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Crown Park

Crown Park

Neighborhood in Evanston, Illinois

Cook County 60202

$599,719 Average Value
$367 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Artists, families and longtime residents thrive in Crown Park

The increasingly popular Evanston neighborhood of Crown Park is a small enclave in the West Village arts district, filled with longtime residents, families and artists. "It's become popular and trendy, but it's not what you would call fancy," says Emily McClintock, a broker with Baird & Warner. "It's just little businesses and people who are actually living where they work, kind of like Brooklyn was to New York."

Fixer-uppers and two-flats with rental income

Prices have risen dramatically over the past five years, according to McClintock. But for many, the area remains an affordable alternative to more expensive east-side neighborhoods on Lake Michigan. Thick rows of trees and early 20th-century architecture give this neighborhood a mature vibe. Bungalows, worker's cottages and two-flat buildings line the streets. Owners often live on the first floor and rent out the second. Dating back to the early 1900s, many of these properties offer renovation opportunities. Prices can range from about $400,000 to above a million. "It's a nice mixture of old and new, and if you have any talent for fixing up a house, you can get a great house in a great location," says Mary Rosinski, a broker with Coldwell Banker Realty and member of Evanston’s Parks and Recreation Board.

Robert Crown Community Center is the "crown jewel" of Evanston

The Robert Crown Community Center is a neighborhood anchor and a draw for families. The new facility, completed in 2020, is affectionately called the "crown jewel" of Evanston, with two NHL-sized ice rinks, two full-sized gyms, studios for art and dance, outdoor sports fields and a wide variety of programming. "It's definitely the center of that neighborhood and attracting a lot of people, because all of the kids who play sports will end up there at some point," McClintock says. It's also a spot for resources such as beach passes at Evanston Public Library.

A-rated schools through Evanston-Skokie School District 65

The neighborhood is in the sought-after Washington Elementary School attendance district, with three highly rated schools in the zone. Washington Elementary School and Nichols Middle School both earn A-minus grades. Located on the neighborhood's south side, the elementary school offers a fine arts program, gardening and wellness experiences and extracurricular activities. Evanston Township High School earns an A-plus and has a strong academic reputation with 15 career certification options, 36 Advanced Placement courses and 16 Dual Credit courses. Evanston is home to Northwestern University, a private research university that ranks among the top in the country.

Events showcase art and community

Crown Park's events reflect its creativity and variety. The West Village Jamboree is a neighborhood block party where residents enjoy free food and activities such as crafting, salsa lessons, and a drum circle led by community organizations. "We have artists, landscape designers, architects, all kinds of people living here," says Lisa Degliantoni, founder and co-director of Evanston Made. "It's meant to showcase the neighborhood and our diversity." West Village is a focal point during the city-wide Artist Studio Tour in October. Locals can pop in and out of the studio spaces and buy 2D and 3D art. Moving trucks turn into art galleries during Art Truck in the summer. Around 60 artists set up their work in the trucks for locals to peruse.

Walking, biking and public transit options

Distances can be measured in blocks, not miles, and residents can accomplish many errands on foot. "Everything is 4 to 6 blocks away," Rosinski says. The neighborhood has a network of sidewalks with plenty of shade. Chicago Transit Authority buses serve the neighborhood every 20 or 30 minutes from Dodge Avenue and Main Street. Bike lanes and bike-safe roads also connect throughout the city. Chicago commuters can access the Metra train station, which is about a mile east. It's about an hour ride into the city via the Union Pacific North line.

Locally owned businesses and eateries in Crown Park

Rather than in white-walled galleries, art here is displayed in garages and makers' spaces, especially on Florence Avenue. Most businesses are locally owned, not chains. "You can stroll around the neighborhood on the weekend and go in and out of the businesses and meet the owners, and they will actually be there," McClintock says. Located in what was once a Polish meat market, the nonprofit Evanston Made hosts workshops and spotlights local art. For a bite to eat, Zentli is a new option in the area that celebrates both the flavors and artwork of Mexico. Locals enjoy the Mexican street food in a decked-out dining space. Evanston Plaza has shopping and dining options where the neighborhood's steel manufacturing factory used to be. Valli Produce has grocery essentials, including international options.
Liz Coughlin
Written By
Liz Coughlin

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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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Mary Summerville, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Chicago O'Hare International

27 min drive

Bus

Dodge & Main

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Crown Park US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 2 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Crown Park Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$450,000
Median Sale Price
$432,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$459,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$361,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
8
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
11%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$367

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
233
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1914
Months of Supply
1.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,379
Above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,701
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,400
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Mary Summerville, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,025
Median Age
43
Population under 18
25%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$121,195
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$143,619

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
92.2%
College Graduates
61.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
34.7%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
18''

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

95 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

76 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

51 / 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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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Crown Park