Elmwood Park, IL Real Estate & Community Snapshot

Elmwood Park is a vibrant village just outside of Chicago, known for its tree-lined streets, mix of housing styles, and strong community pride. Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or simply staying up to date with the local market, here’s a breakdown of what’s happening in Elmwood Park’s real estate scene and community life.

Housing Market Overview

Elmwood Park is home to about 23,369 residents with roughly 9,094 homes and apartments. The median home value is $380,121, which is significantly higher than the national average.

Housing Types

• Single-family homes: 51.4%

• Large apartment complexes/high-rises: 30.6%

• Duplexes and small apartments: 15.8%

• Row houses/attached homes: 2%

Many of the homes here were built in the post-World War II era (1940s–1960s), making up about half of all housing stock. Another quarter of homes were built before 1939, giving the area plenty of historic charm.

Appreciation & Home Value Trends

Elmwood Park has shown consistent appreciation over the years:

• 10-year average annual appreciation: 6.16%

• Last 12 months: +10.28%, outperforming over 84% of U.S. cities

• Latest quarter: +2.27% (about 9.38% annualized growth)

This steady growth makes Elmwood Park a strong market compared to many Illinois communities.

Community & Lifestyle

Elmwood Park is a commuter-friendly suburb with convenient access to Chicago, though average commute times run about 34 minutes, which is longer than the national average.

A growing number of residents—10.3%—work remotely, a figure higher than national norms. Education levels are solid, with nearly 30% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The per capita income is $38,459, with an estimated $153,836 for a family of four.

Schools in Elmwood Park

Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401 serves local families, covering PreK through 12th grade.

• District grade (Niche): B

• Student-teacher ratio: 14:1

• Graduation rate: ~86%

Test Scores

• Math proficiency: 16% (state avg. ~27%)

• Reading proficiency: 27% (state avg. ~30%)

School Highlights

• Elementary: John Mills and Elmwood Elementary both rated B with ~13:1 ratios.

• High School: Elmwood Park High earned a B+ on Niche, ranking #198 in Illinois, though test scores sit below state averages.

Safety & Crime

Like any urban-adjacent suburb, Elmwood Park has its challenges:

• Total crime rate: ~12 per 1,000 residents (higher than state average, but lower than many similarly sized U.S. towns)

• Violent crime: 1.2 per 1,000 (about a 1 in 835 chance)

• Property crime: 10.5 per 1,000 (about a 1 in 95 chance)

Overall, Elmwood Park is considered reasonably safe compared to peer communities of its size.

Final Takeaway

Elmwood Park offers a balanced mix of affordability (compared to some North Shore and western suburbs), strong appreciation, and a wide variety of home styles. It attracts buyers looking for close proximity to the city, a strong sense of community, and steady property value growth.

If you’re thinking of selling your home in Elmwood Park, now may be a great time to take advantage of recent appreciation trends. And if you’re looking to buy, Elmwood Park still offers great opportunities compared to many neighboring markets.

📞 Frank Campobasso
Century 21 Circle
773-425-6265
🌐 camposellshouses.com

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. The data, statistics, and insights provided here are based on publicly available online sources such as Niche, GreatSchools, Public School Review, and NeighborhoodScout. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy, numbers and rankings may change over time. Readers are encouraged to verify details independently or consult with a real estate professional.