“City of Murals” sees industrial and residential growth
Learning about Belvidere is as easy as taking a walk. The seat of Boone County was dubbed “City of Murals” by the Illinois Arts Council in 1997 after local artists crafted 10 depictions of the city’s historical roots on storefronts north and south of the Kishwaukee River. Today, over two dozen art pieces tell the story of Belvidere’s iconic fixtures, from major employer Chrysler to world-renowned architect Jeanne Gang. “It’s a way for families to look back on the city and find connections, saying, ‘My grandfather was a part of that,’” says Joseph Eurek, lifelong Belvidere resident and agent with Dickerson & Nieman Realtors. Industry remains a key piece of the Belvidere story as more homes finish construction each year, with a previously shuttered Stellantis plant in negotiations to reopen. “It’s got some growth and a tightknit community,” Eurek says. “You’re not going to have the ‘hustle and bustle’ of a bigger city here, but for a lot of people, that’s a good thing.”
Belvidere is known for the Belvidere Assembly plant which produced vehicles for Chrysler.
Known as the "City of Murals," Belvidere features a swath of historical murals down State St.
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New Belvidere developments resume construction after delays
Belvidere’s median price is $255,000—well below the national average but well above Rockford's. Homes tend to sell quickly at an average of 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 44. Gridded streets of bungalows, American Foursquares and folk-style homes transition to midcentury ranch-styles and bi-levels farther out from downtown. The city’s outskirts contain subdivisions of New Traditional homes, developments in progress, and mobile home communities like Greenview Estates. “There was a big boom in construction, and then a lot of developments stalled for a while,” Eurek says. “You would drive past neighborhood streets with no homes. Now they are getting houses a couple at a time. We have such a housing shortage that they are very much needed.”
New Traditional homes and new developments are found on the outskirts of Belvidere.
Belvidere's median home price is $255,000, with offerings like ranch-style homes.
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Rural drives to Rockford, industry close to home
Belvidere is a suburb of Rockford, but its 14-mile distance from the Forest City affords it a more separate identity. “Some of the Rockford area suburbs are so close to the city that you need to find the sign to know you’ve arrived,” Eurek says. “Belvidere is a drive away down country roads, so you don’t get the ‘bleeding into each other’ sense.” While Chicago Rockford International Airport is 17 miles away, UW Health Belvidere Hospital houses an emergency room in town. Most industrial and manufacturing centers are to the southwest along Newburg Road or U.S. Route 20. As Stellantis decides the future output of its former Chrysler plant, Walmart and General Mills add new distribution centers. “We’re very close to Interstate 90, which goes all the way to Chicago,” Eurek says. “So it gives easy access for companies to transport their stuff.”
Business booming along State Street and Buchannan Street
“I was born and raised here, and Rockford was where you go on the weekend to hang out, go to movie theater or a restaurant,” Eurek says. “Now Belvidere has some up-and-coming restaurants and quite a lot of development.” State Street is the main drag for mural-adorned shops and eateries, while new businesses arrive to one-way Buchannan Street. North State Street and U.S. Route 20 are the main areas for fast food and big box grocers like Aldi, Fiesta Market and Walmart.
Enjoy the welcoming service and tasty food at Taqueria El Molcajete in Belvidere.
Retail options in Belvidere include grocery stores like Aldi.
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From summertime markets on Buchanan to the Boone County Fair
Foot traffic, vendors and live music replace vehicle traffic three times a summer during the Buchanan Street Market. The Boone County Fairgrounds sprawl at Belvidere’s north end, coming alive in August for a fair complete with horse shows, tractor pulls, carnival rides and snacks.
Indoor and outdoor recreation in Belvidere
The three-story Boone County Museum of History houses interactive exhibits in the heart of downtown Belvidere. Anglers cast their lines from boat launches on the Kishwaukee River, which leads west to a hotspot for kayaking and hiking: the 354-acre Spencer Park Conservation Area. The Belvidere Park District maintains a dozen amenities, from playgrounds to seasonal facilities like an ice-skating rink.
Enjoy the hiking trails along the Kishwaukee River at Spencer Park in Belvidere.
The Boone County Museum of History features interactive exhibits in downtown Belvidere.
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Belvidere School District 100 and new Rock Valley College facilities
Eurek says a major draw to the city is the close-knit nature of Belvidere Community Unit School District 100, which scores an overall B-minus from Niche and serves just over 7,500 students compared to Rockford Public Schools’ 27,000. “There’s a bus system, but there are definitely walkers too,” Eurek says. Rock Valley College chose Belvidere as the home of its new Advanced Technology Center after years of postponements and location changes. This lab space for computer science, manufacturing and other career paths opened its doors in 2022.
Belvidere North High School is a public school with about 1,472 students enrolled.
Rock Valley College is a part of the Illinois Community College System.
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Tracking crime and weather patterns in Belvidere
According to FBI statistics, Belvidere’s overall crime rate decreased by 41% between 2015 and 2023 and falls below the national average. “We see all four seasons, and though the snow has let up a little bit recently, we usually plow the driveways out here,” Eurek says. The National Weather Service reports 14 tornado incidents in Boone County since 1950. A memorial at Belvidere High School honors the many students and staff who were injured or killed during an F4 tornado that tore through Belvidere in 1967. The City of Belvidere tests its outdoor warning sirens at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.
Licence Real Estate Agent since 2005 Licence Real Estate Broker since 2012 Northern Illinois Commercial Association of Realtors Board member since 2013 and Secretary and Treasurer 2014 - 2017 Belvidere Board of Realtors Board member since 2005 Belvidere Board of Realtors Vice President 2014 - 2016 Belvidere Board of Realtors President 2016-2017 Rockford Area Association of Realtors member since 2005 Rockford Area Association of Realtors Commercial Committee Member & MLS Committee Member. Growth Dimensions Economic Development Community Partner Member for Belvidere Board of Realtors.
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