$139,288Average Value$89Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Small Piatt County farm hub east of Decatur
Cerro Gordo is a village of about 1,300 people in eastern Piatt County set between the larger, busier cities of Champaign and Decatur. Its Spanish name, “Fat Hill,” comes from a low, rounded hill that once stood out on the flat prairie and served as a landmark for early settlers. “Champaign University is the biggest draw, and the reason that the population here skews younger,” says Russ Taylor, Realtor with the Russ Taylor Team at Taylor Realty Associates. Because there are few stores or services nearby, neighbors rely on each other. Corn and soy fields surround the town, and youth leagues—baseball in summer, basketball in winter—bring families together all year.
The main street area of Cerro Gordo sports colorful sidewalk art.
Smaller traditional homes are common in Cerro Gordo.
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Foursquare and ranch-style homes
The oldest houses—plain Traditional farm homes raised between the late 1700s and 1860—still stand after steady upkeep and occasional refurbishing. Early-1900s American Foursquares with wide front porches followed, then 1950s ranch-style homes, and finally a handful of New Traditional builds. 1970s construction added another layer: many of those newer homes are classic single-story ranch-style houses. Most lots measure a quarter to half an acre. Sale prices usually run from about $180,000 to $250,000, with a median near $200,000. Many backyards still hold a detached garage or small barn, so a garden plot or a few hens is an easy add-on.
Many historic homes in Cerro Gordo feature wrap around porches.
Beutiful farmhouses stand proud in Cerro Gordo.
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Niche-rated B and B-plus K-12 campus
Cerro Gordo Grade School earns a B from Niche, while Cerro Gordo Junior & Senior High posts a B-plus, providing consistent academics from kindergarten through graduation. Cerro Gordo High is known for preparing students for higher education at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Eastern Illinois University and Richland Community College. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a well-ranked engineering and research college, houses one of the largest public libraries in the world.
Cerro Gordo Elementary School is part of Cerro Gordo Community Unit School District 100.
Cerro Gordo Junior/Senior High School serves students in grades 6-12.
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Three village parks for play, ballgames and picnics
Gordy Park serves as the village’s outdoor hub with lighted baseball diamonds, a splash pad, concession stand and a summer concert gazebo. Born Park offers a shaded playground for younger children, while Veterans Park offers a quiet memorial garden and picnic shelters for reunions. County anglers trailer boats north towards Friends Creek Conservation Area, and cyclists use lightly traveled farm roads for weekend rides into neighboring Macon and DeWitt counties.
Gordy Park hosts football practice and baseball games.
Born Park is a great place to pass through on a jog through Cerro Gordo.
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Two hometown eateries, Dollar General and Decatur options
Dollar General is the only grocery store in the community, but local restaurants like Judy’s Kitchen & Catering draw lunchtime crowds with rotating plate specials—fried chicken Fridays and homemade pie. The Depot Bar, operating out of a restored rail building, is the go-to late-night spot for cocktails, slot machines and a game of pool. "The Depot Bar is very popular with the college students from Champaign," says Taylor. For big-box retailers, movie theaters and chain restaurants, most residents make the 15-mile drive west to Decatur. The Hickory Mall in Forsyth is the closest large shopping center, set about 20 miles away.
Stop by the Cerro Gordo Dollar General for every day items.
Many residents come to eat at Judy’s Kitchen & Catering.
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Route 105 link to Decatur, local hospital and regional airport
Illinois Route 105 carries commuters to Decatur employers, including Archer Daniels Midland and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. U.S. 36 and Interstate 72 connect to Champaign. Decatur Airport provides regional flights and general-aviation services; for major commercial routes, residents typically drive to Champaign’s Willard Airport or to Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.
Written By
Braxton Chea
Photography Contributed By
Matthew Bloch
Video By
Mike Dunleavy
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Colleen Brinkoetter,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Cerro Gordo, IL sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Cerro Gordo, IL over the last 12 months is $132,500, up 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Put your touch on this cozy Cerro Gordo Bungalow. Close to the school and has plenty of potential! Larger rooms. Master with walk-in closet. Eat in kitchen with laundry room adjacent to it, Possible 2nd bedroom possibility.
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