$352,649Average Value$176Average Price per Sq Ft14Homes For Sale
Hinckley offers quiet streets and plenty to do in Northern Illinois
Set within the vast farmland west of Chicago’s suburban sprawl, life in Hinckley is defined by its slow pace of life. “It’s a small, friendly farming community,” says Linda Swenson, a Realtor with Century 21 Real Estate who has called DeKalb County home for over 50 years. “Being right off Interstate 88 and close to Aurora is a big pull for the area, and despite its size, it has a lot to offer.” Named after Francis Hinckley, president of the Chicago and Iowa Railroad, the village began to grow when the company laid tracks less than a mile east. More than a century later, an established downtown, outdoor recreation and proximity to surrounding cities anchor this community of just under 2,000 residents.
BNSF freight tracks run along Hinckley’s south side near the water tower.
Mature trees shade residential blocks across Hinckley.
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Outdoor spaces include playgrounds, lakes and forest trails
Pioneer Park is the village’s largest and includes a playground, athletic courts and fields and an indoor shelter that is available to rent for parties and other gatherings. Afton Forest Preserve offers catch-and-release fishing, alongside a series of trails that wind through open prairie. Midwest Sportsplex centers around baseball, with indoor batting tunnels, automatic pitchers, practice mounds and more. Other nearby attractions include Shabbona Lake State Park, known as the “Muskie Capital of Illinois.” The park offers a public launch for dropping in a boat or kayak to fish muskie, bullhead, walleye and other native species. When winter rolls around, its network of hiking trails transforms into cross-country skiing and snowmobile routes.
Afton Forest Preserve protects 285 acres of prairie, wetland, and woodland.
Midwest Sportsplex offers indoor batting tunnels and practice mounds.
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Residential streets comprise a mix of vintage homes and new builds
Homes in Hinckley come in a mix of architectural styles, from late 19th-century Victorians and midcentury ranch and split-level styles. Many rest behind neat sidewalks and within the shade of mature pine and oak trees. “We also have a lot of new builds going up near the center of the community, which is exciting,” Swenson says. In the area’s outer rural portions, plots reach up to 10 acres, and houses share space with sprawling crop fields. Depending on size and condition, most homes sell between $160,000 and $420,000. Freight trains of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway pass through the community’s southern side, creating occasional background noise for nearby homes. Hinckley also has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Split-level homes are common in Hinckley’s midcentury neighborhoods.
Victorian homes from the late 1800s line select Hinckley blocks.
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Residents dine downtown and shop big-box stores in nearby cities
A collection of locally owned businesses fills downtown’s longstanding storefronts. “Hinckley is the capital of restaurants when it comes to small communities in the county,” Swenson says. South Moon Barbeque is a laid-back spot known for its burnt ends and selection of craft beer. Hinckley Café is next door and is the area’s go-to restaurant for Southern comfort breakfast dishes like biscuits and gravy. The village is home to Dollar General and Hinckley Fresh Market for groceries and other essentials. Swenson says that most grocery and big-box shopping happens between Sugar Grove, DeKalb and Aurora. All of these cities are within 18 miles.
South Moon Barbeque is known for burnt ends and a deep craft beer list.
Hinckley Café serves hearty breakfasts like biscuits and gravy downtown.
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Hinckley - Big Rock High School offers dual enrollment courses
Students begin their education at Hinckley – Big Rock Elementary School before heading to Hinckley – Big Rock Middle School. Both schools earn a B from Niche, alongside Hinckley – Big Rock High School. The high school offers dual enrollment courses in partnership with Waubonsee Community College and Kishwaukee Community College.
Hinckley-Big Rock Elementary earns a B from Niche and serves neighborhood students.
Hinckley-Big Rock Middle School serves grades 6–8 and earns a B from Niche.
Hinckley-Big Rock High School offers dual enrollment with two area colleges.
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Seasonal events bring neighbors together
Locals gather annually for Hinckley Fall Fest, held at Pioneer Park in mid-October. The event features live music and local food and drink vendors, and proceeds go towards the village’s Good Time for All Festival in late June. The latter features a classic car show, a bike parade and several other activities for all ages, before closing out with a grand fireworks show.
Pioneer Park features a playground, picnic shelter, and open green space for all ages.
Visitors enjoy basketball courts and winding trails throughout Pioneer Park.
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U.S. Route 30 supports local and regional commutes
U.S. Route 30 links residents to Chicago’s outer suburbs toward the east, including Aurora, which is home to Mercy Medical Center. The nearest commercial flights head out of Rockford International Airport, 55 miles northwest, and Chicago is roughly 60 miles east. “On weekend mornings when there’s not a lot of traffic, I can be downtown in an hour,” Swenson says.
Aurora, Illinois’ second-largest city, sits about 18 miles east.
Rockford International Airport lies 55 miles northwest with commercial service.
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Written By
Matthew Simmons
Photography Contributed By
Matt Ferguson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jaeh Korwitts,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Hinckley, IL sell after 24 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Hinckley, IL over the last 12 months is $356,000, up 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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