Neighborhood Empowerment
Urban Core Neighborhood in Decatur, Illinois
Macon County 62526
Two hemispheres of homes with their own styles and prices
Split into two distinct sections, Neighborhood Empowerment has homes north and south of West Harrison Avenue. While nearly every house in the neighborhood is priced around $60,000, there is a slight difference between the two hemispheres. In the southern half of the neighborhood, bungalows and worker's cottages from the early 1900s range between $40,00 and $55,000. Some outliers exist, like foreclosures as low as $7,000 and recently renovated houses as high as $70,000. The homes along the sidewalk-lined streets often feature narrow lots with gravel driveways and detached garages or carports. The northern half of the neighborhood has fewer rental units than the southern half, and "Most of the newcomers are young families and first-time homebuyers," says Randy Grigg, broker associate at Vieweg Real Estate, who has lived in the area for most of his life. "People take good care of their houses there." Ranch-style homes and Cape Cods from the 1950s range between $50,000 and $105,000. Regardless of price or condition, the homes in Neighborhood Empowerment sell after only three weeks on the market due to its proximity to Decatur Memorial Hospital. "A lot of the houses were built to accommodate hospital workers," Grigg says. "There are blue-collar workers there as well, but the hospital proximity is the main draw."
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Garfield Park is getting a facelift
Garfield Park is south of West Grand Avenue and has a playground, basketball courts and a backstop for baseball. The park is one of a few currently undergoing renovations through the Decatur Parks District. Residents can expect equipment updates, repainted court lines and minor fixes that will make a big difference. Monroe Park is south of the hospital and has the same features as Garfield Park. The park is within walking distance from most homes in the northern end of Neighborhood Empowerment. In the neighborhood, off Route 48, is Poage Arts & Recreation Center. Children and adults can attend visual arts, dance, music and theater classes for a small fee. The location also hosts birthday parties with themes of crafting, dancing or singing to choose from.
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Exploring career paths at Decatur Middle School
James B. Parsons Elementary School is about 2 miles north of the neighborhood. The kindergarten through sixth-grade school is rated a C-minus by Niche but holds a diversity rating of A. Seven neighborhood elementary schools are in Decatur, which all feed into Stephen Decatur Middle School. The school is rated a C-minus and has special days throughout the year for students to explore interests. Local colleges and businesses come to Career Day to teach students about different career paths and achievable opportunities both with and without a college degree. MacArthur High School is rated a C and is less than 2 miles from every home in the neighborhood.
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Decatur’s largest employers a short drive away
Large factories and industrial employers brought people looking for work to Decatur in the 1900s. Though the industries and many jobs have left the city, some long-time residents remain, often in the same homes their parents or grandparents originally owned. "Many people stay in Decatur because of the family ties and because it's inexpensive." Some large employers, like ADM and Caterpillar, remain in the area – only 6 miles east. The largest employer nearby, however, is Decatur Memorial Hospital. Nearly 2,300 Decatur residents are employed by the hospital just across North Monroe Street from Neighborhood Empowerment. Buses run along North Monroe Street on the east and Route 48 on the west.
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A long-standing burger joint next to a brand-new Indian restaurant
There are no restaurants in the residential neighborhood, but a few local favorites are nearby. Tandoori Express opened in the small Colonial Place shopping mall along Route 48 in July of 2023 but has already grown in popularity. Serving curry, samosas and other authentic Indian foods, the spot has a small sit-down area but is most popular for take-out. Next door to the small mall is Krekel's West. The local burger chain has a few locations in Decatur and was established in 1949. The drive-through is regularly busy with locals grabbing a burger, float or ice cream cone. Save A Lot is past the southwest corner of the neighborhood, but many head north to East Pershing Road for grocery shopping and running errands at national retailers and pharmacies.
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Written By
Heather Haggerty
Video By
Wengel Abiy
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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
279 Total Sales
1 in Neighborhood Empowerment
$60,500 Price
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Tasha Heacock
TH
Tasha Heacock
Responds QuicklyMtz Realty Services
19 Total Sales
1 in Neighborhood Empowerment
$29,000 Price
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Colleen Brinkoetter
Colleen Brinkoetter
Responds QuicklyBrinkoetter, Realtors
(217) 615-5474
124 Total Sales
1 in Neighborhood Empowerment
$56,900 Price
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Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher
Responds QuicklyMR. LANDMAN
(217) 614-4183
216 Total Sales
1 in Neighborhood Empowerment
$312,696 Price
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Blake Reynolds
Blake Reynolds
Responds QuicklyMain Place Real Estate
(217) 462-8079
183 Total Sales
1 in Neighborhood Empowerment
$35,000 Price
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Kevin Fritzsche
Kevin Fritzsche
Responds QuicklyBrinkoetter REALTORS®
(217) 859-8589
373 Total Sales
3 in Neighborhood Empowerment
$8K - $40K 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
- 7th to 8th
- Public
- K to 6th
- Public
- 9th to 12th
- Private
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Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Neighborhood Empowerment | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 9 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 8 | 4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Neighborhood Empowerment Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Neighborhood Empowerment, Decatur sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Neighborhood Empowerment, Decatur over the last 12 months is $44,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$47,850
Median Sale Price
$44,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$40,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
8%
Last 12 months Home Sales
52
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$68
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
516
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Median Year Built
1950
Months of Supply
0.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,409
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,668
Median Age
39
Population under 18
25.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$36,458
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$41,498
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85%
College Graduates
8.2%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
54.1%
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®
38
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
44
/ 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
Garfield Park
Compact Arts and Crafts homes at the intersection of two major thoroughfares
GM Square
Affordability and an evolving community reinvent a neighborhood after struggles
Ravina Park
A blue collar neighborhood in Decatur's northwestern corner
The Elms
Affordable homes and community ties in the heart of Decatur
Martin Luther King
Empty lots and inexpensive homes leave room for regrowth in a once busy spot
Fairlawn
Quiet neighborhood in Decatur’s West End that’s home to MacArthur High School
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