Gifford Park
Neighborhood in Elgin, Illinois
Kane County 60120
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Written By
Jeff Stapleton
Photography Contributed By
Patrick Kelley
Video By
Jonathan Bradley
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Kimberly Zahand
Kimberly Zahand
Keller Williams North Shore West
(708) 859-7009
392 Total Sales
1 in Gifford Park
$350,000 Price
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Veronica Rosales
Veronica Rosales
Keller Williams Infinity
(630) 934-2056
44 Total Sales
1 in Gifford Park
$202,000 Price
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Lydia Coix
Lydia Coix
Responds QuicklyHomeSmart Realty Group
(331) 236-0462
46 Total Sales
1 in Gifford Park
$160,000 Price
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Matt Lysien
Matt Lysien
Suburban Life Realty, Ltd
(224) 315-8087
525 Total Sales
2 in Gifford Park
$96K - $400K Price Range
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Jose Resto
Jose Resto
ILLINOIS ON THE MOVE, LLC
(224) 268-9289
76 Total Sales
1 in Gifford Park
$230,000 Price
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Amy Foote
Amy Foote
Responds QuicklyCompass
(224) 387-2656
404 Total Sales
2 in Gifford Park
$255K - $310K 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
- 6th to 12th
- Public
- K to 6th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
James T Gifford Park
Davidson Memorial Park
Transit
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 14 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Gifford Park, Elgin over the last 12 months is $307,000, up 22% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$302,400
Median Sale Price
$307,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$307,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$85,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
19
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
22%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$151
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
255
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Median Year Built
1915
Months of Supply
3.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,956
On par with the national average
1,933
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
702
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Downtown Elgin
Live at the heart of Elgin culture, from restaurants and concerts to Fox River fun
Lords Park
One of Elgin's most historic and robust parks makes up half the neighborhood
Near West Elgin
Vintage homes near Fox River's western banks
Corley Drive Park
Quiet, easygoing residential digs in the City in the Suburbs
Grant Park
This Elgin west side neighborhood is close to many recreation options
Northeast Elgin
Historic charm meets contemporary convenience
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