West Evanston
Neighborhood in Evanston, Illinois
Cook County 60201
An eclectic mix of historic homes showing off personality
Following the curve of the North Shore Channel on its western side, the gridded residential streets in the interior of West Evanston are full of an eclectic mix of architectural styles: National homes, American Foursquares, workers’ cottages, bungalows, townhouses and duplexes. Many date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s while others were built around the 1950s to replace the older homes. Mature trees line neighborhood sidewalks. Parking varies as narrow alleys lead to rear lots and detached garages behind homes, while street parking accommodates others. Most homes sell for between $200,000 and $500,000, though those on the streets surrounding Penny Park in the southeastern corner range from $700,000 to $1.2 million.
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West Evanston's longstanding community center
The North Shore Channel stretches along the western side of the neighborhood with several parks beside it. Twiggs Park has playgrounds and a skatepark. Many neighborhood parks are within walking distance of homes and offer playgrounds for kids. Mason Park, a larger one, has tennis and basketball courts surrounded by white flowering trees. In the summer, the park hosts camps and programs. The city plans to expand the park further by creating a corridor of walking paths and gardens in the empty space past Davis Street and the corner of Lake Street and Dodge Avenue. Bike lanes along these thoroughfares also aim to make the neighborhood more bike-friendly and safer for pedestrians.Foster Park might be closed during the construction of 5th Ward Elementary, but Fleetwood-Jourdain Center is still open. It originally opened in 1956, making it the oldest in the city. Today, it offers indoor basketball courts and after-school programs for kids.
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5th Ward Elementary School currently under construction
Currently, students living in West Evanston attend elementary schools determined by location. Students north of Church Street are zoned for one of four elementary schools, including Kingsley Elementary, which receives an A-minus from Niche. However, the city is building 5th Ward Elementary School in the center of the neighborhood. It is expected to be completed for the 2026-2027 school year and will serve this whole portion of West Evanston. After finishing fifth grade, students continue to Haven Middle School, which also receives an A-minus.Students on the southern side of the community attend A-rated Dewey Elementary School and Nichols Middle School, which receives a B-plus. North and south unite at Evanston Township High School, which earns an A-plus. The school has a comprehensive arts program, offering various orchestras, bands and choirs.
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September concerts and summer farmers' markets
Because West Evanston is so close to downtown, residents can head to the seasonal and annual events hosted there. From May to early November, the Downtown Evanston Farmers Market brings fresh produce to Evanston residents. Along the lake at Dawes Park, people can listen to folk music concerts every September at the Evanston Folk Festival.
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Commuting to downtown Evanston via the Metra or the subway
West Evanston is under a mile from Downtown Evanston. Chicago, located about 20 miles away, is reachable via US-41 and public transit at the Davis Street/Evanston Metra station or the Purple Line at the Davis subway station. Both are within a mile of the neighborhood. Endeavor Health Evanston Hospital is 1.5 miles away on Ridge Avenue, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport is 16 miles from West Evanston.West Evanston's breweries and barbecue joints
Dining options are available along Wesley Avenue on the northern side of the neighborhood. Car-themed Double Clutch Brewing Company serves German-style beers in a classic garage setting complete with vintage Cadillacs, Chevrolets and Volkswagens on display. Hecky’s Barbecue’s motto, “It’s in the sauce,” says all people need to know. Visitors can stop in for a pulled pork sandwich or sweet potato pie, or just buy a bottle of the house sauce. Downtown, Target and Whole Foods are both 1 mile away from West Evanston.
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Written By
Caroline Ernst
Video By
Paris Lape
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Gloria Zrnich
Gloria Zrnich
HomeSmart Connect LLC
(773) 825-3585
82 Total Sales
1 in West Evanston
$350,000 Price
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Jim Streff
Jim Streff
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
(773) 389-2807
283 Total Sales
1 in West Evanston
$265,000 Price
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Mary Summerville
Mary Summerville
Coldwell Banker
(630) 931-8695
362 Total Sales
20 in West Evanston
$160K - $1.2M Price Range
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Erik Schwab
Erik Schwab
Responds QuicklyCorcoran Urban Real Estate
(312) 957-7984
94 Total Sales
1 in West Evanston
$422,500 Price
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Adam McDowell
Adam McDowell
Responds QuicklyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
(888) 366-7309
42 Total Sales
1 in West Evanston
$340,000 Price
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India Whiteside
India Whiteside
@properties Christie's International Real Estate
(877) 764-7911
106 Total Sales
1 in West Evanston
$506,000 Price
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
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 8th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Merrick Rose Garden
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Botanical Gardens
Penny Park
- Trails
- Playground
- Multi-Purpose Field
Mason Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Soccer
Leider Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Playground
Beck Park
- Grills
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Lawson Park
- Trails
- Playground
Butler Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Soccer
- Trails
Burnham Shores Park
- Boating
- Tennis
- Trails
William H. Twiggs Park
- Basketball
- Trails
- Playground
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | West Evanston | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
West Evanston Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in West Evanston, Evanston sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in West Evanston, Evanston over the last 12 months is $401,500, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$412,400
Median Sale Price
$401,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$402,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$350,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$389,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
50
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-9%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$286
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,430
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Median Year Built
1935
Months of Supply
1.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,680
Significantly above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,886
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,445
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405
Open Houses
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Sunday, Jun 1512am - 2pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
6,952
Median Age
36
Population under 18
27.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$48,302
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$81,384
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.4%
College Graduates
36.7%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15.9%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.8%
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®
73
/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
52
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Downtown Evanston
Historical waterfront homes and cityscape views
Ridge
Classic homes and parks along a major Evanston thoroughfare
West End
A west Evanston neighborhood with recreation by the channel
West Village
Evanston's grassroots arts district packed with galleries, studios and spirit
Central Street
Close to Lake Michigan and Northwestern University athletic facilities
Northeast Evanston
Evanston's residential university town along the lake
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