$177,696Average Value$219Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
A broad mix of people in this neighborhood close to downtown Rockford
With some houses approaching 100 years old, the North Highland neighborhood has a certain charm just east of downtown Rockford. It’s the kind of charm that attracts all walks of life. “You have the single woman walking her dog, a young family pushing a stroller and a retired couple who have been in the neighborhood for years,” says Julie Humpal, a RE/MAX Property Source broker who is a life-long Rockford resident and has been selling real estate for over 30 years. “People also love the proximity to the downtown area, which has gotten more trendy in the past five years.” Every Tuesday night from early May through late October, as many as 15 food trucks show up at the Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens along the Rock River and feature a variety of delights.
North Highland offers suburb living with many amenities feeling like city life.
The North Highland neighborhood is not far from the downtown Rockford area.
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North Highland’s classic architecture
From bungalows that date to the 1920s to Cape Cods that go back to the mid-20th century and a 1940s Dutch Colonial with nearly 2,000 square feet can be found along the narrow, shady streets. “Most of the houses were built in the 1940s and 1950s,” Humpal says. The price range runs from $160,000 to $275,000. One house in the neighborhood is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Amos Catlin Spafford House was built in the 1860s and is an Italianate with Second Empire influences on 15 acres of land. Spafford was a farmer, lawyer and merchant and co-founded a back in Rockford in the 1850s. “The house is known to be very generous to trick-or-treaters at Halloween,” Humpal says. While not on the National Register of Historic Places, an 1845 Federal-style house on Paris Avenue was once home to a prominent Rockford businessman in the 1840s and 1850s.
Rows of four square bungalow homes are close by with quaint yard space.
The neighborhoods of North Highland are quiet and well established.
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Rural Oaks Plaza is home to local businesses
Those living in North Highland don’t have to travel far for local restaurants and hangouts. The Rural Oaks Plaza is a small shopping center near the corner of Guilford Road and Rural Street that has a few local establishments that are favorites. Lydia’s Café is open until early afternoons with breakfast and lunch staples. It’s been a part of the community and locally owned for over 20 years. Lesslys Ice Cream Shop is Mexican-themed with flavors like Mexican hot chocolate and tequila. They also serve yogurt and other snacks. Rural On Tap is a neighborhood tap house where people gather with friends to watch the game or hang out and unwind. They also have three dart boards, a jukebox and video poker machines. Rivera’s Fresh Market is a Hispanic-themed grocery store and restaurant, while a more domestic flair can be found in the food items at Schnucks.
Shopping and dining can be found within Rural Oaks Plaza near North Highland.
Lessly's crafts chile sorbet with mango fruit called mangoneada near North Highland.
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Rockford Park District’s oldest golf course
North on Guilford Road is the back end of the Sinnissippi Golf Course, part of Sinnissippi Park, with an entrance on 2nd Street near the Rock River. The golf course has nine holes, is hilly and is a challenge for even the most seasoned golfer. The course is the oldest in the Rockford Park District, opening in 1912. The adjoining Sinnissippi Park has a music amphitheater called the Sinnissippi Music Shell, which is home to Music in the Park, an outdoor concert series happening Tuesday and Thursday evenings and an occasional Saturday afternoon performance.
Boaters love the Rock River and its closeness to the North Highland area.
Residents of North Highland love to be outdoors running or hiking the paved trails.
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Rockford School District 205
School-aged children could start their K-12 journey at Maud E. Johnson Elementary School, earning a C on Niche and with a 17-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Abraham Lincoln Middle School gets a C-minus for grades six through eight and has been open since 1927. Rockford East High School receives a C-plus grade on Niche. Jackson Charter School is also part of the Rockford School District 205 and focuses on hands-on learning and a STEM-focused curriculum through fifth grade. The school is rated a C-minus.
Jackson Charter School offers a playground at the front of the school in North Highland.
Maud E. Johnson Elementary School is a one level school located near North Highland.
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Rockford Mass Transit District Routes 11 and 13
The Rockford Mass Transit District bus line heads into downtown and the nearby UW Swedish American Hospital on State Street to the west and beyond Interstates 90 and 39 to the east. Another line travels on Rural Street, then north on Parkview Avenue and back toward the river on 2nd Street. Some people commute to downtown Chicago from Rockford, and that journey could be made more accessible in 2027 when a Rockford Metra station is scheduled to open.
Walking paths near the Rock River are a great way to end the day near North Highland.
Many places to eat are within the main strip of North Highland on Highway 20.
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
Kathleen Oehlberg,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Blackhawk Park
Sinnissippi Park
Ingersoll Centennial Park
Davis Park at Founders Landing
Anderson Japanese Gardens
Picnic Area
Trails
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
Beattie Park Playground
Alpine Hills Adventure Park
Rock River Recreation Path
Transit
Airport
Chicago/Rockford International
20 min drive
North Highland Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in North Highland, Rockford sell after 93 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in North Highland, Rockford over the last 12 months is $368,958, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Step into timeless charm with this 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath historic brick home, built in 1947 and packed with character. Spanning 1,530 square feet, this property includes a formal living room for special occasions, a dedicated dining area, and a cozy family room perfect for movie nights or catching up on your favorite book. A unique feature of this home is its Beckwith Elevator—just the thing if
Andrew KordashBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck RE
Welcome to this charming home near downtown Rockford! This spacious property features 3 bedrooms on the main floor, 1 bedroom in the finished attic, and 2 additional bonus rooms in the full, finished basement, offering plenty of versatile space for your needs. Stainless steel appliances. With 3 full bathrooms, including one fully updated bathroom, a new furnace, and a cozy fireplace in the large
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kathleen Oehlberg,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,094
Median Age
39
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.8%
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
$83,240
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$97,450
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.7%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
33%
Advanced Degrees
11.8%
% Population in Labor Force
69.7%
On par with 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
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
41/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
42/ 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.
