Cherry Valley is a commuter hub with a hometown feel
Cherry Valley was established in 1835, given its name when a resident picked it from a hat. Historically, the village was a large trade area between Rockford and Chicago, with a mill at the Kishwaukee River and access to the Illinois railroad. Today, it's a true exurb of the Rockford area, serving as a popular place for commuters to settle. "When people move into Cherry Valley, they fall in love with it. A lot of people living there commute to Chicago and Northern Illinois University for work, so location plays a big part, too," says Katie Oehlburg, a local Realtor with Realty One Group Strategies who has over a decade of experience. "You've got a cute downtown area and hometown pride with big city convenience."
Midcentury homes near downtown, modern suburbs on the outskirts
Near the heart of downtown, residential streets are shaded by the thick foliage of oak trees, and properties range from cottages built in the early 20th century to midcentury ranch-style homes. "Most of the big construction happened in the 1990s and early 2000s when the city got popular," Oehlburg says. "You'll get classic ranch homes and farmhouses, and some new construction, but the city is mostly built out. The neighborhoods that are there are really solid." Moving toward Cherry Valley's outskirts, subdivisions with New Traditional homes become more common. The median sales price for single-family homes is about $300,000, higher than Rockford's median price of $150,000.
A wide range of local schooling options
Much of Cherry Valley is part of Winnebago County, which falls under Rockford School District 205. However, the small part of the village that belongs to Boone County is zoned to Belvidere Community Unit School District 100. Most kids in the area will start at Cherry Valley Elementary, which receives a B-minus from Niche. According to the Illinois Report Card, Cherry Valley Elementary has significant growth in English and mathematics scoring compared to the rest of the state. There are several middle schools that students can move on to within the district, including C-minus-rated Flinn Middle School. Rockford East High and Jefferson High, both of which get a C-plus, are available options.
Hiking, kayaking and sports areas around Cherry Valley
At the village’s center, Baumann Park is one of Cherry Valley's most popular recreation areas. Anchored by a stocked fishing lake, residents head to Baumann to cast a line, stroll on the walking path, take their kids to the playground and play on one of several sports courts. Several forest preserves on the community's south side create a thick bracket of greenery along the Kishwaukee River. These preserves provide miles of hiking trails and designated boat launch areas for those looking to kayak in the river.
Direct interstate access, public transportation and nearby essentials
Cherry Valley is intersected by Interstates 90 and 39, which residents use to get around the surrounding county and to bigger areas such as Chicago, 80 miles east via I-90. "Since so many people living in Cherry Valley commute to Chicago, having that highway access is crucial," Oehlburg says. The Rockford Mass Transit District runs a bus service along Route 19, providing public transport to Rockford and nearby areas. The closest hospital, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, is near the community's north side. The Chicago Rockford International Airport is 10 miles away and services Allegiant Airlines.
Local businesses thrive alongside the area's largest mall
The heart of the community is centered around State Street, clustered around the bend of the Kishwaukee River. "Cherry Valley has a nice little downtown, with a bunch of mom-and-pop restaurants, little coffee shops, just a good place for home-grown businesses," Oehlburg says. Eateries like Salamone's, specializing in traditional Italian dishes, have served Cherry Valley for years. On the north side are sprawling shopping plazas filled with big-box stores and retailers, as well as the largest enclosed mall in northern Illinois outside of Chicago. "CherryVale Mall drove the economy for years, and they've managed to keep up pretty well even as we kind of get away from brick-and-mortar."
