$155,949Average Value$298Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Living between the Rock River and North 2nd Street
A connective force flows between Rockford and nearby Loves Park: the Rock River, a major tributary known for its water sports. The City of Rockford has made the most of its waterfront by building up parks up and down its banks. In Martin Shorewood, residents live east of two of these popular recreational spaces: Martin Park on the north end, and Shorewood Park on the south. Though close to nature, these homes maintain an urban feel with the sounds of the city not far off. Traffic on North 2nd Street runs to the east of the community, meets the riverbanks at a point and the two move together toward downtown Rockford offices, museums and restaurants.
Martin Park to the north, Shorewood Park to the south
Shorewood Park has been home to the Ski Broncs—Rockford’s premier waterborne performance act— since 1967. Cheering fans fill the bleachers at the stage area to watch the team stand on each other’s shoulders and skirt the top of the river. “It’s a great option for families looking for something to do on a weeknight, they’re out there putting on a good show for the community,” says Jared Corey, lifelong Rockford resident. In 2024, the city allocated $800,000 towards stabilizing the shoreline, building a new-and-improved stage and reinforcing a flood wall to prevent erosion of the shore. Some homes here are at greater risk of damage during heavy rains and storm surges, according to risk data analysis firm First Street. Besides the Broncs, the 10-mile paved Rock River Recreation Path also traces through Shorewood and travels north to Martin Park, a favorite for swimming, fishing, boating and afternoons on the playground. The trail continues over the Riverside Bridge alongside car traffic and leads all the way north to Mercyhealth Sportscore One. With 18 soccer fields and 8 lighted softball/baseball diamonds, it’s a key spot for YMCA leagues and athletic associations.
Shorewood Park offers bike trails with newly paved paths for the community.
Calm waters near the boat docks offer serenity from a busy day in Martin Shorewood.
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Cape Cods and bungalows inland from the Rock River
Established waterfront properties with boat docks line the Rock River; however, these tend to stay in Rockford families for generations and rarely hit the market, according to Sully Cadengo, Stateline Real Estate agent and longtime Rockford resident. Most homebuyers in Martin Shorewood scope out properties farther inland, though boat owners still have close access to the public launch at Martin Park. The area is mostly single-family homes, save for a few townhouse-style apartment communities like Bennett Street Townhomes and Shorewood Townhouse Apartments. Cape Cods, ranch-style homes, and bungalows with 3-season porches line the wide streets, most built in the early- to mid-1900s. The majority include two to three bedrooms and 1 to 1.5 bathrooms, with tiny one-bed, one-bath cottages at the lowest price point. Unlike the rehab-ready homes in downtown and southeast Rockford, many of these homes have already been renovated and may even have fully fenced backyards and sheds from previous owners. Their Loves Park location poses another benefit, too: no municipal property tax. Some blocks have long backyards extending back up to one-third of an acre. The blocks farthest north and south are more tight knit, with still enough room for an above-ground pool or garden. Narrow sidewalks thread the grid for walkers, and the neighborhood holds a CAP crime score of 3 out of 10, one point below the national average of 4. Prices throughout Martin Shorewood range from $70,000 to $190,000 depending on the number of remaining upgrades needed before move-in.
Ranch and Four Square homes are popular architectural styles in Martin Shorewood.
Rows of smaller Cape Cod and Bungalow style homes line the streets of Martin Shorewood.
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Dinner on North 2nd Street, groceries in Loves Park
Martin Shorewood is just west of North 2nd Street, the main north-south road through Loves Park to Rockford. Chain restaurants like Beef-A-Roo and McDonald’s line this stretch, alongside family-owned businesses. Striking red walls, cream tablecloths and a scenic mural of the Italian countryside set the scene at Nunzio's Restaurant, which serves large plates of Italian classics with enough food to take home after. Hot summer nights mean a trip to Dairy Depot, where visitors are awarded after a long line with a towering chocolate or vanilla soft serve cone or a limited edition flavor, such as Georgia Peach in the summer. Locals travel farther into Loves Park for big-box shopping at Walmart Supercenter, Aldi and more chain options, and into downtown Rockford for a night out before a show at the historic Coronado Theater.
Dairy Depot in Martin Shorewood crafts delectable treats close to home.
Nunzios Pizza offers carry out pizza and dining inside for dinner in Martin Shorewood.
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Rockford’s full event calendar
The Ski Broncs hit the water each Wednesday evening throughout the summer, save for cancellations from flood warnings. The team has a continued impact on Rockford and Loves Park, teaching amateur skiers of all ages and even extending lessons to disabled members of the community with their inclusive program, Adaptive Adventures. Beyond the Broncs, residents will want to explore everything Rockford has in the works. “The city’s got so many different parks and music events going on,” Corey says. “There’s great shows at Sinnissippi [Park], little food truck carousels, the Anderson Japanese Gardens, and now they’ve got the Hard Rock Casino coming soon. Downtown’s really been redeveloping too.”
Anderson Japanese Gardens is a fun place for a walk outdoors near Martin Shorewood.
The river bend offers plenty of trees and amenities along the water of Martin Shorewood.
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The Harlem Consolidated School District learning pathway
Like most of Loves Park, public school students in Martin Shorewood are zoned for the Harlem Consolidated School District. Kindergarten attendance is optional in Illinois, but locals can choose to send their tots to Windsor Lake KinderCare or preschool programs like Grace Lutheran Preschool before heading up to Loves Park Elementary School for first through sixth grade. The school is right within the community on Grand Avenue and scores a B-minus from Niche. Harlem Middle School teaches seventh and eighth grade and gets a C-plus, and Harlem High School scores a B. In addition to Advanced Placement courses, students can take early college credit courses through nearby Rock Valley College. Private, tuition-based schools are also popular in the Rockford region. Residents live about a mile from St. Bridget School, a Catholic option for prekindergarten through eighth grade. Kids can graduate from here to Boylan Catholic High School, which gets an A-minus from Niche. Keith Country Day School—which gets an A-plus—offers a tight-knit environment with a 7-to-1 student-teacher ratio from prekindergarten through 12th grade.
Loves Park School is located off of grand avenue in Martin Shorewood.
Harlem High School students practice morning sprints near Martin Shorewood.
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Driving into Rockford and future Metra plans to Chicago
Save for short walks to nearby parks and restaurants, residents hit North 2nd Street or head across the river to Main Street to reach downtown Rockford in 4 to 5 miles by car. Those taking Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) buses head into the city from stops along North 2nd, but for the return trip home, they’ll be heading up the opposite side of the Rock River via Rockton Avenue. With busy Interstate 90 as the only connecting thread to Chicago for over 50 years, current residents have a long commute ahead if they work outside of the Illinois Northern Stateline Region. In 2023, city and state officials announced the return of Metra to Rockford for the first time since 1981. The station is projected for completion in 2027, with two roundtrips per day totaling about 2 hours each way. Until then, drivers take East Riverside Boulevard all the way down to Interstate 90 for the rest of the 92-mile drive. As for medical care, the closest emergency room is about 5 miles away at UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital.
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.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Amanda Clark,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Darryl F Lindberg Park
Martin Park
Sinnissippi Park
Wantz Park
Anderson Japanese Gardens
Picnic Area
Trails
Shorewood Park
Arthur W. Anderson Peace Park
Beattie Park Playground
Rock River Recreation Path
Transit
Airport
Chicago/Rockford International
24 min drive
Martin Shorewood Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Martin Shorewood, Loves Park sell after 56 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Martin Shorewood, Loves Park over the last 12 months is $424,000, up 41% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Exceptional Riverfront Property with Endless Possibilities! This 1.56-acre property boasts stunning views of the Rock River and offers limitless potential for a vacation rental or events venue, currently thriving as a successful Airbnb and events space. The property features a spacious, open layout with a welcoming fireplace, a convenient kitchen, and two expansive bedrooms with private
Welcome to this 3 bedroom 3 full bath. Don't wait to see this one! New from top to bottom! around 2100+ total finished square feet area. ** Low Taxes ** All new, new doors, new closets, new windows, new gutters, new appliances, new luxury vinyl plank flooring, new paint, new trim, new hot water tank, new bathrooms, the list goes on! Nice bedrooms, Full finished basement, full modern bath in main
CR Zoning in Loves Park near the Rock River. The owners outgrew this property before moving in. Architectural Design plans available. The property is gutted and ready for your build out. Property is being sold As-Is.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Amanda Clark,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,730
Median Age
39
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$45,472
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$60,301
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.8%
College Graduates
10.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
34''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
60/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
47/ 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.
