Heyworth is a quiet rural village with good schools and lots of parks
Halfway between Bloomington and Clinton, Heyworth is a small village surrounded by rural farmland. Primarily a bedroom community, the village is popular for its well-regarded school district, which includes the recently renovated junior/senior high school and an extensive agriculture program. “The school board has a good vision,” says Mark Bowers, a local broker with over 20 years of experience at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Central Illinois Realtors. “They’ve had sustained growth over 15 years. It’s not big by any means, but if you’re looking for a smaller, high-quality district in the area, it’s near the top.” For a community of its size, Heyworth also has many well-maintained parks, along with several restaurants and grocery stores.
Minimal traditional housing with some newer townhouses
Most of the homes in Heyworth were built in the late 20th century, though some minimal traditional properties from the early 20th century can be found near the center of town. Generally, ranch-style builds and New Traditional homes are most common, often on compact grassy lots. Prices typically range from $100,000 to $400,000, depending on age and condition. Fixer-uppers and investment properties can sell for under $100,000. New development is relatively rare, except for a townhouse development on the community’s south side, where three-bedroom properties can sell for between $240,000 and $270,000.
Local schools offer robust agriculture programs
Heyworth Elementary earns a B-plus from Niche, while Heyworth Junior/Senior High earns a B. The latter recently underwent renovations in 2020, including the addition of a new gym. Students can take agriculture-focused courses like horticulture and animal science. In addition to coursework, the school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter participates in statewide competitive Career Development Events. In 2025, the school’s FFA program received the Outstanding Middle/Secondary Agricultural Education Program Award from the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers.
Commuting to Bloomington and Clinton on Route 51
Heyworth sits at the intersection of routes 51 and 136, less than 15 miles from Bloomington and Clinton. “Heyworth is around halfway between the two towns,” Bowers says. “Clinton has a huge nuclear power plant on a big lake, so there are a lot of employees who work there and live in Heyworth. Or you’ll see families where maybe the husband works at the power plant and the wife works in Bloomington.” OSF St. Joseph Medical Center is the nearest hospital, about 15 miles away, and Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal is less than 20 miles away.
Hiking, fishing and birdwatching at Heyworth Centennial Park
Heyworth Centennial Park is the largest community space in the area, home to baseball and softball fields and playgrounds. There are also many hiking trails through the area, and Centennial Park Pond is periodically stocked with catfish and bass. Popular among birdwatchers, Centennial Park is known to be populated with starlings and sparrows. Volunteer Park, located next to Heyworth Village Hall and the Heyworth Public Library, has basketball courts, playgrounds and a splash pad that’s open daily from May to September. More neighborhood playgrounds can be found at Cobble Creek and Hillside parks.
Local restaurants on Highway 136 serve American fare
Retail options in Heyworth are limited, with a few locally owned eateries located along Highway 136. The Hornet's Nest is a family-owned establishment that serves comfort food with all-day breakfast and daily specials. Prairie Fire Grill is another local favorite for American pub fare and craft beer. DG Market and IGA are the main grocery stores in the area.
Community gatherings include Hey Days and Fourth of July fireworks
Hey Days, a community fair held downtown, features four days of carnival rides, live music and food vendors in mid-May. The village also hosts an annual Fourth of July Celebration at Heyworth Centennial Park with fireworks and a fishing derby competition.
