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Melrose Park

Melrose Park

Located in Cook County

$337,954 Average Value
$220 Average Price per Sq Ft
22 Homes For Sale

Pleasant midcentury aesthetics, 14 miles west of Chicago

Melrose Park has a reputation for always trying to move ahead. Situated 14 miles west of downtown Chicago, it blossomed along with the development of the Proviso freight yards in the 1920s. It established an identity as an industrial neighborhood playing host to companies like Ford, Buick and Zenith. Beautification efforts appeared in subsequent decades, and homebuyers still seek out Melrose Park for the pleasing suburban atmosphere marked by woods, parks and the Des Plaines River. “When people start looking at the western suburbs like Melrose Park, they’re getting an area that’s known for being aesthetically pleasing,” says Realtor Brandon Rodriguez with Corona Homes Team.

Melrose Park is a suburb outside Chicago established in 1882.
Melrose Park is a suburb outside Chicago established in 1882.
There are many affordable housing options in Melrose Park.
There are many affordable housing options in Melrose Park.
The trail along the Des Plaines River is a notable landmark in Melrose Park.
The trail along the Des Plaines River is a notable landmark in Melrose Park.
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Hints of Frank Lloyd Wright in housing styles

Indeed, the rich sense of history in Melrose Park lives on through its architectural flair that tips its hat to the past. “The area has a lot of historical homes because we were close to Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio,” says Stephanie Samuel, a librarian in Maywood. “His students ended up building in the area. Families come here for these styles.” This heritage can show up in newer construction from the 2020s, too, when common genres like ranch homes are elevated with sharp lines reminiscent of Wright’s Prairie style. But homebuyers are just as likely to see midcentury bungalows, split-levels and creative Craftsman-inspired homes with three or four bedrooms. Prices range from $140,000 to $580,000. At the streetscape level, this is a suburban community with driveways, garages and mature shade trees but it does have some urban residential tendencies – small ornamental lawns and homes stacked close together along sidewalks, for example.

The lawns are all properly maintained in Melrose Park.
The lawns are all properly maintained in Melrose Park.
There are many midcentury bungalows in Melrose Park.
There are many midcentury bungalows in Melrose Park.
There are homes to match many budgets in Melrose Park.
There are homes to match many budgets in Melrose Park.
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State basketball showdown at Proviso West High

Grant Elementary covers 1st through 5th grade, and features a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio. It earns a C-plus overall from Niche, but scores an A-minus in the teachers category. Roosevelt Middle earns the same overall grade, but has a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Proviso West High scores a C-minus as well, and is known for hosting a basketball tournament every December, where 16 teams from across Illinois compete.

Grant Elementary School is a public school in Melrose Park.
Grant Elementary School is a public school in Melrose Park.
Roosevelt Middle School serves students in grades 6-8 in Melrose Park.
Roosevelt Middle School serves students in grades 6-8 in Melrose Park.
Proviso West High has 1,956 students in Melrose Park.
Proviso West High has 1,956 students in Melrose Park.
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Renovated equipment at Bataan Park

Relatively small green spaces like Bataan Park dot the landscape. Residents can go here to lounge or stay active. In 2022, Bataan received a newly renovated playground, tennis courts, gardens, ball fields, exercise track and picnic pavilion. On the east end, Oak Park Country Club merges with Thatcher Woods, tied together by the string of the Des Plaines River. At the club, players can weave across an 18-hole marked by a persistent creek. And at Thatcher Woods, visitors can immerse themselves in walking trails or visit the Trailside Museum of Natural History.

There is an updated playground at Bataan Park in Melrose Park.
There is an updated playground at Bataan Park in Melrose Park.
River Forest locals enjoy fishing at the Thatcher Glen Pond.
River Forest locals enjoy fishing at the Thatcher Glen Pond.
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Retail abundance at Winston Plaza

Shopping and dining in Melrose Park presents an interesting mix of small locally owned businesses and big box destinations. For example, Broadway Avenue and Division Street intersect in the center of Melrose Park, and from here it’s just mere blocks to a pizza place, taqueria or cozy Italian restaurant. Lake Street on the southern border is much the same, with small Mexican markets thrown in as well. Meanwhile, Winston Plaza along North Avenue presents a Jewel-Osco, a Target and a Cermak Fresh Market – clearly it isn’t hard to find groceries here. Fast food chains are abundant, as are household names like Best Buy, Walgreens and Starbucks. Evening entertainment can be found at a Cinemark movie complex.

Get your shopping done at the Costco in Melrose Park.
Get your shopping done at the Costco in Melrose Park.
Rancho Nuevo Market is a local favorite for groceries Melrose Park.
Rancho Nuevo Market is a local favorite for groceries Melrose Park.
Get fresh deli meats and cheeses from the Jewel-Osco in Melrose Park.
Get fresh deli meats and cheeses from the Jewel-Osco in Melrose Park.
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Taste of Melrose Park is a food extravaganza

Located on the west end near the freight yards, Swap-O-Rama offers flea market fun with an estimated 200 sellers inside and 100 sellers outside every Saturday and Sunday. The Melrose Park Public Library has events like Make It Mondays, Bilingual Storytime and yoga classes. Food vendors descend every September for the Taste of Melrose Park festival, held annually at the Melrose Park Village Complex. Also in September, the area hosts the Hispano Fest, which raises money for scholarships.

Swamp-O-Rama has many affordable shopping options for residents in Melrose Park.
Swamp-O-Rama has many affordable shopping options for residents in Melrose Park.
The Melrose Park Public Library is a great place to find a new book in Melrose Park.
The Melrose Park Public Library is a great place to find a new book in Melrose Park.
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Metra station near Lake Street

Melrose Park is distinguished by the fact that its residential grid is highly walkable, but the commercial areas are easy to access as well. Buses run along key routes like North Avenue, Broadway Avenue and Lake Street, allowing residents to explore every compass point through public transportation. There’s a Metra station on the southside, too, just on the other side of Lake Street. Commuters may also choose to take North Avenue a mile west to quickly connect with Interstate 290. Or, taking this route east, residents will meet Gottlieb Memorial Hospital before even leaving the neighborhood.

The Melrose Park Metra stop connects Chicago to Melrose Park.
The Melrose Park Metra stop connects Chicago to Melrose Park.
Residents enjoy being close to many options for shopping in Melrose Park.
Residents enjoy being close to many options for shopping in Melrose Park.
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Tina Davis
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Tina Davis
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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

Parks in this Area

Melrose Park Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$330,000
Median Sale Price
$325,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$339,900
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$255,250
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$325,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
142
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$220

Area Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
5,930
Number of Homes for Sale
22
Median Year Built
1953
Months of Supply
1.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,749
Below the national average
1,925
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,170
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,438
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,002
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Sep 14
    Open Sun 3PM - 5PM

    35 S 16th Ave, Maywood, IL 60153

    $299,900

    • 2 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 1,465 Sq Ft
    • 35 S 16th Ave
    • New 17 days ago

    Charming 1920s Bungalow in North Maywood - Fully Renovated & Move-In Ready! Welcome to this beautifully updated classic frame bungalow, blending timeless charm with modern upgrades. Located in desirable North Maywood, this 2-bedroom, 1-bath home offers stylish comfort with a full finished basement for added living space. Step through the inviting front foyer-perfect for stashing winter boots and

    Juan Espinosa E-Professional Realty

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Melrose Park Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
21,801
Median Age
37
Population Density
24 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$59,884
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$79,764

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
73.4%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
13.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.5%
% Population in Labor Force
67.7%

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®®

47 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®®

73 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®®

39 / 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.
Melrose Park