Trick-or-Treat Housing Index: Top 5 Chicago Neighborhoods

Due to popular demand, we’ve decided to extend the inaugural Zillow Trick-or-Treat Housing Index to the Windy City, Chicago.

So, if you’re taking your kids out this Saturday, here are the best Chicago neighborhoods on our list. Please check the methodology below to see how we came up with this list.

Top 5 Chicago Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat

1. Bridgeport
2. Albany Park
3. Logan Square
4. Rogers Park
5. Lake View

Methodology

There is a common belief that wealthy neighborhoods are the Holy Grail for harvesting the most Halloween candy. However, to provide a more holistic approach to Halloween trick-or-treating, the Zillow Trick-or-Treat Housing Index was calculated using four equally weighted data variables: Zillow Home Value Index, population density, Walk Score, and local crime data. Based on those variables, this Index represents neighborhoods that will provide the most candy, with the least walking, and minimal safety risks.

Halloween Hot Spots

Bridgeport, the #1 Chicago neighborhood to trick-or-treat, is a traditional South Side community with good schools, an easy commute, and friendly faces. “You drive down the street, and you’ve got people waving hello,” says a Bridgeport local. “You may not know their names, but you’ve seen them all your life. It’s really a family neighborhood.” Bridgeport has long been one of the city’s political hotbeds, having been home to five of Chicago’s 45 mayors. In fact, current Mayor Richard Daley was also born and raised in Bridgeport. The Zillow Home Value Index for Bridgeport is $295,600, up 4.9% year-over-year.

Albany Park is one of the most ethically diverse areas of Chicago, and the entire the US; residents speak an estimated 25 different languages.  Such cultural diversity is sure to bring many creative costumes, cultures, and candies to trick-or-treaters. Low crime and high walkability are notable features of Albany Park. The ‘hood is also notorious for being the home of the former governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich- that ought to spark some good costume ideas.

The Logan Square neighborhood community is centered on the public square that serves as its namesake. Logan Square proper houses the 3-way intersection of Milwaukee Avenue, Logan Boulevard and Kedzie Boulevard. The Logan Square Chamber is hosting the 14th District Haunted House. Admission is free! Logan Square ranked in the top 30% in each Index category, making it an overall great place to spend Halloween.

Rogers Park is a lakefront neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago. Rogers Park parents are hosting “Halloween in Rogers Park” in Jarvis Square on Saturday from 4-8 PM, complete with face painting, a giant spider web, and a princess lip gloss station. Housing prices are down in the neighborhood about 17% year-over-year.  So, hop on the Metra and check out the neighborhood, and while you are going door to door, keep an eye for some scary good real estate deals.

Lake View rounds out the top five list as the ‘hood with the highest Zillow Home Value Index ($365,500) and great walkability. The young neighborhood is especially fun for “big kids,” with great dining, drinking, nightlife, and baseball.  Lake View has some beautiful homes, and there is sure to be good candy for the kids and good real estate eye candy for adults.  So grab your Bugaboo stroller and have a great time trick or treating.

See the Zillow Trick-or-Treat Housing Index for:

• Top 5 Los Angeles Neighborhoods
• Top 5 Seattle Neighborhoods
• Top 5 Boston Neighborhoods
• Top 5 San Francisco Neighborhoods

(Photo of Sasha and President Barack Obama on a Halloween walk in Chicago last year, courtesy Chicago Sun-Times)