Midtown District
From Ernie's Midtown Pub to Katie's Cup and beyond
Most of this community's businesses are relatively new, despite their old exteriors. The Midtown District Association works with local movers and shakers to utilize its historic infrastructure. What was once a vacated pharmacy on 7th Street is now Katie's Cup, a cozy coffee shop and community center giving back through programs like the Midtown Free Library. Meanwhile, the historic Faust building is now home to Ernie's Midtown Pub, a craft beer spot that trades the ultra-sleek vibes of many modern breweries for a cozy, vintage feel. Newspaper clippings and Rockford memorabilia create nostalgia for the city's past amid servings of Chicago-style foods like Italian beef. Hai Quynh sits across the street from Midtown Fitness, serving pho noodle soup and other Vietnamese and Chinese fare, including refreshing boba teas and smoothies.Other community spaces include Inscape Collective, a live music and art gallery, and Three Ravens Pottery, which offers open studio times and reservation-based classes. Nicholson Hardware, established in 1945, is one of a few longstanding businesses in the district. Midtown Fresh Market is an option within walking distance for fresh produce, household items, and hot servings of nachos and other to-go bites. The nearest big-box grocer is Schnuck's, sitting beside chain restaurants in Rockford Plaza about 1.5 miles away.
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Visiting Midtown during special events
Vendors and shops set up once a week from June through September for the Rockford Midtown Market, a dog and bike-friendly opportunity to support small businesses. Inscape Collective on 7th Street offers workshops, classes and other programs in their community room focused on women's personal and economic development. And there's always something on the calendar at Ernie's Midtown Pub—Tuesday Trivia Nights carry themes from Jersey Shore to Ben Stiller movies. The Midtown Dog Walk benefits Winnebago County Animal Services through games and treats for visitors and their furry friends.The Midtown District also plants the seeds of change through community beautification projects. "We just did Adopt a Pot Day where we filled all the planters around town with flowers, and we're piecing together metal artwork to have on the corner of 3rd and 7th," Young says. Members of the Rockford Peaches, the city's revolutionary women's baseball team from the 1950s, welcome Midtown visitors from a mural on the corner of 1st Avenue and 7th Street. The mural is a stop on Rockford's Peaches Fan Trail leading to Beyers Peaches Stadium, less than a mile past Kishwaukee Avenue.
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Reinvesting in the Midtown District's housing stock
The central commercial area is encompassed by residential streets. Traditional single-family homes and brick or wood-sided duplexes have stood strong since the early to mid-1900s. Though varied in size and shape, many of these homes have stood vacant for years and need extensive repairs to be move-in ready. ZION Development, the brainchild of Zion Lutheran Church on 5th Avenue in the neighborhood, has rehabbed over 160 homes to create viable housing options. Incoming buyers also have opportunities to reinvest in mixed commercial and residential properties. Recent listings for homes across the spectrum range from about $50,000 to $150,000.
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Traveling to Rockford's parks
While green spaces within the Midtown District are few and far between, parks are less than a mile away. Tenth Avenue Park provides open green space, and Ingersoll Centennial Park offers a playground close to the downtown area. The UW Health Sports Factory pairs extensive indoor athletic courts with close Rocky River views. About 2 miles away, Sinnissippi Park is a Rockford staple along the riverfront with a playground, picnic shelters, tree shade and a golf course. It’s an access point for the 10-mile Rock River Recreational Path.
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Public, charter and private schools for Midtown kids
Public school students in the neighborhood are zoned for nearby Constance Lane Elementary School or Riverdahl Elementary School. Niche gives Riverdahl a C-minus but does not have a rating for Constance Lane, which opened in 2019. They feed into Lincoln Middle School, which earns a C-minus, and Rockford East High School, which earns a C-plus. Many residents opt to apply for local charter and private schools as well, according to Young. Jackson Charter School, which scores a C-minus, provides free transportation to Rockford residents and curates a STEM-focused education. Kids in Rockford get priority registration at tuition-based All Saints Catholic Academy, which teaches prekindergarten through 8th grade; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Academy teaches prekindergarten through 12th grade and earns a B-plus from Niche.
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Getting around Rockford from Midtown
Owning a car may be optional for those living in the Midtown District. "We are a commercial area in the middle of a residential area, so a lot of people walk to what they need," Young says. Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) buses run daily to stops along 7th Street, Kishwaukee Avenue and Broadway. Car owners will likely face more traffic the closer they get to the UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital campus on the community's north end. Residents are about 5 miles north of Chicago Rockford International Airport and can also find bus schedules to the terminal.As the Midtown District continues to expand, so will its convenience. "With the redevelopment of Main Street and 7th Street we'll put in new sidewalks with brick portions, and new lamp posts will be put in all the way from the south end of Main to the north," Young says. "6th Street's gonna be a two way, not a one- way, which will slow traffic down and bring more people to our area. And with the redevelopment of the south main area as well as downtown, we're almost like a triangle now—we're starting to become a go-to area in the city."
Written By
Emma Downes
Photography Contributed By
Corey West
Video By
Charles Kennedy
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Gustavo Vargas
Gustavo Vargas
RE/MAX Partners
(708) 554-7307
84 Total Sales
1 in Midtown District
$155,000 Price
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Otis Lazich
Otis Lazich
Capital Investment Realty Group Inc
(630) 895-7685
156 Total Sales
1 in Midtown District
$67,000 Price
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Kathleen Oehlberg
Kathleen Oehlberg
Realty One Group Strategies
(815) 706-5733
249 Total Sales
3 in Midtown District
$30K - $80K Price Range
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John Juliano
John Juliano
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck RE
(815) 420-4433
105 Total Sales
3 in Midtown District
$120K - $155K Price Range
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Zulma Rodriguez Salas
Zulma Rodriguez Salas
Smart Home Realty
(815) 706-3709
23 Total Sales
1 in Midtown District
$40,000 Price
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Amanda Clark
Amanda Clark
Responds QuicklyGambino Realtors
(815) 623-0164
58 Total Sales
1 in Midtown District
$35,500 Price
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Blackhawk Park
Sinnissippi Park
Ingersoll Centennial Park
Davis Park at Founders Landing
Anderson Japanese Gardens
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Joe Marino Park
Rockford Park District
Beattie Park Playground
Churchill Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Midtown District | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 9 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 7 | 4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Midtown District Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Midtown District, Rockford sell after 90 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Midtown District, Rockford over the last 12 months is $490,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$525,000
Median Sale Price
$490,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$490,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
8
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$227
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
291
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Median Year Built
1934
Months of Supply
7.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,933
On par with the national average
1,924
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,105
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,105
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,840
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
4,916
Median Age
33
Population Density
14 ppl/acre
Population under 18
30.8%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$22,608
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$36,253
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
76.8%
College Graduates
8%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.4%
% Population in Labor Force
50.9%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
34''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
66
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
71
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Highland Area
Historic homes and residential community feel surrounded by restaurants
Keith Creek
A sense of community is strong in this neighborhood southeast of downtown Rockford
Riverview
This community along the Rock River is adjacent to Broadway and Kishwaukee St.
Orchid 3rd Union College
Up-and-coming neighborhood southeast of downtown Rockford
Haight Village Historic District
Historic homes near the Rock River and downtown Rockford
South Sixth Street
Longstanding homes surrounded by industry and directly south of Midtown Rockford
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