Cortland’s growth is tied to its location and peaceful atmosphere
In Cortland, housing developments carve out space from former farms and fields to make way for new homes and residents. The town in DeKalb County is home to about 4,500 people and saw more than 100% population increase from 1990 to 2000, and then again from 2000 to 2010. What is the reason for this rapid growth? Cortland's proximity to two cities. "If you could combine Dekalb and Sycamore and make a mini version, that would be Cortland," says Gretchen Weber, associate broker with Baird & Warner Fox Valley and a top seller in the area. Little exists in the bedroom community besides residential streets and a small center with town buildings. But that smallness is what attracts newcomers to the neighborhood. "People prefer that small-town, quiet feeling in Cortland," Weber says. "They still have access to the busier areas with shopping and dining, but then they can return home to the quiet."
Tree-shaded older homes sit beside sidewalk-lined new construction
Some homes date back to the 1970s and 1980s, but most are from the 1990s onward. The older homes, like Colonial Revivals, split-levels, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes, are shaded by tall trees in front yards, which have been growing since the homes were built half a century ago. The houses range between $200,000 and $310,000. New Traditional, Modern Craftsman and other styles from the past two decades in sidewalk-lined developments range between $300,000 and $400,000. Townhouses of the same design sell for $200,000 to $275,000, with those built in the past few years at the top of the range. "The homes are reasonably priced, especially compared to the two nearby cities," Weber says. "And, in general, new homes don't sit long after they're built. They move quickly."
Learning with technology at well-rated schools across two districts
Most students are zoned to attend DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 schools, beginning at Cortland Elementary School, which receives a C score from Niche. Huntley Middle School is rated C-plus, and DeKalb High School earns a B-plus. A small section of the area is zoned for the Sycamore Community School District 427. "The northern part of Cortland is less expensive than Sycamore but shares the same schools, which is attractive to some homebuyers," Weber says. South Prairie Elementary School is rated B, Sycamore Middle School earns a B-minus and Sycamore High School earns a B-plus. Across both districts, there is a one-to-one student technology initiative.
Local parks offer the basics, while nearby towns offer more recreation
Small pocket parks between the area's residential streets include Suppeland Park, Hetchler Park and McPhillips Park. Cortland Community Park is the largest, with a baseball diamond, a playground and a pavilion. "The little parks there are great for families, but people looking to hike, play sports or golf are going to go elsewhere," Weber says. Golf courses, both private and public, are in DeKalb and Sycamore, and forest preserves with hiking trails are in Genoa.
There’s limited dining in town, but easy access to national retailers
One of just two places to eat in Cortland, Sam's Family Restaurant is where residents go for large servings of omelets and home fries in the morning, and burgers with crinkle-cut fries in the evening. Dollar General and gas stations with convenience stores are in the area, and Yaeger's Farm Market is a seasonal shop selling flowers and produce grown at a local family farm. Locally owned eateries and shops are in downtown DeKalb, west on Lincoln Highway. The region's main shopping center is on the border of DeKalb and Sycamore, only about 4 miles from Cortland. Walmart, Lowe's, Target and other national retailers anchor the large plazas on either side of Sycamore Road.
Major employers in DeKalb and Sycamore are close
No buses stop in the area, so residents rely on cars to get around. DeKalb and Sycamore are each less than 5 miles away and have significant employers like Northern Illinois University, Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital and a Target distribution center. Some residents commute to Chicago , about 65 miles east via Interstate 88. Dekalb Taylor Municipal Airport is next to Cortland. While it has no commercial flights, hobby and agricultural planes occasionally fly overhead. Chicago O'Hare International Airport is 63 miles away.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
