Convenience is the calling card in Franklin Park, a village less than 5 miles south of Chicago O’Hare International Airport and less than 20 miles from Chicago’s downtown lakefront. A trio of Metra commuter rail stations and Interstate 294 further bolster Franklin Park’s reputation for being a quintessential bedroom community. “With all that proximity, Franklin Park is ideal for people who work outside their home,” says Rose Dante, a Realtor at Baird & Warner with almost 15 years of experience. Nearly 18,000 residents live in this near northwestern suburb that is only separated from Chicago by the width of the Des Plaines River.
Franklin Park is a village that provides all of the necessary amenities in an inviting area.
Conductors wait for Franklin Park passengers to board the active the Metra train.
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Midcentury housing styles at lower prices than the Chicago median
Many homes in Franklin Park strike a balance between city living and the larger houses found in Chicago’s further suburbs. Rene Aguirre, a broker at Northlake Realtors, relocated to Franklin Park for that reason. “It was a downsize situation, and I like that it’s quiet and safe,” Aguirre says. “I’ve noticed that people tend to stay in this area a long time, usually 15 to 20 years.”
The median home price of around $315,000 is lower than the national median and in Chicago proper. Midcentury housing styles are predominant. Bungalows, Cape Cods and condos can start for less than $200,000, and it’s unusual for a single-family home in Franklin Park to sell for more than $475,000.
Located in Franklin Park, ranch style homes provide one-story living to home buyers.
The Cape Cod style of home is one of many unique types in Franklin Park.
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East Leyden High combines with neighboring West Leyden for sports
Franklin Park School District No. 84, which includes three elementary schools and Hester Junior High, earns a B-rating from Niche. East Leyden High School earns an A-minus rating and is ranked among Illinois's top 125 public high schools. East Leyden’s enrollment is just over 1,800 students. Interestingly, East Leyden does not have an athletic rivalry with West Leyden in neighboring Northlake. Instead, they compete together as Leyden High School despite being separate schools.
Triton College, a two-year community college, is in neighboring River Grove.
East Leyden High School offers over 60 clubs to help Franklin Park students develop skills.
Scott Elementary School in Franklin Park has a student to teacher ratio of 10 to 1.
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Logistics-friendly location draws in employers
Franklin Park’s location near Interstate 294 and O’Hare makes it ideal for logistics, and warehouses play a big part in the village’s economy. Sloan Valve Company, known for introducing the motion-sensor toilet flusher and manufacturing the flushometer commonly used in American public restrooms, is based in Franklin Park and has over 1,000 employees.
Train traffic is frequent, as there is a major Canadian Pacific Kansas City railyard in neighboring Bensenville.
Metra’s Milwaukee District West line runs from Chicago to Elgin and has two stations in Franklin Park. There is also a station on the North Central Service line, which runs from Chicago to Antioch. Pace’s 319 bus runs through Franklin Park along Grand Avenue.
Home to a thin-crust favorite
Mannheim Road and Grand Avenue are Franklin Park’s primary commercial corridors. Grand Stand Pizza, in operation since 1982, specializes in the tavern-style, thin-crust pizza that many Chicagoans insist is the true “Chicago-style” pie. Oakbrook Center, the second-largest mall in Chicagoland with more than 150 stores and restaurants, is 10 miles away from Franklin Park.
The Grand Stand Pizza provides Franklin Park with authentic Italian cuisine.
Nearby Brook Forest, the Oakbrook Center is one of the most prestigious outdoor malls.
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Plenty of indoor and outdoor recreational options
No matter the season – and Franklin Park experiences all four in full measure – there are ample recreational opportunities. The village operates 17 parks and a community center. In summer, the ballfields, sand volleyball court and public swimming pool at Gouin Park are a major draw. Franklin Park Ice Arena stays open year-round and offers open skating and rec hockey leagues, among other activities.
Gouin Pool, on the south side of Franklin Park, is a great place to cool off.
The sand volleyball pit at Gouin Park is a great way to spend an afternoon.
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Franklin Park Fest is a village celebration
Franklin Park Fest is a four-day event that kicks off the summer and usually occurs in early June. It takes place in the heart of the village at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Calwagner Street, with live music, food vendors and a beer and wine tent. The Saturday of the festival is Railroad Day, where the public is invited to tour the classic railcars on display.
Around Christmas time, the village has a large Winterfest, which includes a tree lighting, a children’s choir singing Christmas carols and Santa Claus' arrival on a fire truck.
Crime rates are below national averages
In 2023, property crime rates in Franklin Park were slightly below the national average, and violent crime rates were well below the national average, according to the FBI.
Written By
Alex Hickey
Video By
Francisco de la Vera
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Gustavo Vargas,
an experienced agent in this area.
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Situated on a quiet neighborhood block, this well-maintained Franklin Park home offers a thoughtful layout and updates throughout. The main level, with refinished hardwood floors, includes a large open living room connected to a separate dining area. The recently refreshed kitchen, featuring newer appliances, boasts new cabinets, butcher block counters, and a white subway tile backsplash. A
Ashley Bell@properties Christie's International Real Estate
This move-in ready brick home offers a spacious and versatile layout featuring a bright living room, formal dining room, a master bedroom, and four additional bedrooms-perfect for large families, guests, or home office needs. The home includes two full bathrooms and a fully finished basement with a dedicated laundry room. Step outside to a well-maintained yard that's perfect for entertaining
Welcome to this all brick, 3 bed 2 bath ranch with a full, finished basement with exterior access! Unbeatable Franklin Park location with close proximity to Mannheim Rd, shopping, schools, entertainment, Highways and O'hare! This home offers solid brick construction, classic charm, and endless possibilities! Basement provides exceptional extra space including 2 additional rooms, large family
Situated on a quiet neighborhood block, this well-maintained Franklin Park home offers a thoughtful layout and updates throughout. The main level, with refinished hardwood floors, includes a large open living room connected to a separate dining area. The recently refreshed kitchen, featuring newer appliances, boasts new cabinets, butcher block counters, and a white subway tile backsplash. A
Ashley Bell@properties Christie's International Real Estate
This move-in ready brick home offers a spacious and versatile layout featuring a bright living room, formal dining room, a master bedroom, and four additional bedrooms-perfect for large families, guests, or home office needs. The home includes two full bathrooms and a fully finished basement with a dedicated laundry room. Step outside to a well-maintained yard that's perfect for entertaining
Welcome to this all brick, 3 bed 2 bath ranch with a full, finished basement with exterior access! Unbeatable Franklin Park location with close proximity to Mannheim Rd, shopping, schools, entertainment, Highways and O'hare! This home offers solid brick construction, classic charm, and endless possibilities! Basement provides exceptional extra space including 2 additional rooms, large family
Be the first to live in this brand new development in the heart of Chicagoland, with some of the most luxurious and spacious units anywhere. Large power kitchens, dining room, walk-in closets, shower with body jets, facial recognition systems, touch-sensor kitchen faucets, spacious balcony, in-unit washer/dryer, high ceilings, and modern lighting are just some of the unique features Premier
Finally available for rent. Beautiful and updated 2 bedrooms, first floor unit condo within an 8-unit complex in the Ruby Street Condo Association. Large living room, nice size bedrooms, beautiful hardwood floors, new bathroom and updated kitchen with new SS appliances, freshly painted and a lot of natural lighting make this home a unique place to enjoy your life. The unit includes a unique,
Requesting permission to land: if you want a home with proximity to O’Hare International Airport but with the soothing feel of a suburb, check out West Grand Avenue. This is a somewhat smaller neighborhood, extending from Interstate 294 down to Fullerton Avenue, laid out in a neat grid. But packed into these blocks is a real sense of community and charm.
"There are some single-family homes back there for first-time homebuyers, and you're generally going to see big lots," says Realtor April Kibler. "This is still an industrial area and there's a lot of traffic and connectivity, but you can make a nice home here."
Look for prices in the upper $200,000s and low $300,000s. Much of the housing stock is from the mid-1950s. While the exteriors may reflect this time period with neutral siding and awnings over front doors, the interiors are another matter altogether. In some homes, you can expect to see state-of-the-art appliances, new floors and sleek bathrooms with marble finishes. Other homes are ready for a buyer who wants a blank canvas for their renovation dreams.
Whichever way you go, you can be sure the homes are set on quiet suburban streets with yards and mature trees. They may not always have sidewalks, but their old-fashioned air conveys a sense of ease. Walking is encouraged.
You’ll want to drive or catch a bus along Route 45, though: that’s the major commercial corridor on the east end. You can find all sorts of fast casual chain eateries here, from Chipotle to Jersey Mike’s Subs. This is also the route most residents will take to grab groceries at Tony’s Fresh Market. But for that true neighborhood spot with local flavor, head to El Pollo Vagabundo, where you can dip into a voluminous salsa bar in a modest setting.
Route 45 is also a seamless way to merge onto Interstate 294, so once you’ve fueled up your car and your belly, zip on east to downtown Chicago for some nightlife fun – you can get there in about 50 minutes.
Still, there are plenty of parks you can walk to. Set on 3.5 acres, Westdale Park has a large pavilion to congregate under, a playground to explore and a pond to relax by. The 2-acre Coach Jim Wagner Park is a preferred place for neighbors to stroll and enjoy friendly connection.
Roughly 830 students in grades 6-8 are served at Mannheim Middle, and the school offers bilingual instruction. Older students go to West Leyden High, which has been open since 1959. Famous alumni have attended, including Frankie Sullivan, who co-wrote the famous song “Eye of the Tiger." Chicago Bulls announcer Tom Dore is another former student.
Another educational resource nearby is the Northlake Public Library, which expanded by 20,000 square feet and added a second story in 2007. Recently, the library announced $2 million expansion: most of this money was already raised by June 2021. Expansions include a bigger children’s area, a maker’s space with 3D printer, more seating and a coffee shop. Community events include a children’s story hour and lectures in the humanities. The building first went up in 1989.
West Grand Avenue may seem like an unassuming neighborhood at first. But once you realize it has all the basic necessities, plus quick access to O’Hare and downtown Chicago, you’ll feel like you’ve landed home.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Franklin Park Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
18,070
Median Age
41
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$72,112
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$87,342
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
79.8%
College Graduates
16.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
35''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®®
49/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®®
66/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®®
35/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.