Owner-Occupied Small Home Improvement Program and the Landlord Loan Program. These programs, and ones to come, incentivize homeowners to reinvest in Mueller Park and restore blighted properties. Investment properties needing partial to complete renovation typically cost between $20,000 and $70,000, while move-in ready homes and condos sell between $100,000 and $200,000. Buyers have diverse aesthetics to work with, as the neighborhood features cozy bungalows, ranch-style homes, condominiums and large two-story properties with New Traditional, Craftsman-style and Dutch Colonial design elements. Homes sit along gridded streets with narrow sidewalks and mature trees that stretch out to shade front lawns.
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Home to the Decatur Parks District
Mueller Park shares its name with its primary green space, which is in the neighborhood's center. It also houses the Decatur Park District's main building and parking lot. Clay Gerhard, executive director at Decatur Park District, shares that while Mueller Park may have simple amenities, it is frequently used by the community for diverse activities. "Mueller Park has the Frontiers Building, which is reserved for various community groups," Gerhard says. "We've also recently renovated the playground, and the area has always been a hub for basketball and organized sports. Lots of junior football leagues play on the open field there." Other community organizations inside the neighborhood include Bushido Judo Corporation and Night Owls Motorcycle Club. The neighborhood also sits beside Basin 1 of Lake Decatur, so many residents spend their free time on the water. To throw a baited line in, anglers drive a little over 1 mile across a bridge to get to Fisherman's Warf, a public fishing pier. Mueller Park is also 2-1/2 miles from Lake Decatur Marina, where boaters can rent a seasonal or daily spot for their vessel. The marina is located within Nelson Park, an outdoor destination for various recreation and entertainment, from live concerts to a day at the water park.
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School events at South Shores Elementary
Students living in Mueller Park attend South Shores Elementary School on the south side of Decatur. Kristi Mullinix, the school's principal, says that the administration organizes many family-oriented events throughout the year, from cookouts to holiday celebrations, and even does larger events off school grounds. "This August, we're doing an event at Splash Cove in Nelson Park," Mullinix says. "The school is renting out the entire water park for a day so all of our families can come to spend quality time with one another." Older children attend Stephen Decatur Middle School in Decatur's north. Both schools earn a C-minus Niche score. Students graduate from Eisenhower High School, which has a C-plus rating and offers pre-apprenticeship programs for various skilled trades.
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Public works buildings nearby
Within Mueller Park are a few essential public works buildings. Decatur Lake Management and the Decatur Water Management Department share a space at the bottom of the neighborhood, while the City of Decatur Bulk Water Sales dispensing station sits to the west. For the most part, residents are unaffected by the presence of these buildings. However, as with any water management plant, the water treatment process can occasionally dispense strong odors into the surrounding community.
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Crossing the lake or heading to Highway 36
Across the board, Decatur is a heavily car-dependent city, but Mueller Park residents can access many bus stops in the neighborhood. Drivers are right at the intersection of Illinois State Route 105 and Business Route 51, which turns into a bridge over Lake Decatur to the south and a passageway downtown to the north. This intersection sometimes experiences increased traffic, so it can cause excess noise during rush hours. Route 105 also leads to HSHS St. Mary's Hospital, 1 mile away, and connects to Highway 36, leading to the Decatur Airport, 6 miles east.
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Downtown's main stretch just north
Mueller Park is positioned directly below the city's central business district. To get to downtown's main strip, people drive 1 mile north along South Main Street or South Franklin Street, also called Business Route 51. In downtown, fine dining establishments like Decatur Club and The Gin Mill sit near boutique shops and casual dives like Doherty's Pub & Pins and The River Coffee Company. Closer to home, Krispy Krunchy Chicken / United Discount specializes in Chicago-style fast food, from Cajun fried chicken to cheesesteaks. N J's Place to the northwest earns the title of hometown favorite, as locals stroll in and out throughout the day for a drink with friends and a round of slots. A few hair salons and barber shops are also dispersed along residential streets. A little over 1 mile south is South Towne Plaza, a retail center featuring brand names like Kroger, Dollar General and Walgreens.
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Written By
Isabel Butler
Video By
Marcus Rosendoll
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Randy Grigg
Randy Grigg
Vieweg RE/Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate-Service First
(217) 672-5060
278 Total Sales
2 in Mueller Park
$180K - $195K Price Range
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Amanda Godden
AG
Amanda Godden
Responds QuicklyGlenda Williamson Realty
(217) 571-3450
14 Total Sales
1 in Mueller Park
$36,000 Price
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Tasha Heacock
TH
Tasha Heacock
Responds QuicklyMtz Realty Services
19 Total Sales
1 in Mueller Park
$27,000 Price
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Blake Reynolds
Blake Reynolds
Responds QuicklyMain Place Real Estate
(217) 462-8079
183 Total Sales
2 in Mueller Park
$13K - $51K Price Range
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Jillian Williams
Jillian Williams
Responds QuicklyMain Place Real Estate
(217) 615-5822
120 Total Sales
2 in Mueller Park
$50K - $736K Price Range
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Jim Cleveland
Jim Cleveland
RE/MAX Executives Plus
(217) 859-8516
576 Total Sales
6 in Mueller Park
$5K - $73K Price Range
Schools
Source:
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 7th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Nelson Park
Decatur Park District
Rotary Park
Lincoln Park
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Mueller Park | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 8 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 8 | 4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Mueller Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Mueller Park, Decatur sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Mueller Park, Decatur over the last 12 months is $53,750, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$67,400
Median Sale Price
$53,750
Median Single Family Sale Price
$50,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$163,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
24
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
3%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$85
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
190
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1987
Months of Supply
0.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,327
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,499
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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$1,100 per month
- House for Rent
- 3 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 1,012 Sq Ft
- 1089 S Martin Luther King jr Dr
- Decatur, IL
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
Total Population
1,224
Median Age
39
Population under 18
27.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$40,765
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$54,121
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.2%
College Graduates
8%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.9%
% Population in Labor Force
52%
Below the national average
65.1%
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®
28
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
27
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Johns Hill
An old neighborhood, revitalized by community programs and a remodeled school
Saint Mary's
Affordable homes and lake access near Saint Mary's Hospital
South Shores
Affordable homes in a family-friendly area just south of Lake Decatur
Southmoreland
A private lakeside community in the heart of Decatur
Bayshore
South Decatur community with lakeside estates and a nearby elementary school
Jasper Park
Investors take advantage of affordable prices in this near-downtown neighborhood
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