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Val-E-Vue

Val-E-Vue

Neighborhood in Springfield, Illinois

Sangamon County 62702

$217,694 Average Value
$107 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Buy a house, get a pony free

In 1954, when Leonard Sapp first bought the land that would become Val-E-Vue, there wasn't a lot of interest because of the location — it was directly south of the Lincoln Airport runway. The developer's son, Larry Sapp, recalls his dad's brilliant plan to drum up interest: "My dad raised Shetland horses, so he had this idea to give away a free pony to the kids of any family who moved in. In the end, it was the kids that sold those houses.” It was the start of a very close-knit Springfield suburb. "It was amazing how the ponies brought the Val-E-Vue community together. Kids would ride them through everyone's backyards, and there were pony shows every year,” Sapp says. The era of ponies ended in Val-E-Vue as the years passed, but long-time residents still cherish pictures and remember the names of their four-legged friends. And every year, instead of a pony show, neighbors still get together for a block party to reminisce and keep the sense of togetherness alive in Val-E-Vue.

Midcentury homes on winding, hilly roads

Homes in Val-E-Vue were built from the 1950s to the 1970s in classic midcentury ranch styles, split levels and colonial revivals. The street names are reminiscent of the pony days, with names like "Palamino" or "Horseshoe." Yards can range from a quarter to half an acre, and prices remain consistent across the neighborhood, varying from $175,000 to $250,000. There are no sidewalks, but there are streetlights, and there is hardly any through traffic on the quiet streets. Mature oaks and maples dot grassy lawns, and the neighborhood has its own lake, though it is not open for swimming or boating. "Today, it's still a popular neighborhood, and the houses sell like hotcakes," Sapp says, drawing on his experience in commercial real estate as a broker with Garrison Group. "When my dad developed it, he made the streets winding and hilly; he built a lake and added a beach — you don't really see that elsewhere in the city and people like that uniqueness."

A local lake and a nearby dog park

Though there's a picnic bench on the side of the lake for residents looking for a quick place to enjoy nature, there are no parks within the neighborhood. But right across Winch Road, Stuart Park has a playground and sports fields across its 38 acres. The park's main attraction is the dog play area, which includes separate enclosures for larger and small dogs, as well as water splash pools. For those looking for a longer walk, the park connects with the Sangamon Valley Trail, an 11.5-mile paved pathway that stretches across the county.

New renovations at Lanphier High School

Kids are zoned to attend Addams Elementary School, which gets a C-plus grade on Niche. Addams keeps parents up to date with its monthly newsletter, The Roar Report. Then it's on to Grant Middle, rated C and Lanphier High School, rated C-plus. Lanphier High underwent a $100 million renovation in 2023 and 2024, which included a new auditorium, library and athletics facilities. The school offers AP courses and a popular trade program that pairs students with apprenticeships right out of school.

Noise from the nearby airport

The Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is about a 3-mile drive from Val-E-Vue, but the end of the runway is just about 1 mile away. As a result, residents of Val-E-Vue can hear planes low overhead. However, a 92-acre stretch of land between the neighborhood and the airport provides a buffer. The land is used as farmland and is unlikely to ever be developed.

Secluded from the rest of the city

With its location on the west side of State Route 4, Val-E-Vue is cut off from the rest of the city. While this can be nice for a sense of neighborly unity, running errands means a trip into the city. There are no bus lines in the neighborhood, so that trip must be made by car. There's a County Market 2 miles down Burns Lane, the only option within a 5-mile radius. Burns also has some chain restaurant options. Downtown Springfield is 4 miles away. And for longer trips, Route 4 connects directly out to St. Louis and Chicago.
Catherine Lashley
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Corey West
Photography Contributed By
Corey West
Colleen Carey
Video By
Colleen Carey

Agents Specializing in this Area

  • Diane Tinsley

    Diane Tinsley

    The Real Estate Group, Inc.

    (217) 860-0719

    445 Total Sales

    2 in Val-E-Vue

    $154K - $181K Price Range

    Diane Tinsley
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  • Jim Fulgenzi

    Jim Fulgenzi

    Responds Quickly

    RE/MAX Professionals

    (217) 993-8699

    779 Total Sales

    2 in Val-E-Vue

    $178K - $181K Price Range

    Jim Fulgenzi
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  • Phil Chiles

    Phil Chiles

    Responds Quickly

    Keller Williams Capital

    (217) 606-8574

    280 Total Sales

    1 in Val-E-Vue

    $186,400 Price

    Phil Chiles
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  • LISA HAGGERTY

    LISA HAGGERTY

    Responds Quickly

    Keller Williams Capital

    (217) 953-4421

    75 Total Sales

    1 in Val-E-Vue

    $236,250 Price

    LISA HAGGERTY
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  • Melissa Vorreyer

    Melissa Vorreyer

    Responds Quickly

    RE/MAX Professionals

    (217) 606-8797

    733 Total Sales

    2 in Val-E-Vue

    $140K - $216K Price Range

    Melissa Vorreyer
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  • Tracy Shaw

    Tracy Shaw

    Responds Quickly

    Keller Williams Capital

    (217) 860-0193

    330 Total Sales

    1 in Val-E-Vue

    $186,000 Price

    Tracy Shaw
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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
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Diane Tinsley, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Abraham Lincoln Capital

5 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Val-E-Vue US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Val-E-Vue Demographics and Home Trends

On average, homes in Val-E-Vue, Springfield sell after 9 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Val-E-Vue, Springfield over the last 12 months is $255,625, up 34% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$269,900
Median Sale Price
$255,625
Median Single Family Sale Price
$275,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
34%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$107

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
79
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Months of Supply
2.00

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

See Homes

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Diane Tinsley, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value

Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
283
Median Age
44
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.7%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$85,606
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$96,081

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
42.2%
Advanced Degrees
23.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
7''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

17 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

1 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

23 / 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.

Learn How Walk Score Works

Nearby Neighborhoods

Enos Park
Enos Park

Historic homes and artsy community amenities in this north end neighborhood

Harrison Park
Harrison Park

A Springfield suburb with neighborly pride and a family-friendly atmosphere

Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park

Restored historic homes just north of Springfield's downtown

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Reviews

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Illinois Sangamon County Springfield
Val-E-Vue
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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Val-E-Vue
Diane Tinsley
The Real Estate Group, Inc. Section Image
Diane Tinsley
Diane Tinsley
The Real Estate Group, Inc.
Agent experienced in this area
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