McKenzie Square is the next stop in my Welcome to Wilmette: Neighborhood by Neighborhood series. If you want to walk to elementary school, the train and downtown Wilmette, it belongs on your list.
What Is McKenzie Square?
McKenzie Square is one of Wilmette's unofficial neighborhood names. It isn't an official village designation. It's named for McKenzie Elementary School, which sits in the middle of it.
That's one of the things I find interesting about Wilmette: many of the neighborhood names people use every day, like McKenzie Square, Kenilworth Gardens and the CAGE, are informal.
McKenzie Square Boundaries
Because the name is unofficial, boundaries vary by source. The most common definition:
- North: Lake Avenue
- South: Wilmette Avenue
- West: Ridge Road
- East: Green Bay Road
The McKenzie Elementary attendance area is larger than McKenzie Square. It extends north of Lake Avenue, south of Wilmette Avenue and east to Green Bay Road. So a home can be in the McKenzie School area without being in McKenzie Square.
Because McKenzie Elementary sits between Lake and Wilmette avenues, kids who live in McKenzie Square don't have to cross a major street to get to school.
McKenzie Square Homes
- Lots: typically about 50 by 160 feet
- Bedrooms: most homes have 4 to 5 bedrooms
- Age: most homes date from the first half of the 20th century
- Styles: Georgians, Foursquares and farmhouses (many with front porches), plus Victorians, bungalows and Cape Cods
- Garages: most homes have garages off the alley rather than driveways in front
- New construction: some smaller older homes have been torn down and replaced with new construction
Highland Avenue, Washington Avenue, and 16th Street are some of Wilmette's brick streets.
Nearby, Oak Circle in the McKenzie neighborhood, which I covered in Day 3 of my walking-every-street-in-Wilmette series, is a small historic-district street of Prairie School and Craftsman bungalows.
McKenzie Square Schools
McKenzie Square is in Wilmette Public Schools District 39. Children typically attend:
- McKenzie Elementary School (K–4), 649 Prairie Avenue
- Highcrest Middle School (5–6)
- Wilmette Junior High School (7–8)
- New Trier High School (9–12)
McKenzie had 461 students in the 2024–2025 school year, according to federal education data.
District 39 notes that its attendance map is approximate and the district has the final say on placement, so confirm any address with the District 39 school locator.
Walkability
From McKenzie Square you can walk to:
- Downtown Wilmette shops and restaurants
- The Wilmette Metra station
- The Wilmette Public Library
- Howard Park, an 8.7-acre park at 17th Street with open space and ball fields, marked by the cupola from the old Howard School building
- St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1747 Lake Avenue
- McKenzie Elementary School
- Mallinckrodt Park, just across Lake Avenue
What to Think About Before You Buy
- Home age. Most homes are from the first half of the 1900s. A thorough inspection and careful attorney review matter.
- Alley garages. Most homes have them. If an attached garage is a must-have, your options here will be limited.
- Lot width. Lots are typically 50 feet wide, so homes sit fairly close together.
- New construction nearby. Teardowns have happened here. Look at what surrounds a home, not just the home.
McKenzie Square vs. Kenilworth Gardens
- Elementary school: McKenzie Square is served by McKenzie Elementary. Kenilworth Gardens is served by Harper Elementary. Both typically go on to Highcrest, Wilmette Junior High and New Trier.
- Location: McKenzie Square sits east of Ridge Road, closer to downtown Wilmette and the Metra station. Kenilworth Gardens sits west of Ridge Road.
- Garages: most McKenzie Square homes have alley garages. Kenilworth Gardens homes more often have driveways in front.
[Link: Read my Kenilworth Gardens neighborhood guide]
Is McKenzie Square Right for Your Family?
McKenzie Square is worth a look if you want:
- To walk to elementary school without crossing a major street
- To walk to downtown Wilmette and the train
- An older home with a front porch and classic architecture
- A 4 to 5 bedroom home in District 39 and New Trier
If you're upsizing and trying to time the move around kindergarten or a school change, the timing is usually the hardest part. My Growing Roots Method guide walks through how I approach selling and buying at the same time.
McKenzie Square FAQ
Where is McKenzie Square in Wilmette? In central Wilmette, most commonly defined as Lake Avenue to the north, Wilmette Avenue to the south, Ridge Road to the west and 15th Street to the east. Some sources extend it to Green Bay Road.
Is McKenzie Square an official neighborhood? No. It's an informal name taken from McKenzie Elementary School.
What schools serve McKenzie Square? McKenzie Elementary (K–4), Highcrest Middle School (5–6), Wilmette Junior High (7–8) and New Trier High School. Confirm any address with District 39.
Is McKenzie Square walkable? Yes. It's within walking distance of downtown Wilmette, the Metra station, the Wilmette Public Library, Howard Park and McKenzie Elementary.
What kind of homes are in McKenzie Square? Mostly early 20th-century Georgians, Foursquares and farmhouses, plus Victorians, bungalows, Cape Cods and some new construction. Most have 4 to 5 bedrooms and alley garages.
Does McKenzie Square have brick streets? Yes. Highland Avenue, Washington Avenue, and 16th Street are brick, just to name a few.
Thinking About McKenzie Square?
I walk Wilmette street by street to learn each neighborhood and its history. If you could walk to one thing every day, would it be school, the train or town? Let's connect!
Sarah Jividen, Sarah Jividen Real Estate | @properties Christie's International Real Estate. I help families upsize in Wilmette and the North Shore before their kids hit a school transition.
