From a bird's-eye view, Hawthorn Woods presents a verdant canvas of forested lands and widely spaced subdivisions. High-ranking schools and curb appeal attract homebuyers to this village of just over 9,000 residents, which is bolstered by an active community and quick access to neighboring townships. “You’re only driving a few minutes for amenities,” says Beth Hunt, a local Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. “It makes it hard to want to retire somewhere else. Besides the winter and Chicago’s taxes, you’re spoiled here.” Leading industries in Lake County include manufacturing, life science and finance.
Bridlewoods Park features wide open lots with lots of space for families to enjoy.
Century Park Arboretum near Hawthorn Woods features paved trails for locals to enjoy.
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Semi-custom homes with acre lots
Winding roads define the residential landscape, where semi-custom properties built from the mid-20th century through the early 2000s appear most often. “One of the things that initially attracts homebuyers is that they get an acre of land,” says Helen Oliveri, broker and owner of Helen Oliveri Real Estate and longtime resident. Adding to its somewhat rural vibe is the absence of fencing. "This is because they want a contiguous landscape," Oliveri says. “I’ve grown to love it. It’s lush scenes with trees, and it's just beautiful.” The median price for single-family homes in Hawthorn Woods is $700,000, above the national median. New developments appear within subdivisions like Hawthorn Woods Country Club and West Hawthorn Hills , where prices can reach nearly $1 million. A handful of townhouses also dot the village, with prices typically averaging around $450,000.
Hawthorn Woods has many mid-century houses including charming single story ranch homes.
Semi-custom new traditional homes can be found throughout Hawthorn Woods Country Club area.
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Adlai E. Stevenson High School District ranks No. 1 in the nation
Three school districts divide the community into thirds. Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 maintains an A-plus on Niche, while Fremont School District No. 79 gets an A-minus. Both provide a full pre-K through 12th-grade pipeline. Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District No. 96 enrolls pre-K through eighth-grade students and holds an A rating. The remaining ninth through 12th-grade students attend Adlai E. Stevenson High School District. This stand-alone A-plus-rated district ranks No. 1 on Niche’s Best School Districts in America. In 2018, the high school opened its $60 million Patriot Wellness Center, with amenities like an indoor turf field and a physical therapy room.
Adlai Stevenson High School in district 125 ranks as #1 Best School District in America.
Spencer Loomis Elementary is a well rated public school in Hawthorn Woods.
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Run errands in Lake Zurich and shop retail at Deer Park Town Center
“In Hawthorn Woods, you don’t want the businesses and retailers in your face,” Oliveri says. “But they are still close when you need them.” Nearby shopping hubs include Deer Park Town Center's 70-plus retailers 5 miles south and Lake Zurich's selection of big-box stores a similar distance southwest. Both sit alongside neighboring restaurants that dish out a variety of cuisines. However, the village may expand its amenities for immediate development along Midlothian, Gilmer and Hawley roads.
The community enjoys the show at Santa’s Arrival and Fireworks event at Deer Park Town Center.
Chasers Bar and Grill in Lake Zurich is a great place to hang out with friends for lunch.
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Residents gather at Hawthorn Woods Country Club
Northeastern Illinois has long, hot summers and cold winters with snowfall. The Village of Hawthorn Parks and Recreation maintains several parks and wooded trails. “Hawthorn Woods Country Club is a community staple here,” Oliveri says. The club pairs its championship course, designed by Arnold Palmer, with various activities from racquet sports to a youth day camp. When freezing winters roll in, residents head to Foglia YMCA or race down Community Park’s sledding hill after a heavy snow.
Families enjoy browsing the Little Free Library at Hawthorn Woods Community Park.
The golf course at Hawthorn Woods Country Club offers a top notch golfing experience.
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Attending village events at Community Park
“There are ample things to do here, so it’s easy for people to blend in with the community and participate,” says Oliveri. Community Park is the hotspot for village-wide events, like Hometown Holiday thrown in early December. The celebration rings in the festive season with local vendors, a grand tree lighting and a visit from Santa. The park’s lawn also fills for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show held the evening before the holiday. Residents can also catch its adjoining festive parade day of that stretches from Lagoon Drive to Village Hall.
Congestion on the roadways and crime statistics
Old McHenry, Gilmer and Midlothian roads serve as the community's main arteries. Though both experience rush-hour backups because of the one-lane roads, Oliveri notes passing trains as the biggest challenges for wait times. “It’s a 10-minute pass train and comes through several times a day,” she says. The village is currently in the design phase to build a bridge that will pass over the train tracks.
The village experienced a slight increase in property crime from 2022 to 2023, according to FBI data.
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.
