$420,772Average Value$273Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Nary a parking meter in Niles
The northwest Niles community of Ballard Terrace is a suburban enclave 20 miles from Downtown Chicago, compact with single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. “We’re nestled between two of the suburbs’ main highways: Interstate 90 and I-94,” says Marty Piot, a long-time resident and Broker with Re/Max City. “You’re not way out there, but you’re also not living right downtown. I’ve never seen a parking meter or a red light camera, and you won’t get towed unless you park in the fire lane. "Your grass grows too tall in Chicago, and you get a ticket. But here, they treat you like a human being: They’ll leave a note instead.” Beyond residential streets, Ballard Terrace sits within a mile of Milwaukee Avenue’s bustling shopping centers and locally-owned restaurants. Walkable schools pair with walkable parks, hosting city-wide events to add character to this otherwise easily missed Niles community.
Ample housing styles and options in Ballard Terrace
In Ballard Terrace, single-family homes and townhouses share residential streets with a handful of apartment buildings scattered throughout the neighborhood. Ranch-style homes and bilevels with beige brick and stone façades range in price from $320,000 to $550,000, while custom builds exceeding 4,000 square feet range between $650,000 and around $1 million. These varying styles often neighbor each other on gridded avenues lined with sidewalks and ample street parking. However, most homes provide attached or detached garages with paved driveways. Similarly, midcentury townhome communities offer designated parking areas. These units are typically priced between $220,000 and $350,000. “We’re pretty ethnically diverse here, too,” Piot says, noting how the neighborhood’s diversity extends beyond housing styles. “Neighbors come together for block parties, and the city encourages it. They even provide tents.”
Ballard Terrace has plenty of traditional American homes for sale.
Bi-level homes in Ballard Terrace sell for $320,000 to $550,000.
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East Maine School District 63
Students in Ballard Terrace begin at the East Maine School District 63, one of 10 districts serving the city. “Niles doesn’t have its own district, which is rare for a city of almost 30,000 people,” Piot says. “Somebody drew these lines over 100 years ago, and they’ve stayed that way. So, we choose where we live to get the schools we want without the extra property taxes.” V.H. Nelson Elementary earns a B-minus on Niche, enrolling less than 500 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. Despite enrolling more than 1,000 students, Gemini Middle School maintains the same ratio and earns a B-plus on Niche. Maine East High School is part of the Maine Township High School District 207, overlapping with District 63. The high school’s 6-story tower is somewhat of a landmark on Dempster Street, inspired by UCLA’s Powell Library Building. Famously the alma mater of Hillary Clinton and Harrison Ford, Maine East offers 18 Advanced Placement courses and is home to the founding chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
Gemini Middle School is a well rated public school near the Ballard Terrace neighborhood.
Maine East High School has an impressive multi-story facade.
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Checkerboard floors and red plastic booths at Niles Grill Diner
Milwaukee Avenue borders Ballard Terrace to the east, a highway many rely on for day-to-day shopping and dining. “We don’t have a huge dining scene, but there’s a lot of variety,” Piot says. “Sure, there aren’t any Michelin Star restaurants here, but we have plenty of mid-budget places that do just fine.” Papagalino’s Café, for example, serves everything from coffee and tiramisu to Spanakopitakia and Tiropitakia. Glass cases filled with Greek pastries complement the European bakery’s cushioned lounge chairs, curating a relaxed ambiance within walking distance of many homes. Just north, Niles Grill Diner is a humble American breakfast spot known for its checkboard floors, red plastic booths and walls crowded with posters, street signs and knick-knacks. The thoroughfare’s shopping centers, including Golf Mill and Millbrook, cover the essentials. From Target, Burlington and JCPenney to Fresh Farms International Market, Marshalls and Walmart Supercenter, residents will find plenty of grocers and retailers within a mile of their street.
Papagalino's Cafe is a local favorite cafe and restaurant near Grennan Heights.
Niles Grill Diner is a humble American breakfast spot.
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Commuter’s choice: I-94 or the Metra to Chicago
Residents of Ballard Terrace are mostly car-dependent, but those preferring public transit can check out the Niles Free Bus. "Where I live, I have a strip mall within walking distance. But no one wants to walk a half-hour for amenities," Piot says. Walkable stops line Ballard Road and Dempster Street, ideal for "the kiddos who don't have their driver's license yet." Chicago commuters typically rely on I-294, which connects to I-90 on the way to the city. Others take I-94 directly south to Downtown. The 20-mile trip, however, is just as easily made by train. The nearest Metra stops are located 3 miles west at Dee Road and 3 miles east at Morton Grove, each offering a 30-minute ride to Union Station. Back home, the nearest emergency room—Advocate Lutheran General Hospital—sits a mile west on Dempster Street. Those traveling out of state usually fly out of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, 8 miles south. While the airport is accessible via I-294, commuters will run into significantly less traffic by taking side streets like Greenwood Road.
Ballard Terrace is a suburban enclave 20 miles from Downtown Chicago.
The Morton Grove Metra station quickly connects The Terrace to the greater Chicago area.
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Golf Mill Park hosts city-wide events among family-friendly amenities
Walkable outdoor recreation is an integral part of life in Ballard Terrace, especially considering Niles is one of the closest suburbs to the concrete jungle of Chicago. Golf Mill Park is one such place, where paved walking paths weave between a pond, ball fields, tennis and basketball courts. But beyond the park’s amenities, Golf Mill is also home to many city-wide events. Families kick off summer at the District 63 Education Foundation Fun Fest & Carnival, complete with rides, games and food vendors fundraising for the district. At summer’s end, the park hosts Niles Cruise Nights Grand Finale, bidding farewell to the season with a classic car and drone show. In the winter months, Holly Jolly Fest makes the most of the cold with hot cocoa, s’mores fire pits, horse-drawn sleigh rides and even an opportunity to meet Santa. The IceLand Ice Area sits just south, where competitive hockey leagues share indoor and outdoor rinks with public skaters holding season passes.
A woman runs across the grass flying a kite during Family Kite Day near Ballard Terrace.
The magic carpets flew through the Morton Grove Fourth of July Parade.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karina Hiselman,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Golf-Mill Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Jonquil Terrace Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Tennis
Ballard Park
IceLand Skate
Transit
Airport
Chicago O'Hare International
15 min drive
Bus
Ballard & Clifton
Bus
Ballard & Grace
Bus
Dempster St & Cumberland Ave
Bus
Ballard & Cumberland
Bus
Church St & Cumberland Ave
Bus
Dempster St & Grand St
Bus
Milwaukee & Elizabeth
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Ballard Terrace
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Ballard Terrace, Niles sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Ballard Terrace, Niles over the last 12 months is $428,117, up 15% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
CUSTOM BUILT ALL BRICK BEAUTY! 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms on the second floor home with ALL hardwood floors on both main level AND second level! Luxury home in Niles with AMAZINGLY LOW TAXES!! WOW! Beautiful elevation with front stoop. Newer roof. BRICK PAVER driveway. Home is very well maintained and lightly used by family. Crown molding on the entire main level. Luxury hardwood floors. Great
This apartment is in a convenient location. It is close to Golf Mill Mall, walking distance. Free transportation, with the Niles Free Bus. Recentlyremodeled. It has new flooring; new kitchen water is included. There is plenty of parking, one assigned one parking space. Call Bonnie for more information.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karina Hiselman,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,599
Median Age
43
Population under 18
21%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$66,759
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$109,345
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81.9%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
40%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.9%
% Population in Labor Force
63.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
18''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
56/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
85/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
50/ 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.
