Prairie District

Prairie District

Urban Core Neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois

Cook County

$906,812 Average Value
$323 Average Price per Sq Ft
18 Homes For Sale

Historic neighborhood in Chicago’s South Loop

The Prairie District has a rich history. The neighborhood evolved from a Native American trail connecting Chicago’s Fort Dearborn to Indiana’s Fort Wayne into a millionaire’s row where the city’s leading industrialists built grand estates along Prairie Avenue in the late 19th century. Several of these homes remain standing today, and the community maintains its individuality while embracing a central location in the South Loop. “The Prairie District offers historic character and more of a neighborhood feel than you’ll find a couple of blocks over,” says Tina Feldstein, a Broker Associate with Berkshire Hathaway and founder of the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance. “This area is also a dream for transportation and access to everything Chicago offers.”

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Prairie District is located in the south loop and just a short ways from downtown Chicago.
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There are several historic mansions that are still present in Prairie District.
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Sprawling estates and modern townhomes

The remainder of the Prairie District’s historic homes are clustered around South Prairie Avenue and the thoroughfare is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many have been redeveloped into townhouses and condos, but several 19th-century estates inspired by Queen Anne and French Chateau Architecture line the street. Single-family homes are less common, and prices range from around $1.8 to $3.9 million. Modern townhomes built in the early 2000s sit along tree-lined streets, with prices ranging from about $600,000 for a two-bedroom unit and up to $1.9 million for a five-bedroom unit with a private elevator.

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There are a few remaining 19th century estates in Prairie District.
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Three story row homes line the streets of Prairie District.
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Community park with historic house museums

Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens provides a quiet respite for locals. “This is really the anchor of the Prairie District,” Feldstein says. “There’s both passive green spaces and a fieldhouse with community events for families and adults.” The fieldhouse offers several fitness studios, meeting spaces and a unique indoor playground complete with a climbing wall for kids to explore. Outside, locals can relax among nature or stop by the park’s community garden. The park is nestled between two historic house museums – the Clarke-Ford House and the Glessner House. Residents can tour both houses, with the Clarke-Ford House dating back to 1836 and being the oldest home in Chicago.

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The Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens hosts a variety of events for Prairie District residents.
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Residents of Prairie District can tour the Clarke Ford House, which dates back to 1836.
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Locally owned spots in Chicago’s South Loop

La Cantina serves authentic Mexican dishes and vibrant cocktails in a cozy, candlelit interior, while Chicago Oyster House offers an upscale dining experience with fresh seafood served over white tablecloths. Neighbors gather in cozy booths at Spoke and Bird Café for homemade pastries and cups of coffee. With Women’s Park and Gardens next door, locals can also take their purchases to go and enjoy them on a scenic walk through the park. For groceries, the independently owned South Loop Market sells staple products and specialty goods from local suppliers.

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South Loop Market in Prairie District is an independently owned grocery store.
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La Cantina serves authentic Mexican dishes and cocktails in a cozy setting in Prairie District.
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Events in the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens

The Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens hosts a variety of events for the community. Locals gather for free movies, concerts and crafts in the park.

Students attend Chicago Public Schools

Kids in grades K-8 attend National Teachers Academy, which earned a B from Niche, before moving on to Wendell Phillips Academy High School, which earned a grade of C-minus. “Schools are a big draw here and the National Teachers Academy is becoming better and better,” Feldstein says. The high school offers a three-year program – Embarc – designed to prepare low-income students for success in their future studies or careers. “There are also multiple private schools, so there are a lot of options for young families.”

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National Teachers Academy offers a safe and secure campus for students to learn and play.
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Main building and entrance to Wendell Phillips Academy High School.
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Proximity to the CTA bus and the L

“Access to transportation is probably the biggest draw here,” Feldstein says. The Chicago Transit Authority provides local bus service to the community, with several stops along South Michigan Avenue. Locals are less than a mile from the Cermak-McCormick Place Train Station. “You can easily get on the L and take the green, red or orange line.” Residents are also near the intersection of Interstate 55 and Interstate 90, with O’Hare International Airport about 25 miles away.

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Residents of Prairie District are less than a mile from the Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line.
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The Metra located in McCormick Plaza takes Prairie District residents to and from the Loop.
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Kaitie Lamb
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Kaitie Lamb
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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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Chicago Midway International

16 min drive

Bus

Michigan & 18th Street

Bus

Michigan & Cullerton

Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Prairie District US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 7 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: CAP Index

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$385,000
Median Single Family Price
$2,950,000
Median Townhouse Price
$762,500
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$390,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$270,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$323
Number of Homes for Sale
18
Last 12 months Home Sales
94
Months of Supply
2.30
Median List Price
$381,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
2%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
328
Median Year Built
2004
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
9,243
Significantly above the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,809
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,265
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
817
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742

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Open Houses

  • Sunday, May 26
    1 - 2:30pm

    1801 S Michigan Ave Unit 701, Chicago, IL 60616

    $389,900

    • 2 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 1,150 Sq Ft
    • 1801 S Michigan Ave
    • Unit 701
    • New 3 days ago

    Opn hs canceled 5/26 Rarely available! TOP FLOOR fully renovated corner unit with expansive NW views. This renovated home features 9ft windows, 15ft ceilings, historic exposed brick & real hardwood floors. Open concept kitchen & dining provides ample space for a large seating area, as well as

    Cory Tanzer Option Realty Group LTD

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Distribution of Home Values

Homes for Sale

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Average Home Value




Recently Sold Homes

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,178
Median Age
40
Population Density
53 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.9%
On par with the national average
24.4%
Population over 65
9.9%
Below the national average
18%

Finances

Median Household Income
$116,027
Significantly above the national average
$70,967
Average Household Income
$138,222

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.8%
College Graduates
79.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
53.2%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
85.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
40''

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

91 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

82 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

77 / 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.

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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.