Waukegan's suburban Bonnie Brook neighborhood is most notable for the public golf course at its center. The surrounding houses are a result of outward expansion from the city, 4 miles away, that continues today, as there’s often land for sale throughout the area. Though much of the city's downtown scene most prominently reflects its rich Hispanic culture, Bonnie Brook has seemingly struck a balance between classic Chicago offerings and locally-owned businesses celebrating Waukegan's nearly 46,000 Latinx residents. “It’s really heartwarming to see how ahead of its time the city really is,” says Niya Simone, public relations specialist with the City of Waukegan. “I see so many businesses popping up that support these groups directly. We’re a big community, but it feels like a small town because of that.” Block parties pair with Dia de Muertos celebrations, while the Bonnie Brook Golf Course is known to host quinceañeras. In essence, for every Chicago-style hot dog in Bonnie Brook, there’s a mangonada around the corner.
Veering off of Bonnie Brook Lane
Bonnie Brook Lane runs around the perimeter of the golf course, and most residences are at the end of long driveways branching off the thoroughfare. Housing styles vary as Cape Cods neighbor ranch-style homes and traditional architecture with Colonial and Tudor-inspired features. Homebuyers will find a mix of attached and detached garages, complemented by paved driveways and old-growth trees protected by wooden fences. Front exteriors may even boast small, well-maintained gardens. Prices range between $200,000 and $365,000, below average for the Chicago Metropolitan Area. Listings for land are also common, offering quarter-acre to acre-and-a-quarter lots priced between $7,000 and $43,000. Though the neighborhood is relatively quiet, occasional flight noise from the Waukegan National Airport does occur.
Housing styles in Bonnie Brook range from vintage ranch homes to contemporary craftsman.
Detached garages are not uncommon amongst homes in Bonnie Brook.
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Celebrating cultural diversity at Waukegan Community schools
Bonnie Brook students attend the Waukegan Community Unit School District 60, which has a bilingual and multicultural department in every school. Primary students are divided between Oakdale Elementary, which earns a C-minus on Niche, and Little Fort Elementary, which earns a C-plus. Jack Benny Middle School and Waukegan High School earn a C-minus. As one of the largest high schools in the state, Waukegan High spans two campuses, with freshmen and sophmores attending one and upperclassmen the other. The schools celebrate the city's cultural diversity during Hispanic Heritage Month, culminating during Spirit Week, when students dress up as their favorite Hispanic celebrity or athlete. Dual enrollment opportunities through the College of Lake County (CLC) and the county’s Technology Campus allow students to take college classes and gain career training.
Little Fort Elementary School boast a 14-1 student teacher ratio for Waukegan kids.
Oakdale Elementary School receives a C- from Niche.com.
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The Metra ride into Downtown Chicago
Though its residents are primarily car-dependent, Bonnie Brook provides Pace Suburban bus stops along McAree Road, Sunset Avenue and County Highway W34. From there, the nearest emergency room sits about 3 miles south at Vista Medical Center. Chicago commuters typically take the Metra from Waukegan station, 4 miles south, where residents can exchange the 45-mile drive for an hour and 30-minute train ride into the city. Though Waukegan National Airport sits just north of the neighborhood, it’s mainly used for charter flights and personal aircraft. Therefore, most fly out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport, 35 miles south on Interstate 94.
The Metra train runs hourly at the Waukegan station located downtown.
The Pace Bus network quickly connects Glenwood Heights residents around town.
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Banana boats and mangonadas on W34
County Highway W34 stretches east of Bonnie Brook, a thoroughfare populated with shopping and dining options. Target and Jewel-Osco share a shopping center less than a mile north along the strip, while La Mexicanita Grocery Store sits across the way—a go-to for to-go meals and fresh-cut deli items. Heading south, the Timberlake Shopping Center houses Walgreens and Dollar General for quick errands. Patrons are greeted by a retro-style walk-up counter at Shirl’s Drive-In, where a letterboard menu spells out banana boats, floats and Chicago-style hot dogs. Of course, La Michoacana Premium is known for its Mexican-American fusion treats. The parlor’s explosive pink and green décor pairs well with cakes, shakes, walking tacos and traditional mangonadas.
Target provides Bonnie Brook residents with every items and great deals.
Jewel Osco bring fresh proudce and essentials conveniently to Bonnie Brook.
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Bike lanes and BMX at Bonnie Brook’s local parks
The Bonnie Brook Golf Course is the beating heart of the neighborhood, a public course commonly referred to as “The Brook.” The Waukegan Park District owns the 18-hole championship course, designed in 1926. Its renovated ballroom is often rented out for baby showers, quinceañeras and even wedding receptions. Next door, the Bevier Center’s walking paths orient around Bevier Pond. Tennis, pickleball and basketball courts accompany a paved bike lane heading east to the Lyons Woods Forest Preserve and west to the Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve. Ben Diamond Park has a playground and baseball diamond, while Henry Pfau Callahan Park is home to the Waukegan BMX Track. Mark Hildebrand, a nationally renowned BMX builder who created tracks for the X-Games and 2008 Olympics, designed this 1,200-foot course.
The Bonnie Brook public 18 hole golf course is a major attraction for Waukegan sportsman.
Henry Pfau Callahan Park has trails including a BMX track.
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From Artwauk to Dia de Muertos
“The park district has some insane programming for kids and adults,” Simone says regarding the Waukegan Park District’s National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. “I think we all appreciate the collaboration. The city really turns up.” September and October are particularly busy with activities ranging from Taste of Hispanic Heritage cooking demonstrations to sugar skull decorating and traditional folkloric Mexican dancing for Dia de Muertos. ArtWauk occurs every third Saturday at varying locations throughout the city. “What’s cool about it is that it’s consistent,” she continues. “For instance, around Halloween, we do a zombie walk, and there are like a thousand different gallery openings and bands playing outside, s’mores and karaoke. But that’s the vibe throughout the year.”
Durring the summer months ArtWauk reinvigorates the downtown scene with new murals.
Downtown Waukegan is undergoing a renaissance within its arts district.
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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Parks in this Area
Bevier Park
Henry Pfau Callahan Park
Lyons Woods To Waukegan Savanna Trail
Transit
Airport
Chicago O'Hare International
50 min drive
Bus
Yorkhouse & Jewel-Osco Entrance
Bus
Lewis Ave & Partridge St
Bus
Mcaree Rd & Yorkhouse Rd
Bus
3050 N Lewis Ave
Bus
Mcaree Rd & Vercoe Ave
Bus
Mcaree Rd & Bonnie Brook Ln (N)
Bus
Mcaree Rd & Blanchard Rd
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Bonnie Brook
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bonnie Brook, Waukegan sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Bonnie Brook, Waukegan over the last 12 months is $291,900, up 8% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Stewart Ramirez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
847
Median Age
37
Population under 18
26.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$73,832
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$92,122
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
77%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
8.2%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.4%
% Population in Labor Force
74.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
30''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
31/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
19/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
27/ 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.
