$124,170Average Value$99Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Hilltop’s century-old homes blend with an emerging small business district
The Hilltop neighborhood goes by many names in Rock Island. Sometimes it's College Hill, sometimes it's College Hilltop or just plain Hilltop. But all of them refer to the same place: a turn-of-the-20th-century neighborhood with a vibrant small business district adjacent to Augustana College. Within the neighborhood, the College Hill business district, founded in 2011, is a collection of sustainable shops, eateries, pubs and a brewery. This four-block area blends the college town with an urban residential community of century-old homes. The 3-square-mile neighborhood is divided into two commercial hubs within seven blocks of each other. It’s only a few miles from downtown Rock Island and, as any of the names suggest, offers views from above the town and the Mississippi River.
“Hilltop is a historic neighborhood of Rock Island, but it’s also evolving,'' says Bob Kelly, Realtor with Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors with 10 years of experience. “There are new restaurants, shops and a locally owned bookstore. College students live here, but they love to play in the district, too. So, walkability is key here.”
Rows of smaller cottages and bungalows are common along Hilltop's steeper streets.
Most Hilltop children attend Rock Island High School's impressive campus.
Longview Park offers Hilltop residents a playground, shelters, aquatic center, and more.
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Early 20th-century classic cottages and American Foursquare homes
Buyers in Hilltop will find early 20th-century homes, from Craftsman-style bungalows and two-bedroom cottages to two-story worker’s cottages and American Foursquare homes. “There’s a real neighborhood feel to Hilltop,” says Kelly. “People who live here take pride in their homes. There’s a nice mix of housing here, with bungalows that could be starter homes or for people who are downsizing.”
Gently rolling streets are made manageable by well-kept sidewalks, which take residents past tidy front lawns set back from tree-lined streets. Driveways are common, but street parking is generally available, too. Ready-to-renovate two-bedroom cottages have recently sold from $20,000 to about $100,000, while Craftsman-style bungalows have sold from $95,000 to $145,000. Renovated American Foursquare homes have recently sold from about $150,000 to $170,000.
Classic craftsman bungalows are common throughout Hilltop.
Hilltop is home to larger two story homes in a number of styles, including classic colonials.
Rows of Foursquares and larger bungalows are a common sight in Hilltop.
Hilltop streets are often an eclectic mix of housing style, color, aesthetic, and finish.
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Long-standing local restaurants and nearby grocery stores
One of the notable features of Hilltop is its location within walking distance of nearby shops and services. In addition to the College Hill District, grocery stores such as Aldi mingle with Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy and fast-food restaurants such as Wendy’s on 18th Avenue. Mulkey’s Restaurant is a family-owned and operated barbecue joint known for homestyle cooking and Henny Penny Chicken. On the other side of the neighborhood, Kavanaugh’s Hilltop Bar and Grill has been open since 1952 and presents sports on TV, live music and free popcorn. There’s an outdoor patio with a 120-inch TV screen.
An Augustana College student launched Cool Beanz Coffee Shop in 2020, which survived the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to thrive today. Patrons can reserve a branded coffee truck to visit locations beyond the shop. Suit You is a men’s clothing store that allows customers to buy, rent or order a custom-designed suit.
Mulkey's is a veteran spot in Hilltop serving up Rock Island classics.
Mulkey's Henny Penny Chicken is a Hilltop favorite.
Hilltop boasts a large, modern HyVee grocery for residents' daily grocery needs.
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Public and parochial schools near Hilltop date to the 1920s
Students can attend public schools in Rock Island School District No. 41, which has a B-Niche grade and eight schools. Denkman Elementary has a B-minus grade from Niche and teaches leadership principles to all students. B-minus graded Washington Junior High focuses on seventh and eighth grades. It offers Project Lead the Way electives for students interested in engineering careers. Rock Island High has a B-minus Niche grade and provides college preparatory and vocational curriculums. Its Art Deco-style building is called Rocky by locals.
Nearby private schools include Jordan Catholic, St. Paul’s Lutheran and Seton Catholic. All three provide prekindergarten through eighth grade. Alleman High is the only Catholic High School in the Illinois Quad Cities area and is located on 40th Street in Rock Island. Augustana College is a private Lutheran liberal arts college located a mile east of Hilltop. Founded in 1860 by Swedish settlers, it offers 100 majors and 28 varsity sports teams.
Longfellow Elementary School promotes diversity and inclusion for Hilltop students.
Washington Junior High School provides a critical step in Hilltop children's education.
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Parks inside and outside Hilltop offer history, recreation and sports
Two city parks are within the neighborhood’s boundaries. Old Horace Mann Park is the smallest, featuring one well-maintained baseball diamond and bleachers. Hauberg Estate Park is adjacent to the historic Hauberg Estate, built in 1909 and the showplace home of philanthropists Susanne Denkmann-Hauberg and John Hauberg. The well-preserved Prairie School-style mansion sits atop a hilltop—per the neighborhood’s name—overlooking lush gardens, a creek, and several repurposed, historic outbuildings. The park itself has a baseball diamond, a sports field, an outdoor ice-skating rink and a playground with green space for picnicking. A half-mile paved bicycle trail winds through the gardens and beside the estate’s creek.
Nearby Hodge Park is a beautiful getaway for Hilltop residents of all ages.
Just blocks away, Longview Park provides Hilltop residents acres of outdoor activities.
Longview Park offers Hilltop residents a playground, shelters, aquatic center, and more.
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Events at historic sites are close to home
Hilltop residents host public and private events at the Hauberg Estate's many indoor and outdoor spaces. Frequent events include weddings, plant sales, garden parties, Valentine’s Day dinners and holiday festivals. Augustana College hosts theater and musical performances, college sports competitions and traditional Swedish festivals throughout the year, including the Joy of Christmas service of worship, music and tree lighting.
Bicycle-friendly Hilltop offers MetroLINK bus stops throughout the neighborhood
Getting around Hilltop and into the rest of Rock Island can be accomplished aboard MetroLINK buses that stop on 14th Avenue and 18th Avenue. Bicyclists will find nearby bike lanes in Hauberg Estate Park and the Augustana College campus. The neighborhood is close to the Rock Island-Milan Parkway and is bordered by major roadways, including 38th Street and Seventh Avenue. Quad Cities International Airport is 5 miles southeast of Hilltop and offers non-stop flights to nine U.S. hubs, including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver and Las Vegas.
Hilltop is served by the Quad Cities Metro's 30 Route, offering ready access to downtown.
Hilltop is a bustling neighborhood of older homes and major avenues lined with amenities.
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Hilltop Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Hilltop, Rock Island sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Hilltop, Rock Island over the last 12 months is $127,500, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
WOW! Highly desired HILLTOP neighborhood. This Rock Island 2 story home is stunning. From the recently painted exterior into the oh-so-inviting 3 season front porch to the custom BBQ backyard pergola this home has something for everyone. This home has been extensively renovated and lovingly maintained. Original woodwork, original hardwood floors in bedrooms, main level has newer LVP flooring.
Packed with potential, this 3 bed, 1 bath home offers a spacious and flexible layout ready for your personal touch. The main level features two bedrooms, a full bath, and a generous living area that easily accommodates both a cozy seating space and informal dining. Head into the kitchen where you will find a great layout potential for a custom eat-in space! Hardwood floors and large windows
Updates top to bottom. Amazing backyard fire pit and seating set up. Finished basement with waterproofing system, 3/4 bath, 4th bedroom/ rec room with egress window. Remodeled kitchen with ceramic tile floor. Fenced backyard. Parking slab for 2 cars. Roof on garage replaced in 2017 house roof replaced 2020. Vinyl siding added in 2017 house and garage. Kitchen remodeled in 2021.
Rock Island Charmer – Fully Updated Bungalow with Modern Comforts and Classic Character! Welcome home to this beautifully updated 2-bedroom Rock Island bungalow where timeless charm meets top-to-bottom renovation. From the enclosed front porch to the spacious 2-car garage with extra parking alongside, every inch has been thoughtfully improved for modern living and peace of mind. Step inside and
This upper-level 2-bedroom unit features original hardwood floors, spacious rooms, and comes equipped with a stove and refrigerator. Each unit includes a private storage closet in the basement, with access to a shared laundry area. No pets allowed without prior approval; if approved, a pet deposit is required. Water, sewer, and garbage services are included in the rent. Square footage is
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