$331,504Average Value$314Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Quiet living near the shores of Wonder Lake
The community of Parker’s Highlands is less than a half-mile walk from Wonder Lake’s eastern shores. Lined with mid-century and early 2000s homes, its quiet streets and its distance from major roadways support its calm residential landscape. Despite its laid-back nature, residents keep busy with annual events like Wonder Lake Ski Team Home Shows and days on the water, thanks to private boat launch access. Synonymous with most lakeside communities, residents head out of the neighborhood to eat just north along Hancock Drive and shop in McHenry to the southeast. “I grew up here, and it has changed quite a bit,” says Dave Crook, a Wonder Lake Master Property Owners Association delegate. “it’s a good community. We have the marina and the launches, and it’s all private.”
Wonder Lake Marina's pontoon rentals
Shore Hills Country Club Park & Boat Launch is a short stroll west. It’s common to see children riding their bikes or scooters to the park to take turns on the swings and climb about the playground. Residents can also drop their boat in from the park’s launch or fish off the pier. Wonder Lake Marina, just under a mile north, also provides a ramp for putting in watercraft, as well as slip and pontoon rentals. The lake’s recreational opportunities change in tandem with the season. “When it gets cold, people will go ice fishing out on the water,” Crook says. “They put temporary blinds out there too and duck hunt. I’ve got a one out in front of my house on the lake now.”
“We have an award-winning ski team, which has traveled all over the country,” Crook says. Wonder Lake Ski Team is a longtime community fixture, with Wonder Lake residents comprising most of the team. During summer, Center Park’s beach fills with onlookers watching the team’s Friday evening home shows from shore. The lake’s Independence Day Celebration is another staple, where floats take to the east side for the event’s parade. Following sunset, fireworks soar over the lake to close out the celebration. Crook mentions that folks come from neighboring towns to catch the show.
A small island near Shore Hills Country Club Park and Boat Launch is filled with wildlife.
Parker's Highlands residents get what they need for life on the water at Wonder Lake Marina.
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Mid-century and New Traditional builds
The lake and neighboring Shore Hills subdivision bound the community to the west while sprawling agricultural fields border its eastern side. Residential streets curve throughout the community and run parallel to a thin row of white rock road verges. Mid-20th-century ranch and split-level-style homes alongside early New Traditional builds from the early 2000s fill the community. Homeowners living on the eastern side are in view of Nativity Lutheran Church, while those on the northern end share space with the local post office. These sit on lots just over a quarter acre, which typically include tall pine and oak trees. Potential homebuyers can expect a price range between $275,000 and $365,000. Residents can expect annual Wonder Lake Master Property Owners Association fees, which go towards the upkeep of the lake and surrounding parks.
You can find two story homes mixed in with single and split-level houses in Parker's Highlands.
New traditional houses with attached 3 car garages are abundant in Parker's Highlands.
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Independence Day Celebration
“We have an award-winning ski team, which has traveled all over the country,” Crook says. Wonder Lake Ski Team is a longtime community fixture, with Wonder Lake residents comprising most of the team. During summer, Center Park’s beach fills with onlookers watching the team’s Friday evening home shows from shore. The lake’s Independence Day Celebration is another staple, where floats take to the east side for the event’s parade. Following sunset, fireworks soar over the lake to close out the celebration. Crook mentions that folks come from neighboring towns to catch the show and take out boats to watch the show while on the water.
Taking East End Pizza and Ice Cream to go
Hancock Drive runs along the community’s northern border, where residents can stop by East End Pizza and Ice Cream to pick up a pizza to go. Horizontals is a frequented laid-back bar for a drink after a day out on the water. Though Dollar Tree offers daily essentials along the stretch, most make trips into McHenry 5 miles southeast to shop. Richmond Road is the area’s main retail corridor, with big-name stores like Walmart Supercenter, Famous Footwear and T.J. Maxx, alongside Aldi and Meijer for groceries.
Many Parker's Highlands locals hang out at Horizontals near the lake along Hancock Drive.
Parker's Highlands residents can get all their grocery needs at the local Meijer.
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McHenry Community High School
At summer’s end, students in prekindergarten through eighth grade head to Harrison School, which holds a C-minus rating on Niche. Older students enroll at McHenry Community High School’s B-plus-rated Freshman and Upper Campuses. The Upper Campus includes the Center for Science, Technology and Industry, which includes a robotics lab, broadcasting studio and other educational facilities.
Harrison School is a great option for PK-8th grade school for families near Wonder Lake.
McHenry Community High School Upper Campus is a highly-rated, public school located in McHenry.
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Getting around on State Route 120
State Route 120 runs a mile south and connects residents to Interstate 94, which leads to Chicago 64 miles southeast. Chicago O’Hare International Airport sits 48 miles out in the same direction, while private planes head in and out of Galt Airport on the northwestern side of the lake. Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital is also close to home, an 8-mile trip southeast.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Holly Connors,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Wonder Lake Main Beach and Center Park
Shore Hills Country Club Park and Boat Launch
Wonder Lake Garden Club
Indian Ridge Park & Boat Launch
Wooded Shores Beach
Transit
Airport
Chicago O'Hare International
72 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Parker's Highlands
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Parker's Highlands Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Parker's Highlands, Wonder Lake sell after 71 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Parker's Highlands, Wonder Lake over the last 12 months is $510,000.
Welcome to your next home! Beautiful open floor plan with amazing natural light throughout the main living area. Living room features custom wood accent wall with gas log fireplace. Newly built custom bar with dry sink in the large dining room, primary suite with walk-in closet and private bath. Large dining area over looks the spacious two-tier outdoor living area and yard. Basement includes
Pat BetlinskiBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Holly Connors,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
336
Median Age
46
Population under 18
20.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$78,846
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$106,944
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.9%
College Graduates
17.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.7%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
12°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
31''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
30/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
18/ 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.
