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Single Family ResidenceResidential
$1,090,254$441 / ft²
TopHap EstimateOur estimate of what this home would sell for today, based on nearby sales, the home's size and features, and local price trends. It is a starting point, not an appraisal.· confidence 93How well the pricing models agreed with each other on this home. Higher means the estimate rests on stronger, more consistent data.· as of Oct 21, 2026
Last sold for $650,000 on May 9, 2011

542 FOREST AVE

EVANSTON, IL 60202
4
Beds
3
Baths
2,475 ft²
Living AreaTotal finished area of the structures, from county records. Some counties include shared space like hallways or a building gym, so it may not match a listing.
0.17 ac
Lot SizeThe size of the land the home sits on, from county records.
1923
Year BuiltThe year the home was originally built, according to county records.
1
StoriesHow many floors the home has above ground.
8
RoomsThe total room count in county records. Counties differ on which rooms they count, so compare it loosely.
2
ParkingThe number of parking spaces on the property, including the garage.

Valuation

$1.1M
$1M low$1.2M high
Last SaleThe most recent sale price and date from the recorded deed. Transfers between family members or companies may not reflect market value.$650,000 · May 9, 2011

Tax & Assessment

Property TaxThe property tax billed for this tax year. It usually pays for schools, roads, and local services.$17,354 (2023)
Assessed ValueThe value the county assigns to this home to calculate property tax. It is often lower than what the home would sell for.$96,001 (2025)
Assessed LandThe share of the county's assessed value that comes from the land itself, not the buildings.$26,448
Assessed ImprovementsThe share of the county's assessed value that comes from the buildings and other structures on the land.$69,553
Previous AssessedThe county's assessed value from the year before, useful for seeing how the assessment changed.$75,000
Assessor Market ValueThe county assessor's own opinion of market value. It is separate from our estimate and updates on the county's schedule.$960,010

Climate Risk

Overall riskThe average of the five hazard scores below, on a 0 to 100 scale. Higher means greater projected risk over the coming decades.34
1
FloodProjected flooding risk from rivers, heavy rain, and storm surge, scored 0 to 100. Higher is riskier.
1
WildfireProjected wildfire risk, scored 0 to 100, based on how much land burns in a typical year. Higher is riskier.
67
HeatProjected heat risk, scored 0 to 100, based on how many extremely hot days a year are expected. Higher is riskier.
68
StormProjected risk from heavy rainstorms, scored 0 to 100, based on how often extreme rainfall is expected. Higher is riskier.
33
DroughtProjected water shortage risk, scored 0 to 100. Higher means more strain on the local water supply.

Scores 0–100; higher = greater projected risk.

Property Facts

Property TypeThe broad category the county puts this property in, such as residential or commercial.Single Family Residence
StyleThe architectural style of the home, such as ranch or colonial.Ranch
CountyCOOK
Effective Year BuiltAn adjusted build year that accounts for condition and major remodels. A big renovation can make a home count as newer than it is.1924
Lot (acres)The size of the land the home sits on, from county records.0.17
ConstructionThe main material the home's frame and walls are built from.Masonry/Concrete Masonry Units (Cmus)
RoofThe main material covering the roof, such as asphalt shingle or tile.Asphalt
HeatingThe type of heating system in the home.Yes
CoolingThe type of cooling or air conditioning in the home.Central
FireplaceWhether the home has a fireplace, and what kind.Yes
GarageWhether the property has a garage, and details like whether it is attached to the home.Garage, Detached
PoolWhether the property has a pool, and what kind, such as in-ground.No

Transaction History(4)

Sales and refinances filed with the county for this home. Not every transfer is a normal sale, so check the type before comparing prices.

Assigned SchoolsThe public schools this address is zoned for. Boundaries change, so confirm with the district before you count on it.

E
Lincoln Elementary SchoolA-
Elementary · Grades KG–5 · 0.5 mi
M
Nichols Middle SchoolA-
Middle · Grades 6–8 · 0.8 mi
H
Evanston Township High SchoolA-
High · Grades 9–12 · 1.9 mi

District: Evanston Community Consolidated School District 65

Neighborhood · ZIP 60202These are comparison scores, not percentages. 100 equals the national average, so 150 means about 50% above average.

CrimeLocal crime compared with the rest of the country, where 100 is average. It reflects things like population density, income, and how crime gets reported.88
Air pollutionOverall air pollution compared with the rest of the country, where 100 is average. Lower is cleaner.109
EarthquakeEarthquake risk and likely building damage compared with the rest of the country, where 100 is average. Scores can run far above 100.39

Index scale: 100 = US average (tick). Lower is better.

Homes occupiedThe share of homes here that someone lives in. The rest sit empty, including vacation and for-sale homes.94%
Bachelor's or higherThe share of adults 25 and older whose highest degree is a bachelor's degree.28%
Poverty rateThe share of people whose household income falls below the federal poverty line, which varies by family size.8.0%
UnemploymentThe share of men 16 and older who are out of work and actively looking. Only men are counted in this figure.1.7%
PopulationHow many people live in this area.33,134
DensityPeople per square mile. Higher numbers mean a more crowded, urban area.8,248 / mi²
Median incomeThe middle household income here — half of households earn more, half earn less.$102,510
Average incomeThe average household income. It runs higher than the median when a few high earners pull it up.$141,555
Average tempThe average temperature here across a full year.49°F
Annual precipHow much rain and melted snow falls here in a typical year.37 in
SunshineThe share of daylight hours that get direct sun in a typical year, counting cloud cover.54%

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Data by ATTOM. Valuations are automated estimates, not appraisals. Photos from Google Street View and may not depict the current property state.

How this home compares

542 Forest Ave measured against every home in its neighborhood, its ZIP code and its county, using county assessor records refreshed nightly. A home can stand out in one of those areas and look ordinary in another, because each one holds a different mix of homes.

  • Worth more than 96% of homes in Cook County
  • Costs more per square foot than 93% of homes in Cook County
  • Bigger than 82% of homes in Evanston 60202
  • Older than 80% of homes in Cook County

What homes are worth in Evanston 60202

Each bar is how many homes fall in that price range. The marker is this home.

This home
$165K$1.8M

This home is worth more than 93% of homes in Evanston 60202.

How it measures up in Evanston 60202

The dot is this home. The mark in the middle is the typical home in Evanston 60202.

Estimated value$1,090,254
CheaperTypical $401,281Pricier

Pricier than 93% of homes nearby

Price per ft²$441
CheaperTypical $307Pricier

Pricier than 91% of homes nearby

Living area2,475 ft²
SmallerTypical 1,409 ft²Bigger

Bigger than 82% of homes nearby

Lot size0.17 ac
SmallerTypical 0.18 acBigger

Bigger than 45% of homes nearby

Year built1923
OlderTypical 1951Newer

Newer than 27% of homes nearby

How 542 Forest Ave ranks against every home in each area.
MeasureThis homeEvanston 60202Cook County
Estimated valuepricier than$1,090,25493% of homes96% of homes
Price per ft²pricier than$44191% of homes93% of homes
Living areabigger than2,475 ft²82% of homes81% of homes
Lot sizebigger than0.17 ac45% of homes54% of homes
Year builtnewer than192327% of homes20% of homes

About 542 Forest Ave

How much is 542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL worth?

The TopHap Estimate for 542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL is $1,090,254 as of Oct 21, 2026. The likely range is $1,012,905 to $1,167,603. The estimate is modelled from recorded sales, assessments and the property's own characteristics — it is not an appraisal.

When did 542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL last sell?

542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL last sold on May 9, 2011 for $650,000, according to the county's recorded deed. TopHap holds 3 recorded sales for this parcel.

How big is 542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL?

542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,475 square feet of living space and a 0.17-acre lot.

When was 542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL built?

542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL was built in 1923, making it 103 years old. It is a ranch home. The building has 1 story.

What schools serve 542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL?

542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL is assigned to Lincoln Elementary School (elementary), rated A-; Nichols Middle School (middle), rated A-; Evanston Township High School (high), rated A-. All sit in Evanston Community Consolidated School District 65. Attendance boundaries change — confirm with the district before relying on an assignment.

How does 542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL compare to other homes in Evanston 60202?

Among the 9,768 homes in Evanston 60202, it is worth more than 93% of them ($1,090,254 against a typical $401,281), its price per square foot is higher than 91% of them ($441 against a typical $307), it is bigger than 82% of them (2,475 ft² against a typical 1,409 ft²), its lot is bigger than 45% of them (0.17 ac against a typical 0.18 ac) and it is newer than 27% of them (1923 against a typical 1951). Measured against all of Cook County, it is worth more than 96% of homes there. These shares are recounted nightly from the full county assessor record for each area, not from active listings.

What are the property taxes on 542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL?

The 2023 property tax bill for 542 Forest Ave, Evanston, IL was $17,354. The county assessed it at $96,001.

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