$131,590Average Value$104Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Muffley, home to Muffley Elementary
On the east side of Decatur sits Muffley, a cozy neighborhood anchored by an elementary school of the same name. Children can walk to school while professionals catch the nearby highway to reach the city center and major employers, like Caterpillar and ADM, within 5 miles. Outdoor recreation abounds with the spacious Sinawik Park offering diverse amenities and Lake Decatur less than 1 mile away. Everyday essentials can be found at two retail centers nearby, allowing residents to skip the trip into town to shop or dine.
Lake Decatur sits west of the Muffley neighborhood in Decatur, IL.
Professionals catch the nearby highway to reach major employers, like Caterpillar and ADM.
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Generations living in low-priced ranches and condos
Muffley's streets are relatively quiet despite being near a highway, and the neighborhood's inland location cushions it from flooding. Homes closest to Muffley Elementary School are connected by narrow sidewalks that hug the curb, while houses in the east and south are kept separate with spacious lots and more tree cover between properties. Ranches and split levels are the most common home styles, but a small condominium community is also tucked within the area. Prices typically range between $110,000 and $170,000, roughly $30,000 less than the average home in Decatur. While neighbors usually keep to themselves, there is a deep sense of harmony in the community that has kept people around for generations. "I was born and raised here, and what drew me back when choosing my own home was those family ties," says Brittany Lamb, Realtor at Brinkoetter Realtors. "There are families in the area from when I grew up that have stuck around, but I would say we're also seeing an influx of new homebuyers coming into the area." Lower prices attract first-time homebuyers and professionals who want to live outside downtown but keep a short commute.
Ranch houses are a common style found in Decatur's Muffley neighborhood.
Split-level homes are a popular choice found in the Muffley community of Decatur, IL.
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Walking to Muffley Elementary
At the end of 2023, Illinois discontinued its statewide school choice program, so students attend their assigned schools within the district. Muffley Elementary School is within the neighborhood, making it a walkable option for many students. It teaches kindergarten through sixth grade, meaning seventh and eighth graders attend Stephen Decatur Middle School. Both schools earn a C-minus score on Niche. Eisenhower High School is home to the Dwayne O. Andreas Ag Academy, which focuses on agricultural education. It earns a C-plus Niche score.
Muffley Elementary School serves students from Kindergarten through 6th grade in Decatur, IL.
Stephen Decatur Middle School is a public junior high with about 490 students in Decatur, IL.
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Getting to major employers via Highway 36
Highway 36 is the closest major road to Muffley. It crosses Lake Decatur, connecting residents to downtown and the rest of the city. Lamb says that traffic is minimal, with the commute only coming to a standstill if stopped by a passing train. This is rare, as the industrial train track runs alongside Highway 36, so the only real nuisance is the occasional sound of whistles blowing and rumbling wheels. Having the highway nearby is helpful in this car-dependent neighborhood since there is minimal public transportation. Around the corner from Muffley is also the Decatur Airport. Under 3 miles north, Lamb says locals appreciate being able to catch a flight quickly without all the noise and traffic of a major airport.
Sinawik Park acts as the main city park for the Muffley area. Its diverse amenities include multiple ball fields, tennis courts, a basketball court, an unshaded playground and a picnic shelter. Its vast open field is sometimes utilized by Muffley Elementary School right next door for after-school sports. Lamb says that while the park is well-maintained, it's undergone some renovations. "They recently put in the pickleball court and updated both the playground and basketball courts. There's also a nice walking path around the park, but it connects to other paths that can take you all the way around Basin 2 of Lake Decatur." For more connection with the lake, Ivy Hill Park sits south of Muffley, offering a quiet green space for contemplation. Visitors can look out at the water from benches lining the shoreline. Family fun is just 1/2 a mile away at the Scovill Zoo and the Children's Museum of Illinois. Locals can take kiddos for regular tours of these attractions or for special events, ranging from ice cream socials to summer camps.
A couple play a friendly game of pickleball at Sinawik Park in Decatur, IL.
A Muffley community resident enjoys the picnic area of Decatur's Sinawik Park.
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Grocery shopping along State Route 121
Muffley is directly south of a small retail center. Basics can be bought at Dollar General or Circle K, and Stix on 36 inside the Chevrolet Hall of Fame Museum is the local spot for casual American fare, a round of pool and vintage arcade games. El Corral Mexican next door is also an option for grub next door. Heavy-duty shopping is done 3 miles away at a major retail center along Illinois State Route 121. Walmart Supercenter, Five Below, Kroger and Aldi are some brand names that sit among a sea of well-known chain restaurants. Shoppers can even catch a movie at an AMC Classic. Heading south on 121 leads to even more options, and Downtown and all its locally owned restaurants and shops are just under 4 miles west via Highway 36.
Friends enjoy a game of billiards at Stix on 36 near Decatur's Chevrolet Hall of Fame Museum.
Muffey residents stop in for lunch at Decatur's El Corral Mexican Restaurant.
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Written By
Isabel Butler
Photography Contributed By
Otto Rascon
Video By
Andrew Perrius
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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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Randy Grigg,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Sinawik Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Muffley
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Muffley, Decatur sell after 16 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Muffley, Decatur over the last 12 months is $131,327, down 3% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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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
1,032
Median Age
51
Population under 18
18.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
33%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$65,892
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$81,686
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.2%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
26.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.6%
% Population in Labor Force
62.2%
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®
29/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
16/ 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.
