$281,641Average Value$322Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Elgin’s first development
When James Gifford founded Elgin in 1835, he designated 400 acres east of the Fox River as the first housing development. That piece of land is part of what is now the Gifford Park neighborhood, also known as the Elgin Historic District. “When the area started developing, it was the only housing in Elgin, so the big owners of the big companies were in the same neighborhood as the factory workers,” says Paul Bednar, a Realtor with Real People Realty, who is a resident of this historic neighborhood and is an active board member of the Gifford Park Association, which works to preserve the integrity of the neighborhood.
Large lots provide Gifford Park with plenty of privacy.
American 4-Squares are just one of the historical home styles found in Gifford Park.
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Helping preserve the historic homes in Gifford Park
While a few houses were built in the 1840s when the neighborhood started, most were built from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. “Elgin, generally, is more affordable than surrounding communities,” Bednar says. “You’ll pay more for a historic home in places like St. Charles or Geneva. You get more house for your money here.” Some of the bigger homes are $450,000 or more, but most are between $250,000 and $350,000. Victorian, Italianate and American Foursquare are just some of the classic designs. To encourage the upkeep of these homes, the Gifford Park Association has set up a matching grant of up to $2,000 to promote any improvements. It can also be combined with grant money from the City of Elgin.
Historic houses of worship in the neighborhood include St. Mary Catholic Church, which opened in 1899, and the First Universalist Church, built in 1892 and retaining its classic architecture. However, the church is now called Iglesia Principe de Paz, which means Prince of Peace Church. The aerial view of the building is made to look like a pocket watch, a nod to Elgin’s past as home to the Elgin National Watch Company up until 1968. Churches of various denominations are on the neighborhood's west side near Villa Street.
The neighborhood's CAP crime score is 6, above the national average of 4. Some property crimes score higher.
Gifford Park is home to some of the most unique homes in Elgin.
Some of Gifford Park's homes predate the city itself.
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Gifford Park Historic Homes tour
September 2024 was the latest historic house tour in the neighborhood, which started shortly after the Gifford Park Association was formed. “It’s done as a fundraiser for our organization, but it’s also so people in the area can appreciate the architecture here,” Bednar says. “We also have tours inside a lot of the houses. It’s our most popular event.” There are other services the association provides. “We also answer questions about how to approach remodeling a historic house,” he adds. Other events put on by the group include a fall festival held a few weeks before Halloween with a costume contest.
Orchestral concerts at Gifford Park
Gifford Park is also the city’s oldest facility, dating to the 1850s. It has a playground and a gazebo shelter for events, such as summer concerts by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. The park is also the site for the Summer Picnic in the Park event organized by the Gifford Park Association. Davidson Memorial Park contains a memorial and statue commemorating all Elgin citizens who served in World War I. Although the log cabin is no longer there, the park is the site of the home of Elgin city founder James Gifford. A short walk west, along the Fox River, is the Fox River Trail, which follows the water through the downtown Elgin area and north toward Wisconsin and south about 30 miles to the southwest Chicago suburbs. The Grand Victoria Casino is a short distance west, with dining entertainment and table games close to the Fox River.
James T Gifford Park gazebo is home to a summer concert series.
Enjoy a brisk morning walk at Davidson Memorial Park site of the home of Elgin city founder James Gifford.
The Fox River Trail runs through Downtown Elgin.
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The nearest restaurants are in downtown Elgin
Heading west on Chicago Street into downtown Elgin is where most of the dining-out options are. Elgin Public House is a pub and restaurant serving various burgers and sandwiches. On Friday nights, the restaurant becomes a karaoke bar. Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sugar & Rhyme has a bright interior serving coffee and pastries with gluten-free options. A few miles northeast is an Aldi location for grocery runs, while La Roca Mart specializes in Mexican food products. The East Side Neighborhood Garden has been in the neighborhood since 2019 and is there to educate residents about the benefits of growing their own food.
Sugar and Rhyme is a popular coffee shop near Gifford Park.
Gifford Park residents can head downtown for additional dining options.
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District U-46 Schools
Multiple elementary schools are available for public school students, including Channing Memorial and Ronald D O’Neal Elementary Schools, rated a C-minus on Niche. Both teach students through sixth grade. For seventh and eighth grade, Ellis Middle School gets a C-plus, while Larsen Middle receives a C. Elgin High School is rated a B-minus and is one of Illinois' oldest public high schools. Although it has changed locations three times, its first graduation ceremony was held in 1872. Moving On Central School is for middle and high school students who require more structure than what a typical classroom provides.
Students are the top priority at Channing Memorial Elementary School.
Ellis Middle school is the primary choice for Gifford Park teens.
Elgin High school accepts students from all over the surrounding area.
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Downtown Metra station
The downtown Elgin Metra station is about a mile away from the neighborhood. It’s one of the far western stops on the Milwaukee District West line, so a trip into downtown Chicago will take over an hour. The Pace bus system has opportunities to ride with stops on Villa and Chicago Streets. It’s a 3-mile trip north to reach Interstate 90 for the 40-mile trip downtown by car. The largest hospital is about 3 miles west at Ascension Saint Joseph-Elgin.
Gifford Park residents can head to the downtown area and enjoy the large community center.
Travel around Downtown Elgin is easy thanks to the Pace bus system.
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
Kimberly Zahand,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
James T Gifford Park
Davidson Memorial Park
Transit
Airport
Chicago O'Hare International
35 min drive
Bus
Villa St & Dupage St
Bus
Chicago St & Channing St
Bus
Villa St & Gifford St & Gifford Pl
Bus
Chicago St & Porter St
Bus
Chicago St & Chapel St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Gifford Park
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
8
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Gifford Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Gifford Park, Elgin sell after 9 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Gifford Park, Elgin over the last 12 months is $359,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautifull Two-unit property full of charm and character. Main floor unit has 2 bedrooms 1.1 bathrooms (both bedrooms have private bathrooms) Full basement with both interior and exterior access. The upper unit has 2 bedroom/1 bathroom, a walk-in pantry and plenty of storage. 2-car garage with a covered patio. Ideal 2-family or ideal for the City of Elgin's "Residential Conversion Program" to
Stunning Queen Anne Victorian with Award-Winning Charm and Modern Upgrades: Half block from Channing Park, tennis courts, playground and walking path. Step into timeless elegance with this gorgeous 5-bedroom Queen Anne Victorian, beautifully blending historic charm with modern convenience. Grand Prize Winner of the 2014 Chicagoland Painted Lady Competition and proudly featured on the 2016 Elgin
This is a very prominent landmark house in Elgin, rich in detail, inside and out. It has been a favorite on the Elgin Historic House Tour three times over the years. As a gorgeous, spacious, Queen Anne Victorian home, this proud painted lady was the winner of the Chicagoland Painted Ladies award in 2018. The exterior has elaborate detail in the siding, with a handsome stone base, and sits tall on
Property Id: 1181065Updated studio one bath on the top floor. Newly refinished hardwood floors. Laundry in building. Tenant pays gas and electric. Please text for questions and scheduling availability
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kimberly Zahand,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,265
Median Age
34
Population under 18
27.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$50,328
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$72,857
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
74%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
21.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.8%
% Population in Labor Force
70.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
20''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
56/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
75/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
40/ 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.
