Edgewater

Edgewater is bordered by Foster Avenue on the south, Devon Avenue on the north, Ravenswood on the west, and Lake Michigan on the east.

Welcome to Edgewater

History

Located on Chicago’s North Side, Edgewater is bordered by Foster Avenue on the south, Devon Avenue on the north, Ravenswood on the west, and Lake Michigan on the east. The thriving community boasts a diverse and well-educated population (over 50% have achieved a Bachelor’s Degree or higher) as well as a multitude of opportunities for recreation and entertainment.
 
Edgewater was developed in the last decades of the 19th century to be the summer residence for the city’s elite. During that time, developers bought up farms and clear cut the forest in what was then Lake View Township. As a result, the population swelled from 2000 residents to over 45,000. To secure access to public services, this area was annexed by Chicago in 1889.
 
By the turn of the 20th century, Edgewater was one of Chicago’s most exclusive neighborhoods. The building boom reached its zenith in 1926 and the population grew to such an extent that developers continued to expand the neighborhood and renamed a portion of it Uptown (which still exists today.)
 
As the suburbs became more appealing in the 1950s, the affluence of the area decreased as middle and upper class families left the city: disrepair and crime soon followed. Simultaneously, Lake Shore Drive was extended to Hollywood Avenue and highrise development along the lakefront continued almost unabated into the 1970s.
 
In 1980, the Chicago City Council and local business owners planned a revival for the community. Edgewater was officially separated from Uptown and businesses returned to the community. Older buildings and homes were refurbished in an attempt to regain some of their past charm. Since 2000, there have been several new additions to the neighborhood including: The Clarovista, Edgewater Glen, and Catalpa Gardens condominium developments.
 

Worth Seeing / Things to Do

According to the Chicago Park District, “Edgewater contains several beaches that residents enjoy during the late spring, summer, and early autumn. Chicago's largest park, Lincoln Park, stretches south from Edgewater for seven miles along the waterfront, almost to downtown.”
 
Andersonville, which is a part of Edgewater, was settled in large part by Swedish immigrants and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. The contributions of these Swedish immigrants is reflected in the large number of Swedish businesses peppered throughout the neighborhood. The Swedish American Museum gives visitors a chance to fully explore how this group of immigrants contributed to the development of the area. The area features a thriving theater scene - the City Lit Theater and the Red Twist Theater are just a few worth mentioning.
 
As far as gastronomic choices are concerned, visitors and residents are spoiled for choice. Whether a delicious slice at Callos Pizzeria, some delectable huaraches at Huaraches Dona Chio, or  the delicacies at Ethiopian Diamond, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
 

Schools

Four of the neighborhood’s elementary schools:  Hayt, Swift, Peirce and Goudy, are noteworthy for their top ranking by Chicago Public Schools. Secondary education is provided by Senn High School which, according to US News and World Report, is “... is ranked 144th within Illinois. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Senn High School is 53%.”
 
Several Catholic schools also in the neighborhood include Northside Catholic Academy's primary school campus at St. Gertrude church.
 

Transportation

The Chicago Transit Authority fulfills most of the transportation needs of Edgewater residents with the Red Line (which is part of the CTA’s rail network). The neighborhood has four stations: Berwyn, Bryn Mawr, Thorndale, and Granville.
 
The Chicago Transit Authority also operates numerous bus routes which connect the neighborhood to downtown Chicago via North Michigan Avenue.
 

From Redfin:

  • Walk Score® 91 / 100 : Walker’s Paradise
  • Transit Score® 73 / 100:  Excellent Transit
  • Bike Score® 84 / 100: Very Bikeable
 

Real Estate

Prices in Edgewater can range from $100,000 for a studio condominium to $1.6 million for a 5 bedroom mansion. With prices constantly changing, it is best to call an SGR agent for pricing guidance.
 
 

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Demographics and Employment Data for Edgewater, IL

Edgewater has 26,056 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Edgewater do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 51,245 people call Edgewater home. The population density is 68,803.609 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

51,245

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

39

Median Age

51.2 / 48.8%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
26,056

Total Households

2

Average Household Size

$45,615

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Around Edgewater, IL

There's plenty to do around Edgewater, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

72
Very Walkable
Walking Score
85
Very Bikeable
Bike Score
73
Excellent Transit
Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Athena Board Game Cafe, Jerry Mikutis, and Stretch Your Limits.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dining 2.15 miles 7 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 3.35 miles 12 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 4.42 miles 7 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 1.88 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 2.88 miles 10 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 4.56 miles 9 reviews 5/5 stars

LISTINGS & SALES

For Sale
Sold
Pending
Under Contract
Active Under Contract
Coming Soon
Pocket Listing

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