Nelson Park
Suburban Neighborhood in Decatur, Illinois
Macon County 62521
$59,315
Average Value
$67
Average Price per Sq Ft
Lower prices, greater investment
Home prices are noticeably lower than the city average, with very few listings exceeding $100,000. Mostly, prices hover between $45,000 and $75,000, with some even in the $20,000 to $30,000 range. "They're smaller houses, and many of them are not necessarily kept up well," Eaton says. "However, a lot of people will invest in them to flip them into rentals." This reinvestment is slowly making Nelson Park an attractive launching pad for young professionals and working-class individuals looking for starter homes near employers. Bungalows and Craftsman-style cottages are the most common styles offered, with the occasional ranch-style home appearing on the market. A good portion of homes feature small, covered porches that overlook short grass lawns. Residents either park their cars in driveways or detached garages tucked behind homes. Certain streets are lined on one side with narrow sidewalks, but the inconsistency does make the area less pedestrian-friendly.
/
A little bit of everything in Nelson Park
The majority of Nelson Park is taken up by a green space of the same name; the park is a significant feature for residents and the city. It's home to the Lake Decatur Marina, a primary access point onto Basin 2 of Lake Decatur for cruising boaters and anglers fishing for bass, crappie and walleye. In early 2024, over 60 new rentable boat docks were added to the marina, and outdated docks are slowly being updated by G&H Marine. Near the marina are a dog park, a disc golf course and the Decatur 9/11 Memorial, a giant metal replica of the two towers with swirling motifs. The Anna Bethel Fisher Rock Garden and the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater are next up the shoreline. Eaton says, "The Devon is super popular. It puts on everything from local bands to big names." Family-friendly events and movie nights also regularly make it into the lineup. Nelson Park also has two major attractions: Overlook Adventure Park and Splash Cove. At Overlook, people can try their hand at putt-putt, dangle from the zipline and ropes course or practice their swing at the batting cages. Splash Cove is a huge outdoor water park with slides, swimming lanes and a lazy river. In between the attractions is a public playground for families looking for free fun.
/
Nearby agricultural education at Eisenhower
At the end of 2023, Illinois discontinued its statewide school choice program, so students attend their assigned schools within the district. Students are zoned for Baum Elementary School on the east side of Lake Decatur. 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. Students graduate from C-plus-rated Eisenhower High School, which is 1-1/2 miles from the neighborhood. It is also home to the Dwayne O. Andreas Ag Academy, which focuses on agricultural education.
/
The boat races are back in town
Leading up to June 2024, the city of Decatur and the Decatur Parks District prepared for the long-anticipated return of the SummerStart boat races on Lake Decatur. Citizens had not seen this long-standing event in over 20 years, and now charitable funding had been secured to bring it back. "It's good to have the boat races back at Nelson Park," Eaton says. "The lake is the best thing about this area, so we might as well use it!" Rebranded as Hardy's Highway Race for the Lake, thousands of spectators came to Nelson Park to watch hydro and flat-bottom boat teams compete on the waters of Basin 2. The event is expected to recur for another four years in the hopes of becoming a permanent tradition in Nelson Park once again.
/
Catching 36 to 72
Residents have many transportation options available to them. Highway 36 runs along one of the neighborhood's borders, acting as a main thoroughfare to Downtown Decatur and Interstate 72. It also connects to the city's eastern side and the Decatur Airport, about 3 miles away. For those who take public transit, bus stops can be found all along South 22nd Street, Nelson Park's western border. Bike trails run along the lakeshore at the bottom of the neighborhood. In the event of an emergency, HSHS St. Mary's Hospital is 1 mile south.
/
Surf and turf by the lakeshore
Nelson Park is brimming with places to eat. One of its most renowned spots is Beach House, with its sprawling lakefront views. Customers can choose between dining in its nautical interior or on the shaded patio facing the water. The menu's surf-and-turf platters draw crowds hungry for freshly caught seafood. Along South 22nd Street, diners can stop for a beer at Wild Dog Saloon or crispy fried catfish at Waterfront Cafe. Over by Highway 36, Over the Top Ice Cream Shop is a favorite stop post-swim at Splash Cove. Farther north, Krekel's Dairy Maid attracts burger lovers with its kitschy, red-and-white striped exterior. Half a mile outside the neighborhood, locals can do essential shopping at Save A Lot and Family Dollar. More boutique retail options are in the city center under 3 miles west.
/
Written By
Isabel Butler
Photography Contributed By
Stephen Mihalchik
Video By
Wengel Abiy
Was this overview helpful?
Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Kevin Fritzsche
Kevin Fritzsche
Responds QuicklyBrinkoetter REALTORS®
(217) 859-8589
372 Total Sales
1 in Nelson Park
$58,500 Price
-
Sandy McReynolds
Sandy McReynolds
Vieweg RE/Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate-Service First
(217) 859-8417
65 Total Sales
3 in Nelson Park
$52K - $67K Price Range
-
Tonya Feller
Tonya Feller
Vieweg RE/Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate-Service First
(217) 859-8058
150 Total Sales
3 in Nelson Park
$42K - $69K Price Range
-
Lacy Woodruff
Lacy Woodruff
Vieweg RE/Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate-Service First
(217) 859-8427
48 Total Sales
2 in Nelson Park
$54K - $107K Price Range
-
Tim Vieweg
Tim Vieweg
VIEWEG REAL ESTATE LLC
(217) 672-4684
572 Total Sales
2 in Nelson Park
$57K - $67K Price Range
-
JJ Devore
JJ Devore
Century 21 Quest
(217) 672-4667
351 Total Sales
2 in Nelson Park
$29K - $50K 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
- K to 6th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Nelson Park
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Nelson Park | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 7 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 7 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Nelson Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Nelson Park, Decatur sell after 17 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Nelson Park, Decatur over the last 12 months is $65,000, up 26% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$65,000
Median Sale Price
$65,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$65,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
12
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
26%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$67
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
114
Median Year Built
1953
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,656
Below the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
469
Median Age
45
Population under 18
20.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.9%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$43,333
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$61,311
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.5%
College Graduates
25.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.1%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.4%
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®
46
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
15
/ 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.
Reviews
Are you familiar with the Nelson Park neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Was this page helpful?
