Downtown Springfield
Neighborhood in Springfield, Illinois
Sangamon County 62701, 62702
$146
Average Price per Sq Ft
High-rise living within walking distance of work
Downtown Springfield is made up of brownstone high-rises and modern mixed-use developments. There aren’t any single-family homes here, and most residents rent. According to Apartments.com, the average monthly rent in the city is $819, and options downtown can range from $600 to over $2,000. The city continues to develop downtown to add more housing units. The latest project, Lofts on Madison, is still in the planning stages but would add 136 units — one of the area’s largest residential buildings. The rising demand for housing downtown is primarily driven by a growing population of workers who want to be able to walk to work.
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Abraham Lincoln museums and other attractions
Downtown Springfield is filled with historical attractions related to Abraham Lincoln. The Presidential Library and Museum has the world’s largest collection of Lincoln artifacts, and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site offers tours of the president’s former home. The Old Illinois State Capitol, first constructed in 1840, is also a spot of historical interest. The capital is undergoing a $300 million restoration project and is expected to reopen in 2025.At the heart of Springfield’s museum district, Union Square Park offers a small green space, complete with a gazebo and benches. The Downtown YMCA, which has an indoor pool, fitness center and event programming. Kids can also learn about STEM at the interactive Kidzeum of Health and Science.
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Public school zoning and SIU School of Medicine
There are multiple school paths for children in downtown Springfield based on address. Most students go to Graham Elementary, which gets a C on Niche. Grant Middle rates as a C, and Springfield High earns an A-minus. Niche ranks the high school as the third-best high school in Sangamon County. It offers career and technical courses in business education and family and consumer science, which includes advanced culinary courses.Downtown Springfield also borders the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, which operates out of the two local hospitals. As a result, this neighborhood is popular with medical students.
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A growing arts scene in Springfield
Downtown is the epicenter of Springfield’s events, which range from cozy holiday celebrations to impressive showcases of the city’s growing arts scene. The Old Capitol Farmers Market is the largest of its kind in central Illinois. The market runs all year long, moving inside during the colder months. The city also hosts the annual Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair, a two-day outdoor gallery experience, and the Legacy of Giving Music Festival, a fundraising-focused celebration of regional talent. “It’s a huge event that pulls in bands from all over the Midwest and gives them the opportunity to play to a large audience,” says Vishnu Srinivasaraghavan, a Springfield local whose band performed in the 2024 festival. “The growing arts and music scene is a bit of a hidden gem about Springfield.”Ortega says encouraging the city’s creative spark is a significant focus for DSI. “We want to continue providing opportunities to emphasize the artistic community here in Springfield, and we believe it is key to increasing the city’s vibrancy.” DSI plans regular live music events, supports local businesses, and encourages public art through its ARTificiation program.
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A citywide overhaul of the railroad system
Most of downtown’s streets have sidewalks, and the Second Street corridor has bike lanes. Springfield Mass Transit District runs several bus lines through downtown, though buses do not run on Sundays. Downtown is also home to an Amtrak station, with trains that run south to St. Louis in about two hours and north to Chicago in about three hours.The Springfield Rail Improvement Project is designed to mitigate traffic and noise throughout the city and is expected to be completed by 2027. The project will switch all railroad traffic from the Third Street corridor to the 10th Street corridor on the edge of downtown. The Amtrak station will also be relocated, transforming into the new Springfield Sangamon County Transportation Hub. The hub will be a state-of-the-art facility for Amtrak trains, Greyhound buses and other regional transit options. In addition, a system of safe crossings, underpasses and overpasses will eliminate the need for noisy train horns. “People are really excited about the rail project,” Ortega says. “It’s been a big undertaking.”
Horseshoe sandwiches and busy bars
Although the city's west side is often considered the fastest-growing, downtown Springfield has also experienced an increase in restaurants and shops. “I’ve only been with DSI for eight months, but even in that time, I’ve seen an influx of new businesses and restaurants popping up,” Ortega says. “We have more than 20 restaurants and some really nice boutiques.” There are plenty of cuisines to choose from, but downtown is one of the best spots in the city to sample Springfield's specialty sandwich, the Horseshoe, a piece of thick-cut toast topped with meat, fries and cheese sauce.Local brewery Buzz Bomb Brewing has regular live music nights and got its start at the farmers market. Celtic Mist stays open 365 days a year and is housed in an Irish-style tavern. Clique has regular drag shows and an LGBT-friendly atmosphere. Country Market is the closest grocery store.
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Influential community organizations and initiatives
Several community organizations serve Downtown Springfield, including Springfield Urban League, which offers comprehensive support programs like subsidized childcare and free computer classes. Urban Action Network is encouraging revitalization in the city center with initiatives like microgrants for neighborhood improvement and holiday food distribution.The CAP Crime Score Index for downtown Springfield is a 10 out of 10, significantly higher than the national average of 4. In 2023, the city adopted the “BUILD Springfield” initiative, which stands for Beautification, Unity, Innovation, Leadership and Development. The initiative takes a proactive approach to crime prevention, with programs like street cleaning, neighborhood watch groups and community outreach.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Photography Contributed By
Chris Jeong
Video By
David Fritzson
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Phil Chiles
Phil Chiles
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Capital
(217) 606-8574
280 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Springfield
$400,000 Price
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JULIE DAVIS
JULIE DAVIS
The Real Estate Group, Inc.
(217) 860-0893
462 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Springfield
$85,000 Price
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Melissa Vorreyer
Melissa Vorreyer
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX Professionals
(217) 606-8797
733 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Springfield
$1,250,000 Price
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Todd Smith
Todd Smith
Todd P Smith Real Estate
(217) 860-0743
71 Total Sales
10 in Downtown Springfield
$150K - $950K Price Range
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Blake Pryor, CCIM
Blake Pryor, CCIM
Coldwell Banker Commercial Dev
(217) 670-6268
27 Total Sales
4 in Downtown Springfield
$50,000 Price Range
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Curtis Tillett
Curtis Tillett
The Real Estate Group, Inc.
(217) 860-0802
48 Total Sales
3 in Downtown Springfield
$55K - $225K Price Range
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Union Square Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Downtown Springfield | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 9 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 10 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 10 | 4 |
| Robbery | 10 | 4 |
| Burglary | 10 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 10 | 4 |
| Larceny | 9 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 10 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Springfield Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Springfield, Springfield sell after 14 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Springfield, Springfield over the last 12 months is $105,000, up 119% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$105,000
Median Sale Price
$105,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$105,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
1
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
119%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$146
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
5
Median Year Built
1891
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,319
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Rent
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$1,275 - $1,750 per month
- Lincoln Square Apartments
- 1-2 Beds
- 1.5 Baths
- 850+ Sq Ft
- 521 E Monroe St
- Springfield, IL
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$2,530 per month
- Condo for Rent
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 990 Sq Ft
- 8 S Old State Capitol Plaza
- Unit ID1031831P
- Springfield, IL
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$3,970 per month
- Condo for Rent
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,194 Sq Ft
- 8 S Old State Capitol Plaza
- Unit ID1031837P
- Springfield, IL
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,687
Median Age
41
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$18,101
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$44,307
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81.5%
College Graduates
21.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.5%
% Population in Labor Force
38.6%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
7''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
77
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
85
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
49
/ 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
Enos Park
Historic homes and artsy community amenities in this north end neighborhood
Mather and Wells
A well-established neighborhood in downtown's backyard
Oak Ridge
A historic Springfield neighborhood just northwest of downtown
Old Aristocracy Hill
One of Springfield's most historically significant neighborhoods
Pillsbury
A well-worn factory neighborhood long overdue for a comeback
Pioneer Park
A historic neighborhood just outside of downtown Springfield
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