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 largest employer in the area - many make the daily drive into Champaign but escape here for the spaciousness and comparative affordability,” 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
