$156,540Average Value$112Average Price per Sq Ft16Homes For Sale
South Dixon rebuilding downtown, riverfront and Tollway corridor
South Dixon is an expanding section of Dixon, home to the city’s downtown area along the Rock River as well as a growing commercial corridor by Interstate 88, known locally as the Tollway. In 2012, Dixon grabbed the national spotlight when it was discovered that the city comptroller had embezzled more than $53 million over a 22-year period — the biggest municipal fraud in U.S. history. “Dixon struggled for a long time because they were missing that $53 million,” says broker Jenny Kirchner of Re/Max Rock Valley, who lived in Dixon for 18 years. “But now they’ve recovered quite a bit and have worked really hard to revamp the riverfront and bring in new businesses downtown and around the Tollway.”
A mix of historic, mid-century and newer homes
The median home sale price in South Dixon is $135,000, about $15,000 less than North Dixon. South Dixon’s residential streets are mostly grid-patterned with side-by-side houses on small lots. Backalley detached garages are common, and sidewalks lead downtown. Many homes in the area date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, including bungalows, Victorians and National-style houses blended with ranch-style homes and split-levels from the mid-to-late 1900s. Developments on the outskirts of South Dixon feature ranch-style homes and New Traditionals on larger lots, along with newer townhouses.
Downtown shops and restaurants, new businesses near the Tollway
Downtown’s steep streets run downhill to the river. They’re intersected by level streets lined with locally owned shops and restaurants. Most businesses are on First Street, including River City Ale House and Eatery, one of the area’s newest restaurants. Other downtown restaurants include B.B.Y. Chicken and Carry Out, known for its fried chicken, and Basil Tree Ristorante, a favorite for fine-dining Italian food. The various shops include Watefront Gifts & Antiques, Refined Boutique and Books on First. The commercial corridor near I-88 features a Walmart and an Aldi. In 2022, it was announced this area would expand through the Dixon Gateway project. By 2024, there were new fast-food restaurants, hotels and other businesses, with more expected in the coming years.
I-88 connects the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan to bigger cities
From South Dixon, it’s about a 40-mile drive to Rockford and just over 100 miles to Chicago. Both cities have international airports. The I-88 Tollway also goes by Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Reagan famously lived in South Dixon during his high school days, and the former president’s legacy is honored through statues, community events and a museum at his boyhood home.
Riverfront parks offer trails, boating and a Reagan statue
A life-size statue of Reagan riding a horse serves as the centerpiece of Heritage Crossing, a riverfront plaza and trail converted from an 1800s ferry crossing. The river is active with boaters and fishermen, and the closest boat ramp is at Page Park, less than a mile from downtown on the other side of the river. Lowell Park, where Reagan worked as a lifeguard, is the city’s most prominent riverfront park, about 4 miles away. It offers river access, a nature preserve with hiking trails, a disc golf course and a playground. South Dixon has a few small green spaces with playgrounds close to homes, including E.C. Smith Park, Dement Park and Ballou Park, which also has baseball fields used by local leagues.
Dixon Petunia Festival and Reagan Run 5K
Starting in late spring, petunias bloom all over Dixon, known as the Petunia Capital of Illinois. They were first planted in the 1960s by a gardening club as a way to beautify the city after many trees were removed due to highway expansion and an outbreak of Dutch Elm disease. For the Fourth of July, the annual Dixon Petunia Festival, features a downtown parade, a carnival and fireworks.
The Reagan Run 5K, another longstanding tradition, attracts more than 1,000 runners each year. The race starts at the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, passes the Reagan statue at Heritage Crossing and finishes at Haymarket Square.
The community comes out for plays and musicals at Dixon High School
Kindergarten and first-grade students attend Washington Elementary School, which receives a B grade from Niche. Kids in second and third grade head to Jefferson Elementary School, rated C-pus, followed by B-minus-rated Madison Elementary School for fourth and fifth grade. Reagan Middle School receives a C-plus and Dixon High School is rated B-minus. “Dixon High has a good fine arts program,” says Kirchner, who used to teach at the high school. “The whole community comes out for their plays and musicals.”
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Are you familiar with the South Dixon neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
South Dixon
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
South Dixon Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in South Dixon, Dixon sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in South Dixon, Dixon over the last 12 months is $135,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
