$166,658Average Value$93Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Local farms and businesses shape life in Fairbury
Fairbury is a small, central Illinois city that rests amid vast stretches of farmland. Its location means that the agricultural industry is an important part of life in Fairbury, with many thriving locally owned farms and businesses. “We support our local farms and small businesses,” says Judy Somers, a broker with Palen Real Estate who has lived in the area her whole life. Despite its rural surroundings, Fairbury is less than 40 miles from Bloomington and about 110 miles outside Chicago, which enables residents to access additional services when needed.
The Kilgus Farmstead Country Store is a family run business serving Fairbury since the 1950s.
Downtown Fairbury includes several small parks.
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Farm-fresh food, Dave's Supermarket and a walkable downtown
With so many farms in the vicinity, Fairbury residents have access to some of the state’s freshest food. The Kilgus Farmstead Country Store, just south of the city, sells gelato and milk, as well as a variety of meats. Slagel Farms, also nearby, supplies many of Chicago’s upscale restaurants, and locals can buy directly from the Slagel Meats storefront in nearby Forrest. “We also have an incredible, independently owned grocery store called Dave’s Supermarket,” Somers says. “People sometimes drive from over an hour away to shop there. They even have carry-out boys who bag your groceries and bring them out to your car.” Antique stores, local law offices and restaurants line the walkable downtown area along East Locust Street. There, diners can stop into Catton’s Creamery for a root beer float or meet friends for steak night at Gigs Place Bar & Grill. Slagel Farms also hosts farm dinners a few times per year, each prepared by award-winning Chicago chefs.
Dave's Supermarket is an old-fashioned, independently owned grocery store in Fairbury.
Gigs Place Bar & Grill offers classic American fare in downtown Fairbury.
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Varied housing along tree-lined streets and lakeside lots
The majority of the town is laid out in a grid, often with wide, grassy setbacks between the streets and the tree-shaded sidewalks. In the Timber Ridge subdivision, at the southeast corner of the city, the streets curve along the edge of the small lake and Indian Creek. Housing options in Fairbury include fixer-uppers and small starter homes, which may sell between $30,000 and $120,000. In the $130,000 to $450,000 range, buyers might find midcentury ranch-style houses, renovated farmhouses from the late 1800s and post-2000 New Traditional-style homes with attached garages. Condos typically sell between $100,000 and $150,000. Some properties lie within flood-risk areas, so lenders may require flood insurance.
Condos provide an affordable housing option in Fairbury.
Some homes in Fairbury include beautiful wraparound porches.
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Children attend schools in one of Illinois’ largest districts
Children who live in Fairbury typically attend schools in the Prairie Central Community Unit School District No. 8, which is one of the largest districts in the state geographically. Currently, students can begin learning at Prairie Central Primary West in Chenoa, which serves preschool through first grade and earns a B-plus on Niche. From second through fourth grades, they continue their education at the B-rated Prairie Central Elementary School in Fairbury. In 2025, a referendum was passed to fund a new elementary building in Fairbury. The new school will serve all of the district’s preschool through fourth-grade students, and it is slated to open in the fall of 2028.
Prairie Central Upper Elementary serves fifth and sixth grades and earns a B-plus. Prairie Central Junior High School also gets a B-plus, and Prairie Central High School rates a B-minus. The junior high and high schools both offer extracurricular sports, including wrestling, volleyball and basketball.
Praire Central Upper Elementary scores a B+ on Niche as student test scores are above average.
Praire Central Junior High welcomes students from Fairbury and the surrounding communities.
Prairie Central High School maintains a B- on Niche with students performing well in academics.
Prairie Central Elementary School is a decent choice for students starting out in Fairbury.
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From city parks to an intergenerational recreation center
Fairbury has several recreation areas, including the 8-acre North Park, which is home to the city’s outdoor pool, a playground, sports courts and walking trails. Marsh Park offers shaded picnic pavilions and a large playground. The nine-hole Indian Creek Golf Course rests at the southern end of the city and is open to the public.
In mid-2025, the Boys & Girls Club opened an intergenerational center in Fairbury, which offers afterschool care and summer camps, and also provides a space for adults to stay active and engaged with the community.
Marsh Park is a favorite amongst locals in Fairbury for its playground, gazebo, and playground.
Walking trails at North Park are a great way for Fairbury locals to get out and get moving.
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Annual events include the Prairie Dirt Classic and the Fairbury Fair
The Fairbury Speedway hosts the city’s two biggest events. In July, thousands of spectators pack the stands for the annual Prairie Dirt Classic stock car race. The Fairbury Fair is a weeklong event in August. Farmers showcase their finest produce and healthiest livestock, and there are carnival rides and bands. “We always try to get the best performers we can,” Somers says. The 2025 lineup includes the Grammy-winning Oak Ridge Boys.
The Fairbury Fair draws visitors to the community each August.
The Fairbury Speedway claims the title of "America's Dirt Track."
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Travel by car to nearby Pontiac and Bloomington
Most residents depend on cars for travel, and U.S. Route 24 is the main thoroughfare. The Show Bus service operates on a limited schedule, offering rides to and from Pontiac and Bloomington. Pontiac, about 15 miles away, has an Amtrak station and the OSF HealthCare Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center. The Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal is about 35 miles southwest. “The city used to be a hub for rail travel,” Somers says. “My grandparents used to come down from Chicago on the train.” Today, passenger trains no longer serve Fairbury, although freight trains periodically pass through, which may slow downtown traffic.
Written By
Ginny West
Photography Contributed By
GL Moses
Video By
Jeffrey Knight
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jordan Dunahee,
an experienced agent in this area.
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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On average, homes in Fairbury, IL sell after 77 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Fairbury, IL over the last 12 months is $165,000, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Perfect location nestled right on 4th St. in Fairbury. This home offers a great opportunity for a first time homebuyer. The home sits on a large 100x100 lot with a detached garage and an extra storage shed with plenty of storage space for all your needs. Modestly updated throughout with vinyl and carpet flooring, Oak cabinetry in the kitchen, the furnace was totally rebuilt in 2019. This home
Don't let the exterior look of this house fool you, it is much larger than it appears! Located just blocks away from Dave's Supermarket & FALS racetrack, this is a prime location. Home has gorgeous brick exterior with a great yard with updated landscaping, a stamped sidewalk & back patio go to the 1 car detached garage, and a new roof in 2022. Main level of the home has tile and beautiful
This beautiful historic Victorian style home is everything dreams are made of. While completely remodeled in 2008 this home still boasts all of the Victorian character mixed with very modest updates throughout. As you step inside you are greeted with an open stairway in the open foyer with beautiful wooden floors and natural wood work throughout. This home offers everything a family needs from a
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