$223,796Average Value$211Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
An easygoing small community at the heart of Wonder Lake
Sitting just east of the core of Wonder Lake in northern Chicagoland, Wonder Center is the heart of the village that shares the lake's name. Prestigious lakeside homes may be the big-ticket item for folks considering life in this tight-knit community, but the distinctive blend of convenience and privacy is a big part of what compels locals to stick around. "It's known for having a very serene, rural atmosphere. You really do get a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life," says Dawn Bremer, a Realtor and team lead with The Bremer Team at Keller Williams Success. Bremer specializes in sales in McHenry County and has more than 15 years of real estate experience in the Chicago area.
Premium lakeside homes and simple living inland
Most of Wonder Center’s single-family properties were built in the 1930s and 1940s. Locals live in Cape Cods, ranch-style homes and small houses with minimal traditional stylings. Larger properties with distinct styles, including some Tudor and Colonial Revival-influenced homes, sit on the west side of the neighborhood near the lakefront. Homes generally sell between $109,000 and $553,000. Lakefront access is handled through membership in the Wonder Center Property Owners Association, which maintains the neighborhood’s two parks.
Lakeside homes in Wonder Center range in style from ranches, Cape Cods, and the distinct Tudor.
Cape Cod style homes built in the 1940's are a predominant style in Wonder Center.
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Varied experiences at McHenry Community High School campuses
Just east of the neighborhood on McCullom Lake Road, Harrison School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school earns a C-minus grade on Niche. For the ninth grade year, students move on to the B-plus ranked McHenry Community High School - Freshman Campus. McHenry Community High School - Upper Campus handles classes from sophomore year to senior graduation. The A-minus ranked school offers 12 athletic teams and more than 50 extracurricular activities for students to participate in.
McHenry High School scores a B+ on Niche.com excelling in extracurricular clubs and activities.
Harrison School is a great option for PK-8th grade school for families in Wonder Center.
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Piers and docks overlooking the waters of Wonder Lake
On the community’s south end, Wonder Lake Main Beach and Center Park is one of the village’s prime spaces to enjoy its namesake lake. Benches overlooking the water sit on short piers for catch-and-release fishing, and families can also visit for turns on the swing sets. For most of the year, access is limited to residents of the Wonder Center community, but the park opens to the public every Fourth of July for the annual fireworks show. Wonder Lake Marina sits a few steps away from the park, offering barge services, winter storage and care for boat owners.Less than a mile away from the Main Beach area, Wonder Center North Beach offers a quieter option for enjoying the water. For outdoor time on dry land, the Harrison Benwell Conservation Area is just east of the neighborhood. Trails bend through a mix of flatland and wooded areas in this natural area, providing an ideal spot for nature hikes and picnics during the warm season and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Wonder Centers North Beach may lack sand but is great for scenic lakeside views.
In the off season the docks and boat launches are pulled from the water's of Main Beach.
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Restaurants in Wonder Lake and shopping in McHenry
While shopping choices in Wonder Lake are minimal, Wonder Center isn’t far away from the options available locally. Dollar Tree and Dollar General stores are both situated along Hancock Drive/McCullom Lake Road. On the west side, Karen’s Treasures by the Lake has knickknacks for the home and a rotating inventory of seasonal décor, with selections like floral decorations for springtime and Halloween wreaths and light-up skulls for the fall.
Wonder Lake Bicycle is a key stop in the village for cyclists. Operating out of a dedicated garage space, this bike shop offers repairs, accessories and a varied inventory of new and used bikes. Additional shopping options, such as Meijer, Walmart, Aldi and The Home Depot, are available about 5 miles southeast of the neighborhood in McHenry.
Local favorites for dining out include Busy Bee Restaurant, an all-day casual dining spot with a wide-ranging menu. Visitors can order classic diner fare in the morning with scrambled eggs, French toast and other breakfast platters; in the afternoon and evening, the kitchen serves burgers, Tex-Mex and Italian selections, among other options. “It’s certainly one of the more popular options in town,” Bremer says.
East End Pizza and Ice Cream is a go-to for delivery and take-out in town, serving up its namesake pies and milkshakes alongside soups, calzones and brisket-loaded baked potatoes.
Wonder Center is home to Karen's Gift Shop, a perfect place to buy a unique present.
The Busy Bee restaurant is Wonder Center's favorite diner for breakfast or lunch.
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Ski team shows and lively nights at the local bar
One of Wonder Lake’s go-to stops for nightlife is Horizontals Saloon. Dartboards, video slots and a jukebox set the tone as locals kick back to watch football with fresh draft pours. In the warm months, folks can also visit the patio for pickup volleyball games on the sand pit.Village residents also gather on the water on Friday nights in the summer to watch the Wonder Lake Water Show Ski Team, an acrobatic water skiing team celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025. The team has won five national show ski championships and organizes a popular annual show in town for the Fourth of July alongside the fireworks.
65 miles from Chicago
McCullom Lake Road connects Wonder Center to McHenry and the neighboring communities to the east, while Wonder Lake Road and Lake Shore Drive both facilitate local travel around the village. Residents are about 65 miles northwest of Chicago. Folks looking to save on gas can commute into the city through the Metra station in McHenry, about 6 miles southeast.For medical concerns, Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital is about 8 miles southeast of the neighborhood in McHenry. Residents traveling beyond the Chicago area can catch flights from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, about 45 miles 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
Ty Barton,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Wonder Lake Main Beach and Center Park
Harrison Benwell Conservation Area
Bike Trails
Grills
Picnic Area
Shore Hills Country Club Park and Boat Launch
Wonder Center North Beach
Indian Ridge Park & Boat Launch
Wooded Shores Beach
Transit
Airport
Chicago O'Hare International
71 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Wonder Center
US
Homicide
3
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
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Wonder Center, Wonder Lake sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Wonder Center, Wonder Lake over the last 12 months is $231,850, down 17% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ty Barton,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
574
Median Age
41
Population under 18
21.3%
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
$56,538
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$72,967
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.7%
College Graduates
20.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.4%
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®
29/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
36/ 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.
