North Country Knolls
Foliage is a fixture in North Country Knolls
In the fall, the sidewalks of North Country Knolls are covered with orange and yellow leaves. The trees above are a fixture in the community, especially for those neighboring the Hawthorne Hill Nature Center. Cul-de-sacs feature ranch-style homes, bilevels and Colonial Revivals with modest, square lawns. Attached garages come standard, along with paved driveways and, in some instances, in-ground pools. Among the tall trees, homebuyers can expect some minor flooding from the Fox River’s distributaries. Altogether, prices range from $270,000 to $490,000, about average in Elgin.
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School District U-46 partners with Elgin Community College
Students in North Country Knolls are zoned for Elgin’s School District U-46, beginning at Hillcrest Elementary School on Airlite Street. Located next door to the Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, the school is walkable for many families, enrolling kindergarten through sixth grade. Niche gives the school a C. Kimball Middle School earns the same grade, a seventh through eighth-grade institution just north on McLean Boulevard. With a C-plus, Larkin High School is home to the district’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy. Students can apply in eighth grade for four-year, performance-based programs in dance, drama, music or the visual arts. Additionally, select juniors and seniors are eligible for the district’s Dual Credit program at Elgin Community College, located 3 miles south of the neighborhood. According to local news sources, enrollment has steadily increase since 2019.
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Elgin’s houses of worship & spiritual education
St. Thomas More Catholic Church and its associated school are located at the intersection of Thomas More Drive and Highland Avenue. Enrolling kindergarten through eighth grade, St. Thomas More Elementary School is a private, spiritual option catering to North Country Knolls and its surrounding neighborhoods. Upon eighth-grade graduation, many students continue to St. Edward Central Catholic High School, located 2 miles east on Locust Street. First Baptist Church Elgin neighbors the parish on Highland Avenue, though homebuyers will find a handful of spiritual institutions throughout the area, including the Islamic Community Center on Heine Avenue.
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Ascension St. Joseph Hospital is within walking distance
Pace Suburban bus stops are accessible throughout North Country Knolls—Primarily along Lyle and Larkin Avenues. However, most residents of northwest Elgin are car dependent. As one of the city’s largest employers, Ascension St. Joseph Hospital attracts commuters from across the area. Many homes surrounding the medical center are within walking distance, though its central location offers a short commute for those opting to drive. Downtown Elgin sits 3 miles west, home to the Elgin Metra station. Riders can expect an hour-long trip to Chicago’s Union Station, while drivers can head 44 miles east on Interstate 90. Chicago O’Hare International Airport is 30 miles into the commute.
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Old Republic Kitchen + Bar is a hub for live music and outdoor dining
Larkin Avenue borders North Country Knolls to the south, offering several amenities, including Jewel-Osco and Walgreens. But most head to Randall Road for day-to-day shopping and dining. The thoroughfare stretches just west of the neighborhood, where Otter Creek Shopping Center houses a Target, Burlington and Hobby Lobby. Down the road, Old Republic Kitchen + Bar is a go-to in Elgin. Two levels of patio dining accompany a prominent outdoor stage and bar clad with neon lights. When local musicians aren’t performing, patrons can catch the Bears game inside while dining on classic American bites, from steak to fresh-caught walleye. An array of big-box stores line the strip farther south. Meijer, Menards, Sam’s Club and Walmart Supercenter anchor loads of regional chain restaurants, from Portillo’s to Lou Malnati’s.
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Investing in Elgin’s parks and recreation scene
As of 2024, Elgin is actively improving and expanding its parks and recreation hubs. Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, for example, is a 67-acre natural area with woodchipped trails, a fishing pier on its pond and a handful of gardens. The nature center itself provides indoor programming and play areas for Elgin families. The city has, in turn, approved a generous budget to enhance and preserve the park’s ecosystem for future generations of visitors. Over at the Elgin Sports Complex, soccer, softball and t-ball teams compete across 400 acres of ball fields. Additional public amenities include a BMX track and sand volleyball courts, which will accompany additional athletic fields and walking trails set for completion in 2025. Golfers gather at The Highlands of Elgin Golf Course next door. The 18-hole public course offers lessons and simulators. After a round, patrons can browse a menu of house-made American eats at its on-site tavern.
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From Juneteenth to Nightmare on Chicago Street at Festival Park
Each summer, Festival Park in Downtown Elgin hosts a series of cultural celebrations that draw residents from across the city. Food, history and the arts come together at the annual Juneteenth Cultural Festival, hosted by the African-American Coalition of Kane County. Later in September, La Fiesta de Elgin honors Mexican Independence Day with live mariachi music, food vendors, local artisans and programming at The Hemmens Cultural Center. In the fall, residents flock to Chicago Street to celebrate Halloween. According to local news, Nightmare on Chicago Street attracts thousands of guests each year. The immersive atmosphere pairs with spooky performances and apocalyptic-themed refreshments. Of course, visitors are encouraged to wear costumes. When the holidays roll around, Elgin’s Holiday Cheers event invites downtown businesses to open up shop and mural their windows for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.
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Written By
Dana Chesser
Photography Contributed By
Patrick Kelley
Video By
Colleen Carey
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Susan Macino
Susan Macino
Responds Quickly@properties Christie's International Real Estate
(630) 576-9734
149 Total Sales
1 in North Country Knolls
$393,000 Price
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Julie Roback
Julie Roback
Baird & Warner
(224) 279-6533
293 Total Sales
2 in North Country Knolls
$339K - $365K Price Range
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David Hernandez
David Hernandez
Coldwell Banker Realty
(877) 506-1501
54 Total Sales
1 in North Country Knolls
$200,000 Price
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John Sommese
John Sommese
Skydan Real Estate Sales, LLC
(708) 847-7473
39 Total Sales
1 in North Country Knolls
$435,000 Price
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Caroline Starr
Caroline Starr
@properties Christie's International Real Estate
(224) 801-3051
504 Total Sales
1 in North Country Knolls
$415,000 Price
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Ken Bruderle
Ken Bruderle
Realty Executives Advance
(224) 347-7415
62 Total Sales
2 in North Country Knolls
$195K - $240K 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
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Parks in this Area
Hawthorne Hill Nature Center
- Trails
- Nature Center
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | North Country Knolls | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
North Country Knolls Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in North Country Knolls, Elgin sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in North Country Knolls, Elgin over the last 12 months is $1,500,000, up 270% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$700,000
Median Sale Price
$1,500,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,500,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$1,350,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
8
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
270%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$345
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
389
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1969
Months of Supply
3.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,588
Significantly above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,503
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
925
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,890
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 Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,083
Median Age
44
Population under 18
21.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$70,031
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$94,370
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
75.8%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
32.2%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.9%
% Population in Labor Force
65.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
20''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
46
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
45
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
27
/ 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.
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Corley Drive Park
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Bluff City
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Cranston Meadows Park
A quiet, secluded suburb nestled between Elgin and Saint Charles
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