Springfield is the state capital of Illinois and was the home of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the U.S., from 1837 to 1861. It’s also the largest city in Sangamon County, with a population of 114,394. The city was established in the late 1810s by European settlers. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site, and the Lincoln Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery are all located in Springfield.
If you’re planning on moving to Springfield, the city has a variety of different neighborhoods to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a neighborhood that is family-friendly, upscale, safe, or affordable, you can find the perfect one that checks off all your boxes in Springfield. Defining what the best neighborhood is will vary for different people, depending on their wants, needs, and budget. You might want to be near the city center and all the action and nightlife, or you might prefer a quiet suburban neighborhood away from all the hustle and bustle of the city. Good schools nearby might be at the top of your list, or easy access to parks, recreational areas, and outdoor activities. Springfield is a great place to live with plenty of good neighborhoods, and you’ll find the right one for you, regardless of what type of neighborhood you’re searching for.
Here are the top 8 Springfield neighborhoods:
Leland Grove – One of the Safest Neighborhoods in Springfield
- Population: 1,336
- Median household income: $123,810
- Median home price: $235,100
- Homes for sale in Leland Grove
- Leland Grove Crime: 73% less crime than Illinois average
The Leland Grove crime rates are 97% lower than the Illinois average, and there is no violent crime, making it one of the safest neighborhoods in Springfield. The neighborhood has only 67 crimes per 100,000 people, and residents have a 1 in 1486 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.
Besides being quiet and safe, Leland Grove is very close to downtown Springfield. It’s only a short, 6-minute commute, yet this older neighborhood retains a rural feel. Most residents own their homes in Leland Grove, and many have children. The under-18 population is about 21%. Leland Grove is close to bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Sapori Pizzeria and Sunny China House are 2 highly-rated places to eat in Leland Grove. The public schools near Leland Grove are very good, including Springfield High, Iles Elementary, Lincoln Magnet, Owen Marsh Elementary, and Benjamin Franklin Middle.
The cost of living in Leland Grove is the same as the national average. The cost of goods and services is 9% lower, and the cost of housing is 8% higher, making Leland Grove a relatively inexpensive place to live as well as a safe one.
Enos Park – Most Diverse Neighborhood
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- Population: 1,560
- Median household income: $54,877
- Median home price: $102,625
- Homes for sale in Enos Park
- Enos Park Crime: 28% less crime than Illinois average
Enos Park is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Springfield. Just north of Downtown, this is a great Springfield community for those who work in the downtown area. Here, you’ll find that the homes look as if you stepped back in time. They are Victorian style, and many are extremely old, historic homes. In fact, the majority of them have been or are in the process of being remodeled.
Enos Park is a very safe place to live. Though you have a mixture of affluent and lower socioeconomic class individuals, it’s a quiet spot for families and young professionals to reside.
Trevi Gardens – Best Springfield Neighborhood for Families
- Population: 3,616
- Median household income: $69,046
- Median home price: $185,000
- Homes for sale in Trevi Gardens
- Trevi Gardens Crime: 79% less crime than Illinois average
If you’re looking for a master planned community in Springfield, you’ll find it in Trevi Gardens. This neighborhood has over 250 homes and was first developed in 1978. South of downtown, Trevi Gardens is an affordable and safe place to live in Springfield while still being close to downtown.
Trevi Gardens has a beautiful hiking trail as well as a pond inside the community. This is one of the few neighborhoods that has an HOA community that governs it. With friendly neighbors who can rely on the HOA for help (they’re often known for helping older residents shovel their driveways!), this is the best neighborhood for families with kids.
Grandview – Affordable Living in Springfield
- Population: 1,351
- Median household income: $47,321
- Median home price: $66,300
- Homes for sale in Grandview
- Grandview Crime: 18% less crime than Illinois average
The neighborhood of Grandview is made up of older, smaller homes and has a cost of living 15% lower than the national average. Housing is very affordable, 44% lower than the national average. Grandview is also a safe place to live, with crime rates 15% lower than the U.S. average. The median age in the city is 37.6, making it a great place to live for younger families and singles. Grandview has 1 A-rated school, Iles Elementary, and 2 B-rated schools, Lincoln Magnet and Springfield Ball Charter.
Grandview is conveniently located only 10 minutes northeast of downtown Springfield. Renters make up 35% of the population in Grandview, and an apartment in Grandview will cost about $919 a month. So, there are many options for renters, and rents are inexpensive.
Downtown Springfield – Best LGTBQ+ Springfield Neighborhood
- Population: 6,129
- Median household income: $38,504
- Median home price: $85,000
- Homes for sale in Downtown Springfield
- Downtown Springfield Crime: 3% less crime than Illinois average
Downtown Springfield is one of the best neighborhoods for young professionals and those who work downtown. It’s also a great and thriving gay community with lots of resources for those who belong to the LBTQ+ community. Whether you’re looking to purchase a home or rent an apartment or townhome, there are plenty of options for you downtown.
Downtown is extremely safe. The neighborhood saw a 10% decrease in violent crimes in 2022 and a 15% decrease in property crimes. Springfield is already considered a safe city, so you don’t have anything to worry about while living in downtown Springfield. Many people in Downtown rent, and homes don’t go for sale very often.
Toronto – Closest Neighborhood to Colleges for Students
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- Population: 1,052
- Median household income: $43,551
- Median home price: $123,000
- Homes for sale in Toronto
- Toronto Crime: 32% less crime than Illinois average
Toronto is a small neighborhood with a nice mix of historic and new homes. The streets are clean and lined with trees, giving the town a cozy, park-like feel. Toronto is located just by the University of Illinois, Springfield, and Lincoln Land Community College.
Toronto is also very safe and affordable. Crime rates are 87% lower than the Illinois average, and the cost of living is 2% lower. This quiet neighborhood is perfect for professors and those who may commute to the colleges in the area.
Jerome – Ideal Springfield Neighborhood for Young Professionals
- Population: 2,049
- Median household income: $52,422
- Median home price: $102,000
- Homes for sale in Jerome
- Jerome Crime: 28% less crime than Illinois average
Jerome is a great place for young professionals because of the job opportunities, the safety of the neighborhood, and the excellent public transportation. Lots of restaurants dot the area for young professionals who prefer to eat out, and the prices are affordable. Try Lucy’s Place, a popular café, Osaka Japanese Restaurant for amazing food, or
Little Saigon Restaurant. For those looking to rent, rental prices average $838 for an apartment in Jerome, which is 7% below the average in the state and below most areas in Springfield. The commute to downtown from Jerome is only about 8 minutes, a plus for young professionals working downtown.
You’ll feel safe in Jerome as the crime rates are 57% lower than the Illinois average. It’s also an affordable neighborhood, which is especially good for young professionals just starting their careers. The cost of living in Jerome is 10% lower than the Illinois average, and if you’re looking to buy a home in the neighborhood, real estate prices are 43% lower than the state average. Rental prices in Jerome are 7% lower than the Illinois average
Southern View – A Vibrant Neighborhood for Students and Singles
- Population: 1,642
- Median household income: $47,244
- Median home price: $89,100
- Homes for sale in Southern View
- Southern View Crime: 42% less crime than Illinois average
Southern View is situated just about 2 miles south of downtown Springfield and less than 3 miles from the University of Illinois Springfield. The town has plenty of bars, restaurants, and nightlife for singles. Rents are inexpensive there as well. The average rent in Southern View is $883 a month. The Southern View neighborhood is young, vibrant, and close to all the amenities of the city. The community park spans 29 acres, with 2 baseball fields, a soccer field, a roller hockey arena, a 1.6-acre pond, 2 play areas, and three covered areas for parties and casual get-togethers. The park is a perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of school and work to relax and recharge your batteries.
For those worried about the cost of living in southern View, it’s 14% lower than the national average. Crime is also very low, 55% below the U.S. average, so singles and students can feel safe in the neighborhood.
Map of Springfield Neighborhoods
These are just a sampling of the best neighborhoods in Springfield for you to choose from. If you’re ready to move to Springfield, you’ll be sure to find the right community for you, whether you’re looking for a big home in an affluent neighborhood, a great neighborhood for families, a place where you can enjoy the nightlife, bars, and restaurants, or a quiet suburban neighborhood that’s within minutes of downtown and all the amenities Springfield has to offer. Springfield has the perfect neighborhood for you.
You’ll also want the best movers in Springfield to take care of your move for you, so you can concentrate on all the other things you need to do for your move to Springfield. Federal Companies has been in business for 107 years and has the experience you can trust. Give us a call at 800-747-4100 and receive a free quote today or fill out our convenient online form!
