$766,866Average Value$336Average Price per Sq Ft97Homes For Sale
The southernmost part of Chicago’s North Shore
Along the shores of Lake Michigan and home to one of the premier research universities in the country, the city of Evanston is just across Chicago’s northern border. “I wouldn’t even call Evanston a suburb. It’s the first city you come to when you travel north from Chicago,” says Julie Jensen, lead broker with the Julie Jensen Group at Baird & Warner Realty. She’s lived in Evanston for close to 30 years. “It’s also the southernmost part of Chicago’s North Shore.” The North Shore is a group of affluent Chicago suburbs along the lake. There are about 75,000 people who live in Evanston, many of whom are employed by Northwestern University, which has a picturesque campus on the lakefront.
Although Northwestern University is a big part of Evanston, Jensen doesn’t view it as a college town. “It’s not like Evanston is dead when the students are not here,” Jensen says. “It’s also a school that stresses academics.”
Students in Evanston sit out on the lawn overlooking Lake Michigan and the Chicago Skyline.
Evanston has plenty of green space and easy access to the lake for residents to enjoy.
Northwestern students play a game of Spike Ball on Lincoln Street Beach in Evanston.
An Evanston family hangs out at Robert Crown Community Center on a sunny day.
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Schools feed into an A-plus Evanston Township High School
As with many school districts in the Chicago suburbs, elementary and middle schools are in separate districts from the high school. The Evanston Community Consolidated School District 65 has ten elementary schools, three middle schools and two magnet schools. The district grade is a B-plus on Niche. Evanston Township High School District 202 has only one school - the A-plus-rated Evanston Township High School. The school serves all of Evanston and a small portion of the adjacent village of Skokie. The school is on 65 acres and is more than 1.2 million square feet. Private schools include St. Athanasius Elementary, which serves K-8 students, and Beacon Academy, a college prep high school. Both receive A-plus grades.
Lincolnwood Elementary School in Evanston serves students in grades K-5.
Haven Middle School in Evanston offers multiple outdoor amenities to its students.
Evanston Township High School is has many honor-level courses offered to students.
Evanston's Northwestern Division 1 athletics is a major draw for prospective students.
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More public beaches along Lake Michigan in Evanston
With Lake Michigan's proximity, several beaches are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. “Evanston has a good amount of lakefront on public property, as opposed to further north where there are more houses along the waterfront.” Beach access passes are free for Evanston residents with proof of address. A walkway south of the Northwestern campus passes four public beaches and four parks. There are close to 90 parks of various sizes in Evanston. Catamarans, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards can be rented at Northwestern Sailing Center for those who want to explore Lake Michigan on a boat. North of Northwestern’s campus, Grosse Point Lighthouse, built in 1873, is open on summer weekends for tours and close to Lighthouse Beach.
Music venues in the city include Evanston SPACE, an indoor facility. During the summer, outdoor concerts are held at The Evans at Canal Shores Golf Club during a series called Out of SPACE. Dawes Park was the site of the first Evanston Folk Festival on the lakefront in early September. Other events include the Fall Fest in Downtown Evanston in October around Fountain Square Park on Sherman Avenue between Davis and Grove Streets. The Downtown Evanston Farmers Market runs on Saturdays from early May through November, featuring nearly 60 vendors.
On Northwestern University's campus, there are opportunities to catch athletic events, like basketball or volleyball at Welsh-Ryan Arena or a football game on the lakefront at Martin Stadium, the temporary home of the Wildcats while Ryan Field is being renovated.
The Evanston lakefront is a favorite place for residents to workout and exercise.
The beaches in Evanston are a perfect place for students to study or hang out on a warm day.
There are many iconic sites in Evanston including the Grosse Point Lighthouse built in 1873.
There will be many smiling faces at the Downtown Evanston's Night Market.
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History is all around Evanston
There are historic houses all around Evanston. Because of that, the Evanston History Center periodically conducts a walking tour of homes. One of the homes, a Chateau-influenced mansion built in 1894, belonged to U.S. Vice President Charles Gates Dawes.“Because Evanston is so big, there’s a wide range of home prices. Modest condos can be had for a couple hundred thousand dollars, and the sky’s the limit when you’re closer to the lake. They’re in the multi-millions,” says Jake McClure, a broker and team leader at the Burling Square Group. Condos are priced from $120,000 to $600,000—houses under $1 million range from $300,000 to $800,000.
While there are more modern houses, it’s only because a newer house was built where an old house used to be. “There are no subdivisions in Evanston where there are homes that were all built 20 years ago,” Jensen says. “That makes working in Evanston cool because you have to go in every house to see what it’s like because there have been various improvements. People have real pride in ownership here.” As of Fall of 2024, the amount of inventory is low in Evanston, but when there are homes on the market, it’s usually a seller's market. “Homes will consistently sell over the asking price,” she adds.
There is a minimal flood risk for homes in Evanston as there are fewer homes directly on the lakefront than in suburbs north of Evanston.
The historic Charles Gates Dawes House in Evanston is home to the Evanston History Center.
There are a large number of affordable brick bungalow homes in the Evanston neighborhood.
You can find large historic estates throughout Evanston.
Large two story contemporary homes with classic elements can be found in Evanston.
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Evanston has nine business districts
Whether it’s the downtown area or the shops on Central Street, Evanston is known for its retail business districts. “There are many places to walk and get coffee,” Jensen says. “They’re mostly Mom-and-Pop stores. There are chains, but that does not define the retail landscape in Evanston.” In downtown Evanston, Edzo’s Burger Shop specializes in giant, char-grilled hamburgers and garlic fries. Hewn, located in the Central Street Business District, has a substantial selection of warm pastries and hot coffee. Locally owned shops include Vintage Vinyl, which has been open since 1979 and specializes in the same format that was popular when it opened: The vinyl 33 RPM record. The Howard Street Business district is in southern Evanston, across the border from Chicago. Popular Evanston grocery stores include Mariano’s, Jewel-Osco and Whole Foods Market.
Cupitol Coffee and Eatery in Downtown Evanston is a local favorite.
Evanston residents have a number of great local stores like Patisserie Coralie.
Evanston has several big grocery store options including Jewel Osco.
Central Street is a bustling area with plenty to do.
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Climate and transportation in Evanston
Multiple train stations in the city have Metra commuter rail, or the Purple Line CTA elevated train for commuting to downtown Chicago. Public bus transportation is served by Pace bus lines, which travel throughout the Chicago suburbs and CTA buses, which travel into Chicago. Access to Interstate 94 is 4 miles to the west, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about a half-hour drive.
Evanston's average summer high temperature is about 83 degrees, and the average winter low temperature is 17. The area gets about 17 inches of snow yearly, and the total precipitation is around 40 inches.
Written By
Jeff Stapleton
Photography Contributed By
Joe Kirsch
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Evanston, IL sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Evanston, IL over the last 12 months is $450,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
A spacious two-bedroom, one-and-one-half-bathroom condo in a well-maintained elevator building in Evanston. This inviting home features a comfortable layout with generous room sizes, large windows that bring in abundant natural light, and plenty of opportunity to make the space your own. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances and a convenient breakfast nook. Located on a tree-lined
Classic Evanston Georgian with beautiful hardwood floors, newer windows, updated kitchen with quartz countertops and white Shaker cabinets (2022), newer main roof (2020), and newer addition roof (2022), newer hvac and all new electric panel. Three spacious bedrooms upstairs with updated bath, plus a partially finished basement offering flexible additional living space. A first floor den off the
Experience the best of downtown Evanston living in this beautifully updated, sun-filled 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo just steps from Northwestern University, Lake Michigan, the CTA, Metra, restaurants, shopping, and everything downtown has to offer. This spacious home features rich hardwood floors, an open-concept living and dining area, floor-to-ceiling windows, a cozy fireplace, and a large private
Rare investment opportunity in Evanston's highly sought-after rental market, offering an estimated 7.00 cap rate and a 7.41 cash-on-cash return. This well-maintained two-unit property provides stable in-place income with significant upside potential through future rent increases and flexible rental strategies in one of Evanston's strongest rental markets. The property features two spacious units
A spacious two-bedroom, one-and-one-half-bathroom condo in a well-maintained elevator building in Evanston. This inviting home features a comfortable layout with generous room sizes, large windows that bring in abundant natural light, and plenty of opportunity to make the space your own. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances and a convenient breakfast nook. Located on a tree-lined
Classic Evanston Georgian with beautiful hardwood floors, newer windows, updated kitchen with quartz countertops and white Shaker cabinets (2022), newer main roof (2020), and newer addition roof (2022), newer hvac and all new electric panel. Three spacious bedrooms upstairs with updated bath, plus a partially finished basement offering flexible additional living space. A first floor den off the
Experience the best of downtown Evanston living in this beautifully updated, sun-filled 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo just steps from Northwestern University, Lake Michigan, the CTA, Metra, restaurants, shopping, and everything downtown has to offer. This spacious home features rich hardwood floors, an open-concept living and dining area, floor-to-ceiling windows, a cozy fireplace, and a large private
Luxuriously renovated 2 bedroom, 2 bath corner unit in downtown Evanston. This sunny condo is elegant and airy, with southern and western exposures providing natural light, high ceilings, and new Coretec engineered hardwood flooring in the living spaces. The updated kitchen features new refinished raised cabinets, quartz countertops, Samsung, GE and Bosch appliances. The living room features a
Welcome to West Rogers Park and discover this exceptional, fully renovated home featuring a brand-new addition that expands the property to an impressive 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms. Thoughtfully redesigned from top to bottom, this home offers the perfect blend of modern luxury, quality craftsmanship, and functional living space. The bright, open-concept floor plan is ideal for today's
Welcome to 2009 Keeney Street, a beautifully maintained 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home for sale in Evanston, IL, on one of the city's charming tree-lined streets. Freshly painted in 2026 and move-in ready, this Evanston single-family home features gleaming hardwood floors, sun-filled living spaces, and a flexible layout designed for today's lifestyle. The gracious living room showcases a large bay
Highly upgraded top floor 2bd/2ba condo in National Register of Historic Places building. Located on a serene, tree-lined street in Southeast Evanston. Flooded with natural light and beautiful views, this condo has an open layout and thoughtful floorplan. A sun filled living room, including 9 ft ceilings, cove moldings floor to ceiling French door windows and a fully restored working wood-burning
Enjoy effortless living in this bright, FRESHLY PAINTED, extra-large 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo. The thoughtfully designed floor plan is a split bedroom configuration with the main living area divided into three spaces - living room, kitchen and designated dining area or den. Floor to ceiling windows on this west facing, high-level floor allows for great views and sunlight. Everything about this
Anne Marie Murdoch@properties Christie's International Real Estate
You won't find a more upgraded one-bedroom unit at this price point in all of Evanston or the North Shore! The entire unit has been reimagined in 2025 with a thoughtful design that takes full advantage of the space. A formal foyer greets you as you enter with the family room directly to your left. Morning sunlight pours through the space. Beautiful picture frame molding and wall sconces light the
Spacious 1 Bed 1 Bath Condo in the Historic area of Evanston. Vintage charm in this unit! Hardwood floors throughout. Separate Dining Room. Brick Building, and well run association. Close to Transportation, Lake, Parks, Restaurants & Shopping. CTA Train is not to far away. Heat is provided by the building boiler. Pets are allowed. Rentals also allowed. Storage space included. Unit is being sold
CHARMING COTTAGE IN WEST VILLAGE with mature trees, landscaping and a herringbone brick walkway leading up to the front door. This 2044 sq ft house was built in 1898 and has the modern updates while retaining the vintage charm. There are 3 upstairs bedrooms and 1 downstairs guest room/office along with 2 full baths. The primary bedroom has a large sitting/dressing room with a wall of closets.
In-unit laundry is one of the many perks of this too-good-to-be-true lovely 3-bedroom, 2-bath rental that checks all the location and amenity boxes -- and then some: Walking distance to the lake, multiple grocery stores, downtown Evanston, restaurants, Northwestern University, Nichols Middle School, public transportation and more! A short flight up, this second-floor apartment, with IN-UNIT
Welcome to The Reserve, where luxury meets convenience in the heart of Evanston. Choose from spacious studio, 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom apartment homes designed for comfort and style. Take a virtual tour and explore thoughtfully crafted interiors, resort-style amenities, and our vibrant, walkable neighborhood.Located just one mile from Northwestern University and with quick access to I-94 and the
Abundant sunshine and space in this special north Evanston 2 bed + den! Owner has updated the property but kept the unique vintage charm of this top floor condo. The stainless steel kitchen has excellent corian counterspace, cabinet storage and opens right into an ample eat in/dining room. A beautiful and bright living room looks out onto a serene grassy yard. Bedrooms are both excellent sizes
The Main is located at 847 Chicago Ave. Evanston, IL and is managed by Atlantic Residential, a reputable property management company with verified listings on RENTCafe. The Main offers Studio to 3 bedroom apartments ranging in size from 500 to 1424 sq.ft. Amenities include Availability 24 Hours, Bike Racks, Business Center, Carpeting, Controlled Access/Gated and more. This rental community is pet
Welcome to your stunning, sun-drenched 3-bedroom, 1 bathroom flat that effortlessly blends modern style with cozy charm! This beautifully updated home features gleaming hardwood floors throughout, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere from room to room. The spacious living area is bathed in natural light, making it the perfect space to relax or entertain. The heart of the home is the kitchen,
Evanston Vintage Properties (EVP) owns and manages a network of historic brick and brownstone properties near Northwestern University, Lake Michigan, and downtown Evanston. We value our residents and are committed to taking excellent care of the buildings. The classic architectural details of our apartments, with solid, built-to-last construction, are both beautiful and sustainable.Our
Whatever you do, make it yours. The Park Evanston has stylish, open amenity areas—including a huge fitness center, pet spa, and an impressive rooftop pool deck with built in grills—that fit your active, modern lifestyle. Plus, the newly renovated apartments are designed with your style in mind. With an unbeatable location that places everything within steps, The Park Evanston is downtown Evanston
WELCOME TO 550 SHERIDAN SQUAREWhen you call 550 Sheridan Square Apartments home, you'll find yourself in Evanston's premier lakefront apartment community, directly adjacent to Lake Michigan with beach access right outside your door. Our newly remodeled apartment community is the perfect place to call home for those looking to live in the best location Evanston has to offer. Not only are you
Talk about convenient! The Scholar takes off-campus and Evanston living to a whole new level with private terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows, luxurious finishes, and views of Lake Michigan. Located in downtown Evanston, The Scholar is a short walk from shopping, dining, the lakefront, and much more. With an abundant selection of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments in a contemporary
Looking for a new apartment in Evanston? Discover Tapestry Station, where you'll find yourself in a fresh, new, modern community woven into the vibrant Main-Dempster Mile shopping district. Our community offers thoughtfully designed studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments, each maximizing your space and comfort. Need to get to class or downtown Chicago? The CTA/Metra and the Northwestern Shuttle
The 415 Premier studio, one and two bedroom apartments for rent in Evanston, IL, offer stylish interiors and an amenity package full of attractive social spaces. Located only twelve minutes from downtown Chicago and only two miles from the Northwestern Campus in Evanston, these well-designed layouts are equipped with features that will elevate your lifestyle.
One year leases now available for September 2026!-Fully Furnished-Free Utilities-Free High-Speed WiFi-Full Kitchens; Fridge, Cooktop, Dishwasher-In-Unit Washer/Dryer-Dishwasher-On-Site Restaurant & Bar-Cable TV-Exercise Room-Microwave-Cooktop-Pots, Pans, Utensils & Dishes Included-Weekly Housekeeping-Study Areas$2,500/month for 1
After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, city dwellers built elegant waterfront homes in Evanston. Today, residents of Downtown Evanston enjoy distant views of Chicago's glittering skyline by night and sweeping Lake Michigan vistas by day. The area keeps some nostalgic charms with vintage architecture. "It's a unique area where you get the serenity of Lake Michigan's shores along with the busy atmosphere of downtown," says Michael Marin, a managing broker and top producer with Signature Homes Realty. An integral part of Evanston is Northwestern University, just north of downtown. It's the No. 1 college in Illinois, according to Niche. The 240-acre campus links to the much smaller Chicago campus, about 12 miles away, via a free shuttle. The university has approximately 23,000 students and 2,500 faculty members and is Evanston's largest employer. Downtown Evanston offers eateries, small businesses, big-box stores, hotels and more. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market are right near home. Cupitol Coffee & Eatery serves fresh-baked goods, cold-press juices and all-day brunch. For lunch on the go, pick something up at Picnic, where the menu's full of healthy fare. Giordano's, which started in 1974 in the South Side of Chicago, now has 45 locations in Illinois. Their stuffed deep-dish pizza has received accolades from the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, Eater and more. Young actors get on stage at Mudlark Theater Company, a non-profit offering camps and classes for youth. For a movie night out, AMC Evanston 12 supplies the flicks. There's a mix of historical and contemporary styles within this waterfront cityscape. "We have a good spread of different architecture, from hundred-year-old lakefront mansions to modern attached condominiums," Marin says. Townhouses, condominiums and apartment blocks line major thoroughfares, sharing curb appeal with modern mid- and high-rises. Apartments make up close to 50% of the property mix. Vintage and historical single-family homes include Tudor Revival and Art Deco styles, plus features like wainscoting, original hardwood flooring, fireplaces and spacious windows. The average listing price in the area is just under $500,000. Twenty percent of homes fall under $200,000 and about 5% are over $1.3 million. Within walking distance of most downtown homes, Lake Michigan's shoreline is the star. The Northwestern Sailing Center rents out catamarans, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards and windsurfing and sailing lessons are also popular. Public beaches are open during warmer months, with free season passes for those living in specific ZIP codes. A lovely spot for waterside picnics, Clark Street Beach offers volleyball courts. Dog Beach is a favorite for water frolics or off-leash socializing in a fenced area. Centennial Park is the place for a lakeside walk to the peninsula on Northwestern's campus. Amid the manicured green spaces of Raymond Park, there's a playground with an abstract climbing sculpture. Gyrokinesis yoga classes are often held at the park. There are plenty of things to do downtown. Fountain Square's annual Fall Festival offers live music, kids' art activities, ice cream and coffee trucks, food vendors and a maker's market. The Holiday Bazaar hosted by the Woman's Club of Evanston showcases 50 curated vendors of handmade goods. The Young Evanston Artists festival, or YEA!, is held on the third Saturday of May at Raymond Park. The Chicago Transit Authority Purple Line L trains run all day between the Chicago Loop and seven stops in Downtown Evanston. The CTA also runs bus routes. Evanston Davis Street Metra station has service on the Union Pacific North line. Traveling south, Chicago's Ogilvie Transportation Center is the fifth stop from Evanston. Going north, it's about 50 miles to Kenosha, Wisconsin, the only Metra stop outside Illinois. There's a Divvy bike share station, plus spots for bike racks, dedicated lanes and tune-up stations. O'Hare International Airport is about 15 miles away. Children residing in Downtown Evanston may attend public schools like Dewey Elementary, graded A-minus by Niche and Nichols Middle, graded B-plus. Evanston Township High, graded A-plus, is No. 23 in the state, according to Niche. With more than 1.2 million square feet of indoor space, ETHS is the largest single-building high school in the country. Some highlights of the 65-acre campus include a planetarium, greenhouse, swimming pools and tennis courts. There are many private schools in the Evanston area. One of these, Beacon Academy, graded A-plus, is located downtown. It combines an International Baccalaureate curriculum with Montessori principles for ninth through 12th grade.
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