Although only about 200 people live in the Champaign County community of Penfield, the population soars into the thousands for four days in July. "The biggest attraction in Penfield is the 7,000 to 10,000 people that come every July for Historic Farm Days," says Chuck Stelter, president of the I & I Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club, which hosts the event. "We also have a one-room schoolhouse and log cabin on display to give people an idea of what life was like. Our facility is in an old school, so it's used as a museum with exhibits in classrooms and antique tractors sitting in the gym." Much of the old farm equipment was donated. Often, during monthly gas club meetings, members try to identify items that have been donated and how they might have been used.
Historic Farm Days held in Penfield is a preservation of farming methods of the past.
The biggest attraction in Penfield is the Historic Farm Days every July.
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Penfield’s tavern
For those living in Penfield, a restaurant is right in the neighborhood. Last Call Bar & Grill has been part of Penfield since 2006, offering burgers, Mexican food and meatloaf. Thursday is the popular wing night with about 15 styles of sauces. Last Call is also open for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. It’s just 5 miles to the west to reach Gifford and the Longbranch Steakhouse, which specializes in steak and seafood. It’s open Wednesday through Saturday. Open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sonrise Farms sells food that they say is beyond organic. The cattle on their farm graze on grass, not grain, and the chickens' feed is made from non-GMO grains and has no hormones or antibiotics. A Dollar General is to the west in Gifford for quick household items. County Market is a larger grocery store located 10 miles west in Rantoul.
Last Call Bar & Grill established in 1932 had Champaign county's oldest liquor license.
Dollar General located near Penfield was founded in 1939 offers great service.
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The iconic steeple of St. Lawrence Catholic Church
Rising above the landscape of Penfield is the steeple that's part of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church, which was established in 1898. The Catholic Diocese of Peoria decided to close the church and combine the congregation into other parishes. In a letter to parishioners, the diocese told the congregation that the phase-out will last a year and the last service will be in July 2025. Penfield has only a few streets and fewer than 100 houses. Its homes range from turn-of-the-20th-century farmhouses with over 2,000 square feet to ranch-style and Cape Cod. Prices range from $80,000 to $180,000. Many have partial basements, and the older houses have detached garages. Manufactured homes are between $50,000 and $100,000. With the rural aspect of the neighborhood, a few houses are on half-acre plots.
Saint Lawrence Catholic Church in Penfield, IL was established in 1898.
In the small Penfield area there are many adorable houses that can be found.
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Recreation in and near Penfield
A full basketball court on the corner of Main and South Streets is the only recreation option in the Penfield neighborhood. Six miles to the north on County Road 2700 East, or Route 22, is the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, which has a section of the Middle Fork Vermilion running through it. The over 1,700 acres contain a waterfowl management area and the Harry L. Swartz Campground. Close by is the Middle Fork Activity Center, which has occasional concerts during the summer and the Dark Sky Series, put on by the Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society, where a star-gazing session occurs. The forest preserve is a designated Dark Sky Park, meaning it’s optimum for stargazing on clear nights.
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve near Penfield has a nice lake for fishing and swimming.
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve near Penfield has fishing, swimming and 9 miles of trails.
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Penfield post office
Penfield is an unincorporated community with no form of government or town hall. A post office is down the street from Last Call Bar & Grill. It’s a small brick building with one mailbox outside the front door and a few parking spaces in front.
The Penfield Post Office offers an array of services including package delivery.
Last Call Bar & Grill established in 1932 had Champaign county's oldest liquor license.
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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Reach out to
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Transit
Airport
University of Illinois/Willard
56 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Penfield
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
69
Median Year Built
1944
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,260
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
13,068
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Russ Taylor,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
188
Median Age
47
Population under 18
22.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.5%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$98,076
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$108,865
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.8%
College Graduates
20%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.4%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
10''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
24/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
6/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
