$796,536Average Value$352Average Price per Sq Ft9Homes For Sale
Close to Northwestern University athletic facilities
North of Evanston along a busy thoroughfare that courses past Northwestern University sports venues and numerous restaurants and businesses, the Central Street neighborhood stretches from a large city park to the Central ‘L’ train station on the CTA’s Purple Line. Even with a large amount of economic activity and extended renovation work at Northwestern’s football stadium, Central Street doesn’t lose the neighborly spirit that’s captured in the colorful murals painted on garage doors along a few of the community’s alleyways.
Get everything Northwestern at Gameday Spirit Fanstore in Central Street.
A mural by a local artist in the business district of Central Street .
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Green Bay Road links to shops and restaurants
Following tracks that lead to Chicago and Downtown Evanston, Green Bay Road is a major north-south thoroughfare intersecting with Central Avenue in the heart of the community's small business district. Because sometimes dessert should be eaten first, Leonidas Chocolate Café has over 90 varieties of imported Belgian chocolates. Waffles, omelets and quiche are also available for a complete meal. DeSalvo’s Pizza is a family-owned pizza shop specializing in thin-crust pies with gluten-free and vegan options. Backlot Coffee is an independent coffee house with locally roasted coffees and gelato. It’s also a community hangout where patrons work on their laptops or gather with friends. The Spice House has been around since 1957, selling various spices, rubs and blends for the casual or professional chef. Gameday Spirit has plenty of purple and white Northwestern apparel to show team spirit. Grocery store options include Whole Foods Market and Foodstuffs Gourmet Food.
Get your chocolate fix at Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie in Central Street.
DeSalvo's Pizza is a favorite for Central Street residents.
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Catch-and-release fishing at Lovelace Park's pond
In the northwest part of the neighborhood is Lovelace Park, with athletic fields of all kinds, a catch-and-release pond and a sledding hill for winter fun. A grassroots group called Friends of Lovelace Park works with the city to keep the park looking good. Locals know Ackerman Park as the 4th of July Park due to its proximity to the Independence Day parade on Central Street. It’s close to the shops and restaurants on Central, has a playground, a couple of tennis courts and, during the winter, an outdoor skating rink. Youth soccer games are often held in Bent Park.
A resident walks their dog alongside Bent Park.
Kids love the playground at Ackerman Park.
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Solidly built homes in the Central Street neighborhood
While this neighborhood is close to Northwestern University’s campus, more faculty than students live here. “Students tend to live near the downtown area to the south, closer to the academic buildings,” says Alan May, a Realtor with Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty. The oldest homes in the neighborhood are from the late 1800s, but a lot were built around the 1920s. “There’s a lot of brick construction, and the homes are solidly built,” May says. “Some look at the homes from out of the area and are concerned about the homes that are 100 years old. I tell them they’re made of brick and have been well maintained.”
Single-family homes range from $500,000 to $1 million for Colonial Revivals, American Foursquares and Craftsman bungalows. The homes are far from limited to those architectural styles, though, as many were custom made or modified with additions and other upgrades over the decades. “You’re going to have trouble finding under half a million,” May says. “If it is, it probably needs some work, or it won’t have an updated kitchen or bathroom.” Larger homes include farmhouses and Prairie style from $1 million to $2 million. Condos built around Central Street are mainly between $200,000 and $400,000, while townhouses are fewer, priced from $250,000 to $650,000.
Larger homes in Central Street range from $1 million to $2 million.
A Central Street neighborhood is well shaded from mature trees.
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Willard Elementary School is in the neighborhood
High Niche grades and low student-to-teacher ratios highlight the K-12 pathway for students living in the Central Street neighborhood. Willard Elementary School gets an A-minus from Niche. Students can get individualized attention with an 11-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Similar small class sizes are at Haven Middle School, with a B-plus grade. Evanston Township High School is rated an A-plus and is ranked the 23rd-best public high school in Illinois out of more than 700. The school also has an average graduation rate of 93%. St. Athanasius is a private school option for K-8 students with an A-plus grade. Northwestern University is one of the leading research universities in the country, with much of the campus offering picturesque views of Lake Michigan.
Willard Elementary School serves students in grades K-5.
Haven Middle School has an overall Niche grade of B plus.
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Metra and ‘L’ train stop at Central Street station
The Central Street Metra station is close to the busy intersection of Green Bay Road and Central Street, which provides service for customers who want to take the commuter train into downtown Chicago for a half-hour trip to the Ogilvie Transportation Center. The purple line CTA elevated train also stops at the station. Bus riders can choose from CTA buses, which have routes on Central Street or the Pace suburban bus system with stops on Green Bay Road. It’s about 4 miles to Interstate 94, and the tip to Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about half an hour.
Buses run regularly throughout Cental Street.
The Central Street Metra takes commuters Downtown Chicago in under an hour.
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Garage murals at the north part of Central Street
In the north part of the neighborhood, alleyways off Thayer Street have murals on garage doors, thanks to an artist who lives nearby. Teresa Parod started doing her art with permission from homeowners during the COVID-19 lockdown, and she got the idea after visiting Cuba. The alleys are between Thayer and Isabella Streets and between Thayer Street and Park Place. The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian concentrates on the cultures and traditions of Indigenous people from North America and Tribal Nations across the Great Lakes region. Close to Lake Michigan is the Grosse Point Lighthouse, constructed in 1877, a national historic landmark. It’s open for tours during summer weekends. Nearby is Lighthouse Beach, which is open for swimming from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Many Central Street businesses have colorful murals painted on the side of their buildings.
The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian is open Monday through Saturday.
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Ongoing renovations at Ryan Field
Usually, the Northwestern Wildcats play their home football games at Ryan Field, close to the eastern part of the neighborhood. But for the next two seasons, they are being played closer to Lake Michigan, about 2 miles east, while Ryan Field is being renovated. “People have been receptive to the temporary stadium even though it's much smaller,” May says. “They wish that Ryan Field would be built on the lakefront.”
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
Erica Cuneen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Lovelace Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Ackerman Park
Grills
Picnic Area
Tennis
Bent Park
Basketball
Soccer
Tennis
Independence Park
Trails
Playground
Events
Lawson Park
Trails
Playground
Howell Park
Picnic Area
Multi-Purpose Field
Transit
Airport
Chicago O'Hare International
27 min drive
Train
Evanston Central Street Station
Bus
Central Street & Cowper
Bus
Central Street & Crawford
Bus
Central Street & Prospect
Bus
Central Street & Lincolnwood
Bus
Green Bay Rd & Lincoln St
Bus
Central Street & Central Park
Bus
Green Bay Rd & Isabella St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Central Street
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Central Street Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Central Street, Evanston sell after 14 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Central Street, Evanston over the last 12 months is $450,000, down 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Spacious, Sun-Filled Duplex Condo in Prime Central Street Location! Welcome to this stunning 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom duplex condo in an intimate 4-unit, elevator building, just one block from the vibrant Central Street shopping district. This home features a dramatic two-story living room that fills the space with natural light, an open dining area, and a beautiful kitchen with an island and
Lauren Weiss@properties Christie's International Real Estate
Welcome home to this stunning 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath residence that perfectly blends luxury, comfort, and convenience. Notable architect Morgante Wilson played a key role in the complete renovation of this home in 2008, ensuring a seamless fusion of timeless elegance and modern functionality. Situated on an expansive double-wide lot backing up to Ackerman Park, this home offers a beautifully
Stephanie Eiden@properties Christie's International Real Estate
Welcome home to this delightful three bedroom, two full bath home in a highly desirable Evanston location! Current owners have made many upgrades to the property including first floor full bath renovation (2023), new top of the line Carrier heat pump and high efficiency backup furnace (2025), new Pella windows (2022), new washer/dryer (2024), new fridge (2024), new oven/range (2023) and more!
Maria Malliou@properties Christie's International Real Estate
Step into this beautifully updated and maintained Colonial featuring 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Nestled in the desirable Willard School District of Northwest Evanston. Step inside to find a sunlit living room, warmly illuminated by south-facing windows. The bright, white kitchen is a chef's delight, complete with a stainless steel Wolf oven/range, Sub-Zero refrigerator, beverage fridge,
Rarely Available - High-Design New Construction in Evanston! New construction in Evanston is hard to come by, especially one as thoughtfully crafted as 2715 Reese. This is not your typical cookie-cutter build. It's a one-of-a-kind revitalization, blending sophisticated design with modern functionality in a prime location. Every inch of the home reflects attention to detail and design. The main
Special, one of a kind 4-bedroom Tudor home on stellar block in NW Evanston. Built in 1920, this unique home has flexible space on three levels. A few steps down from the entry is the 1st floor which includes a formal dining room with built-ins. An office, galley kitchen, bedroom and full bathroom are part of the original house. In 1993, the current owners added a breakfast room and family room,
The residences at Central Station are attractive, spacious, and functional featuring upgraded spacious floor plan, upgraded kitchens, washer and dryers in, in each residence and built in computer niches. The goal is to design the interior unit finishes to be at the highest end of this submarket.All the energy-efficient residences at Central Station have high ceilings, walk-in closets with wire
Welcome to 1720 Central Station, where luxury meets convenience in North Evanston. Nestled near the El and Metra trains with easy bus access, our rental apartments offer unparalleled access to Northwestern University and beyond. Indulge in the vibrant neighborhood filled with gourmet dining, superb shopping, and endless entertainment options just moments away. Our amenities redefine awesome
Peter LipseyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
Spacious studio; third floor walk-up. Private entry from covered balcony overlooking professionally landscaped courtyard. Lots of closet/storage space including walk-in closet. Hardwood floors throughout except tile in kitchen and bathroom. GREAT LOCATION. Steps to Metra, CTA train, library, boutiques, cafes and Whole Foods. Minutes to hospital & Northwestern. On site storage and
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Erica Cuneen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
7,859
Median Age
47
Population under 18
23.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.5%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$143,865
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$173,493
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99%
College Graduates
85%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
50.4%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
18''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
83/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
79/ 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.
