Chester Park
Neighborhood in Duluth, Minnesota
St Louis County 55803, 55811, 55812
Winding, wooded trails and unparalleled views
Chester Park’s northern and western sides brush against the wooded areas of greater Duluth. For this reason, locals have a couple of options when they want to spend time outdoors. Just beyond College Street, there’s the Chester Park playground and hiking areas. The playground features a jungle gym and swing sets for kids to burn off extra energy. However, the jewel of Chester Park is its extensive hiking trails and views. Lean pine trees provide partial shade from the sun along these trails, with miniature waterfalls appearing throughout. North of the university’s campus lies the W. R. Bagley Nature Area, an equally picturesque outdoor refuge. At nearly 60 acres of forest, residents make the most of the area by catching glimpses of the wildlife and relaxing by the pond. “There’s a trail through all of Duluth, really,” says Funke. “You can connect to Hartley Nature Center, which runs through Congdon Park.” This dog-friendly area features a large pond to fish in and even more trails.A variety of home styles in Chester Park
Chester Park’s residential portion consists of streets that curve just south of the University of Minnesota-Duluth and its adjacent shopping center. Lot sizes are nearly uniform despite the streets not forming a perfect grid pattern. Classic bungalows and traditional-style homes are common, many built from 1900 to 1925. These established builds fetch, on average, between $300,000 and $400,000. “It’s a cool neighborhood. It’s like Congdon but more budget-friendly,” says Funke. As prices creep beyond $400,000, a more eclectic group of homes styles appears, such as Tudor Revivals, ranch-style and split-level homes. These vary so significantly that they sell for as low as $400,000 to a high of $1.2 million.All eyes are on the annual Grandma's Marathon
Recreation is a large part of what makes life in Chester Park special. “We have one of the top ten marathons in the United States; it’s called Grandma’s Marathon,” says Hedlund. Despite what the name would suggest, this event isn’t for the faint of heart. The race is 26.2 miles from end to end, changing only slightly in elevation. “It’s a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. You run right along Lake Superior, it’s beautiful and usually fills up right away,” says Hedlund. In 2024, more than 17,500 participants finished this race, setting a new record after 47 years of annual growth. As of 2023’s statistics, Grandma’s Marathon is the tenth largest in the country by participation.Getting the grade in Duluth Public Schools
Students in Chester Park can attend class within the Duluth Public School District, rated B overall by Niche. They begin at Congdon Elementary, which earns an A-minus. They then move to Ordean East Middle, which gets a B-plus. East High School rounds out the list with another B-plus, and offers technical, trades-based college credit courses like solidworks and prototyping processes. East High seniors can apply to the University of Minnesota-Duluth for higher education.Extreme winters in Duluth
Prospective home buyers should be aware of the dangers the winter months pose to greater Duluth. The National Weather Service's records indicate that heavy accumulated snowfalls plus subzero temperatures are common and often relentless. In early 2014, for example, Duluth experienced 23 consecutive days of temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit.Casual bites just off-campus
Most of Chester Park’s restaurants appear along Woodland Avenue, immediately east of the university campus. Of these, most are chains suitable for college students and those hurrying to grab and go. Pizza Hut, Jimmy John’s and QDOBA are the most recognizable fast-food destinations, as well as a Starbucks for morning energy. Tavern on the Hill is an exception to the chains surrounding it, as the spot is a locally owned, sit-down restaurant serving classic burgers, tacos and fish and chips. For groceries, folks can drive a mile south to the Super One Foods or just a few blocks beyond to the Whole Foods Co-Op.Hopping on the bus to Downtown Duluth
The Duluth Transit Authority serves the Chester Park neighborhood, offering bus routes from the southern end of the neighborhood into Downtown Duluth. A bus ride from where the university and the residential streets meet headed downtown takes 14 minutes. Reaching the airport via public transit is technically doable, but the 11-mile trip would last an hour and 15 minutes.

Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Karen Pagel Guerndt
Real Estate Services
(218) 626-6885
87 Total Sales
2 in Chester Park
$325K - $340K Price Range
-
Tracey Tellor
Tellor Realty LLC
(218) 506-6382
125 Total Sales
1 in Chester Park
$266,500 Price
-
MJ
Mike Jorgensen
Edina Realty, Inc. - Duluth
(218) 522-8572
49 Total Sales
1 in Chester Park
$270,000 Price
-
Jamie Sathers-Day
JS Realty
(218) 626-6929
385 Total Sales
2 in Chester Park
$250K - $291K Price Range
-
LJ
Loren Johnston
Responds QuicklyLewis & Clark, LLC
(218) 520-7034
126 Total Sales
1 in Chester Park
$306,000 Price
-
Brenna Fahlin
Responds QuicklyReal Living Messina & Associates
(218) 514-5990
312 Total Sales
15 in Chester Park
$130K - $500K Price Range
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Chester Park | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 2 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
Robbery | 3 | 4 |
Burglary | 4 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
Larceny | 4 | 4 |
Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Chester Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Chester Park, Duluth sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Chester Park, Duluth over the last 12 months is $335,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit 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

Duluth suburb of established mansions just minutes from downtown

Lakefront neighborhood outside Duluth known for its mansions and country club

Suburb with early 20th century homes outside Downtown Duluth

Duluth neighborhood known for its natural areas and older homes

Pseudo-suburban community bridging the gap between Downtown and rural Duluth

A hilltop neighborhood overlooking Downtown Duluth and Lake Superior