Austin-Galewood Neighborhood

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The community of Austin is Chicago’s largest neighborhood located on the west side of the city and only minutes away from the Loop and Lake Shore Drive. The neighborhood features a variety of older and new homes on wide tree-lined boulevards, spacious public parks, and great public transportation. Austin is an ideal place for home buyers to find good real estate opportunities and enjoy Chicago public amenities in a revitalized historic neighborhood.

Location

Located on the west side of Chicago’s Loop.

The neighborhood street boundaries are Cicero Avenue on the east and Austin Boulevard on the west, extending south from Roosevelt Road to North Avenue.

Other communities surrounding around Austin are Oak Park, Lawndale, Berwyn, Elmwood Park, Cicero, and Humboldt Park.

Information

Chicago’s largest neighborhood

Demographics
White        4.82%
Black       89.7%
Hispanic   4.12%
Asian       0.55%
Other       0.86%

Median Income
$33,663

Average Home Value
$104,217

Average Year Homes Built
1946

Neighborhood Zip Codes
60644, 60635, 60639, 60651, 60707

Neighborhood Area Code
773

Total Population
117,527

Source: US Census 2000

History

In 1865, Henry W. Austin, a businessman and real estate developer, purchased 470 acres to establish a temperance community. The area was originally known as Austinville and was part of the Township of Cicero. Austin’s goal was to create a community for home ownership opportunity with public amenities like wide, tree-lined streets and parks. Within a few years, the village population grew to 1,000 residents and by 1870 the first town hall which was modeled after Philadelphia’s Independence Hall was erected in Austin.

A political group known as the “Austinites” was responsible for the village’s annexation to Chicago in 1899. Some of the earliest Austin residents were working middle class Germans and Scandinavians, which later was followed by Irish and Italian families. Each ethnic group contributed to the area’s development and built several historic churches was still stand today.

Real Estate

Austin neighborhood real-estate offers a great variety of affordable housing options for home buyers. The area features attractive Victorian homes with wrap-around porches, traditional bungalows, vintage and modern condominiums, including single-family homes and multi-units. Many of the properties include front lawns and wrought-iron fences on tree-lined streets.

Transportation

Access to public transportation for Austin neighborhood residents is easy. The community is served by CTA’s Green Line “L” and city bus routes:

•   85 Central (Central & Corcoran)
•   20 Madison 91 Austin (Austin & Corcoran/South Blvd)
•   66 Chicago (Chicago & Central)
•   57 Laramie (Laramie & Lake)

Austin community has a Walk Score of 72 ranking the Chicago neighborhood as “very walkable”.

Plus, residents have access to the Eisenhower Expressway (I-90) linking the Austin area to downtown Chicago within minutes.

Schools

Austin neighborhood is served by the Chicago Public Schools system. There are several elementary and charter schools including three high schools within the Austin community.

Elementary Schools:
Armstrong, L Elementary Math & Science 5345 W Congress Pkwy 773-534-6365
Brunson Math & Science Specialty Elem 932 N Central Ave 773-534-6025
Clark M Middle School 5101 W Harrison St 773-534-6250
Depriest Elementary School 139 S Parkside Ave 773-534-6800
Douglass, F Junior High Academy 543 N Waller Ave 773-534-6176
Ellington Elementary School 224 N Central Ave 773-534-6361
Emmet Elementary School 5500 W Madison St 773-534-6050
Hay Elementary Community Academy 1018 N Laramie Ave773-534-6000
Howe Elementary School 720 N Lorel Ave 773-534-6060
Key Elementary School 517 N Parkside Ave 773-534-6230
Kipp Ascend Charter Elementary School 1616 S Avers Door 8 773-521-4399
Leland Elem School 5221 W Congress Pkwy 773-534-6340
Lewis Elementary School 1431 N Leamington Ave 773-534-3060
May Elementary Community Academy 512 S Lavergne Ave 773-534-6140
Mcnair Elementary School 4820 W Walton St 773-534-8980
Nash Elementary School 4837 W Erie St 773-534-6125
Spencer Elementary Math & Science Academy 214 N Lavergne Ave 773-534-6150
Young Elementary School 1434 N Parkside Ave 773-534-6200

High Schools:
Austin Community High School 231 N Pine Ave 773-534-6300
Clark Academy Prep Magnet High School 5101 W Harrison St 773-534-6250
Douglass Academy High School 543 N Waller Ave 773-534-6176

Nightlife

Avenue Ale House (825 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park 708-848-2801). Enjoy an evening with friends at Avenue Ale House located only a few miles from the Austin neighborhood in Oak Park. The Ale House features a full service bar with a wide selection of imported and domestic beers, microbrews, and ales. Watch your favorite sports team on one of their many satellite Plasma TVs or just hang out and have a few drinks on their outdoor rooftop café/bar. And if you get hungry, they have an excellent menu offering delicious appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and seafood! Open seven days a week and major credit cars are accepted.

FitzGerald's (6615 Roosevelt Rd Berwyn, IL 708-788-2118). One of the best little music clubs in the Chicagoland area, Fitzgerald’s is located only a few miles south of Austin in the community of Berwyn. The club features all types of great music, from blues to bluegrass, country to alt-county, jazz, and rock. The neighborhood venue is very casual and comfortable with no dress code, drink minimum, or reserved seating. So get there early and grab a seat at the bar! Open Tue-Sat from 7pm to 2am, and Sun from 5pm to 2am. Major credits are accepted and if you run out of cash there’s an ATM machine available.

Entertainment

Silent Film Society of Chicago (4050 N Milwaukee Ave, 773-205-SFSC). If you’re interested in supporting the arts, the Silent Film Society of Chicago is a worthwhile organization. The Society’s mission is to increase public awareness for the preservation of silent films. A $35 Individual membership includes discount tickets to silent film screenings, a subscription to their newsletter, and invitations to their events and presentations. Visit their website for more information and for their upcoming silent film screenings and annual film festival.

Dusable Museum of African American History (740 East 56th Place, 773-947-0600). Chicago’s Dusable Museum features a great historical collection of African and African American artifacts. The Museum offers annual exhibits, lectures, workshops, and many other special events for adults and children. Open Tue-Sat 10am to 5pm, and Sun 12 pm to 5 p.m. The Museum is closed on Mondays between June 1st through January 2nd and on Labor Day. Admission $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, $1 for children 6-12, and free for children under 6.

Restaurants

Quench (5815 W Madison, 773-287-FOOD). If you’re tired fast food, bar food, and greasy food, and you’re looking for something a little healthier, then try Quench. The restaurant menu does not offer pork or beef, but instead you’ll find heart-healthy turkey burgers, turkey polish, veggie gyros, a variety of salads, and vegetarian entrees. Catering services available. Open Tue-Sun 11am- 8pm.

MacArthur's (5412 W Madison St, 773-261-2316). MacArthur’s is great family restaurant that offers fine southern cuisine like homemade friend chicken, baked turkey legs, smothered pork chops, meatloaf, and much more. Leave room for some delicious peach cobbler and sweet potato pie. Open daily from 11am to 9pm for dine-in or carryout. ATM is available

Festivals/Parks

Austin neighborhood offers a variety of community events and festivals all year round. Just minutes away from the Loop and Grant Park, Austin residents enjoy some Chicago’s major festivals like the Taste of Chicago, Chicago Air and Water Show and Chicago Gospel Music Festival. Plus, Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory the city’s largest conservatory is nearby offering many free shows and programs to the Austin community.

We specialize in these Chicago neighborhoods;

Belmont cragin area, Jefferson Park, Hermosa Area, Albany Park, Austin Area, Humbolt Park, Logan Square, Rogers Park, Irving Park, among others.

Call today, we can help make your dreams come true