Close to enduring restaurants, community parks and downtown Elgin
Life in the quiet suburb of Southeast Elgin comprises local eateries, community parks and convenient commutes, thanks to its location along one of Elgin’s main thoroughfares. Residents can spend time in the neighborhood stopping in for a meal at Ray’s Diner or catching youth football games at Drake Field Park. Its early-to-mid 20th-century homes are not far from Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve directly southeast and the events of downtown Elgin 2 miles north. With U.S. Route 20 cutting through its southern side, residents also benefit from hassle-free drives to the retailers along Randall Road and downtown Chicago.
Southeast Elgin residents benefit from hassle-free drives to retailers along Randall Road.
Southeast Elgin residents have access to many locally owned shops.
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Morning trips to Ray's Diner
Ray’s Diner, a family-owned restaurant on St. Charles Street, has served the community with breakfast seven days a week since 1969. Olde Towne Inn, the city’s oldest bar, pairs weekend karaoke with traditional bar grub. Several Latin American spots also line Villa Street, including Delicia Tropical Café, a laid-back Puerto Rican eatery. Residents pick up groceries from Butera Market at Clock Tower Plaza, a mile west, while Downtown Elgin offers a wide selection of local businesses. “You’ll find the area’s mom-and-pop spots and diverse restaurant options downtown, but in terms of corporate America shopping, you’ll find that along Randall Road,” says Ryan Cortez, Director of Sales and Marketing at Elgin Area Convention & Visitors Bureau - Explore Elgin Area. The stretch is 5 miles southwest and includes big-name retailers like Target, T.J. Maxx and many others.
Southeast Elgin enjoy a hearty breakfast over at Ray’s Diner.
For household goods residents of Southeast Elgin head over to Target.
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Drake Field Park football games
At Unity Park on the community’s southern side, little ones can climb about a woodland-themed playground or practice shots on its circular three-hoop basketball court. Meanwhile, Drake Field Park along Hastings Street fills with Elgin Bears Football and Cheer supporters during the youth league’s fall season games. Bluff Spring Fen, one of several nearby nature preserves, sits a half-mile southeast. Teeming with local wildlife, visitors walking its narrow trails can spot painted turtles, great horned owls, red-tailed hawks and 450 documented species of plants.
Southeast Elgin families enjoy playtime at Unity Park.
Drake Field Park features a multi-sports field in the neighborhood of Southeast Elgin.
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Southeast Elgin's Cape Cod and ranch styles
Southeast Elgin stretches from Villa Street, which borders its northern side, to Hammond Avenue along its southern edge. Ranch and Cape Cod-style homes built during the early to mid-1900s make up the bulk of the community, alongside occasional workers’ cottages and American Foursquare styles with similar build dates. Narrow sidewalks parallel wide streets flanked by parked cars and old-growth trees. Homes situated north of U.S. Route 20 include front walkways connecting homes to the street and back alleyways with detached garages. South of the road, another tract of homes with driveway parking and small yards are nestled between a small industrial sector and the Lao Buddhist Temple of Elgin’s wooded environs. Selling prices typically range from $150,000 to $355,000, depending on size and condition.
Quaint two bedroom homes give plenty of yard space to Southeast Elgin residents.
Older bungalows and ranch style houses are priced between $200K and $300K in Southeast Elgin.
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Nightmare on Chicago Street downtown
The much-anticipated Nightmare on Chicago Street is one of several events held in downtown Elgin. “It’s probably our most famous and has grown into a nationally recognized event,” Cortez says. Attendees of the post-apocalyptic celebration show up in their best costumes for a night of live performances ranging from fire dancers to rock bands, alongside food and drinks from local businesses. From June through early October, Downtown Elgin Market hosts an array of local vendors, food trucks and live music every Friday evening.
Commuting along U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20 links commuters to Chicago 40 miles southeast with the help of Interstate 290. Nearby National Street Station, on the Fox River’s western side, offers 90-minute rides into the city along Metra’s yellow line. Interstate 90 connects to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, about 25 miles away in the same direction. Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital and Elgin Community College are closer to home, both 4 miles west of the neighborhood. Residents can also use Pace Suburban Bus stops along Liberty Street and Bluff City Boulevard to get around locally.
Elgin Area School District U46's AVID opportunities
Several Elgin Area School District U46 elementary, middle and high schools serve the community. Most students live within the enrollment boundaries of Huff Elementary School and Ellis Middle School, both of which maintain a C rating on Niche. Similarly, most older students head to Elgin High School, which holds a B-minus rating on Niche. The school district offers AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, for seventh through 12th grade students. The elective program allows students to visit colleges and local businesses and hone leadership skills in preparation for post-graduation opportunities. For private education, St. Mary School, a mile northwest, enrolls prekindergarten through eighth-grade students.
Ellis Middle school is the primary choice for Southeast Elgin students.
Huff Elementary School has an overall Niche grade of C.
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U.S. Route 20 construction
As a part of the city’s improvement plan for U.S. Route 20, the bridge that runs over St. Charles, Liberty and Raymond Street is currently under repair. Already susceptible to rush hour traffic coming from industrial facilities to the southeast, delays have increased due to lane closures. Work is expected to continue in the spring of 2025, with the addition of new lighting and noise barriers for the surrounding community.
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
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Parks in this Area
Drake Field Park
Unity Park
Transit
Airport
Chicago O'Hare International
36 min drive
Bus
Sherman Ave & Villa St (At George St)
Bus
Bent St & Illinois Ave
Bus
Bluff City Blvd & Raymond St
Bus
Bluff City Blvd & Elizabeth St
Bus
Liberty St & Jay St
Bus
Liberty St & May St
Bus
Liberty St & Bluff City Blvd
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Southeast Elgin
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Southeast Elgin Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Southeast Elgin, Elgin sell after 9 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Southeast Elgin, Elgin over the last 12 months is $260,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$259,900
Median Sale Price
$260,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$260,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
15
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$216
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
577
Median Year Built
1950
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,526
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,320
Median Age
34
Population under 18
28.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$75,870
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$87,629
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
59%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
13.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
20''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
57/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
56/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
31/ 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.
