Lake of the Woods has nature-focused living north of Mahomet
Lake of the Woods is a nature-focused community north of the small city of Mahomet , about 15 minutes from the hub of Champaign and Urbana . Its neighborhoods are situated around the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, close enough that residents might occasionally hear a chime from the 100-foot-tall bell tower that stands in the preserve. In recent years, new subdivisions have added more contemporary housing options. According to Nick Taylor, a broker and co-owner of Taylor Real Estate, buyers are drawn to Lake of the Woods for many of the same reasons they would pick Mahomet — namely, strong schools and easy commutes via Interstate 74. But what sets Lake of the Woods apart is its setting. "The biggest thing is the natural terrain," he says. "It changes. A river runs through, there are trees, and the land is more rolling than you typically see."
There are a great number of charming houses throughout the Lake of the Woods area.
Lake of the Woods Golf Course has a beautiful course for many residents to enjoy.
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Older wooded homes and newer open subdivisions
The community's older properties include ranch-style homes and Colonial Revival designs from the mid-to-late 1900s. Streets are wooded, and a trail network connects the neighborhoods. More recently, New Traditional homes have been built in uniform subdivisions with less tree cover. "We are seeing continuous growth in the area. It's getting closer to Champaign," Taylor says. Older homes range from $170,000 to $325,000, while contemporary construction and renovated properties go for $330,000 to $760,000. Some upscale subdivisions have HOA fees, including Twin Oaks, which has private lake access. Manufactured homes in Candlewood Estates range from $25,000 to $200,000.
Lake of the Woods has gorgeous bi-level houses in its quiet neighborhoods.
Lake of the Woods has a great number of charming ranch style houses throughout its community.
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Exploring gardens, history and music at the forest preserve
The Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve spans nearly 900 acres, including a central lake for fishing and boating, with paddle boats available to rent. The preserve also includes the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden, where nature trails meander past a waterfall and a koi pond. The garden is connected to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, which has historic exhibits and family-friendly event programming. The six-story HI-Tower looms over the park, with a carillon that plays a chiming bell song every hour. Kids enjoy multiple play areas, and golfers can hit the greens at the public 18-hole Lake of the Woods Golf Course. "It's very picturesque," Taylor says. "We have a lot of people who come out here just to spend an afternoon."
Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens near the Lake of the Woods area has many beautiful areas.
The Lake of the Woods neighborhoods have beautiful homes with gorgeous flowers.
Lake of the Woods Preserve has a beautiful bridge that overlooks the lake.
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Well-rated schools with a student greenhouse
Middletown Prairie Elementary School receives a B-plus from Niche and serves prekindergarten through second grade. Lincoln Trail Elementary serves third through fifth and gets an A-minus. Mahomet-Seymour Junior High gets an A-minus, and Mahomet-Seymour High School gets an A. The high school has a functioning greenhouse for agriculture and horticulture classes.
Lake of the Woods is proud of their football team
Middletown Prairie Elementary is a public school located near the Lake of the Woods area.
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Local Italian restaurant has been a staple for many years
Filippo's Pizza & Italian Food is an unassuming spot tucked into the neighborhoods, but according to Taylor, it's a local favorite. The old-school Italian eatery only takes cash or checks and has been serving the community for over 50 years. Residents might also stop by It'll Do Bar & Grill, a small-town pub with sports on the TVs and Wednesday Karaoke nights. For more options, downtown Mahomet is about 3 miles away, offering a few restaurants and a Schnucks Market for groceries. "You don't ever need to go to Champaign if you don't want to, because everything is here," Taylor says. "But it is very accessible."
The Mahomet Family Restaurant has excellent food and is located near the Lake of the Woods area.
Filippo's Pizza in Lake of the Woods has great pizza and other delicious Italian cuisine.
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Interstate 74 makes for quick trips into Champaign
Residents can take Interstate 74 to drive to Champaign, 10 miles away. The city is home to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and large retail options like Meijer and Costco. "A lot of the Champaign retail is on the north side of the city, so that makes it easy for Lake of the Woods residents to reach," Taylor says. The city also offers several health care facilities, like the Carle Foundation Hospital, and flights to Chicago or Dallas-Fort Worth are available at Willard Airport. Locals can also take Interstate 74 to Bloomington , a 40-mile trip.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Photography Contributed By
Joseph Davis
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
Sitting on a quiet cul-de-sac in Mahomet this 3 bedroom, 2 bath beautifully designed retreat features open spaces and modern finishes to create the perfect blend of comfort and style. Inside you'll find a bright, airy living area with open sight lines from the living room to the kitchen, ideal for entertaining and keeping everyone connected. At the heart of the home, the chef-inspired kitchen
Located just 15 minutes from Champaign, this well-maintained mobile home combines convenience and functionality. The welcoming front porch offers a pleasant outdoor space, while the interior features a practical floor plan with a bright living area and an efficient kitchen. The primary suite includes a private bath, and two additional bedrooms provide flexible space for family, guests, or an
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom, 1.5-story zero-lot home near Lake of the Woods, offering scenic water views and spacious living throughout. The main floor features a bright living room with vaulted ceilings and a cozy fireplace, a large eat-in kitchen perfect for gatherings, a convenient laundry room, and a generous primary en suite with a walk-in closet. Upstairs,
Sitting on a quiet cul-de-sac in Mahomet this 3 bedroom, 2 bath beautifully designed retreat features open spaces and modern finishes to create the perfect blend of comfort and style. Inside you'll find a bright, airy living area with open sight lines from the living room to the kitchen, ideal for entertaining and keeping everyone connected. At the heart of the home, the chef-inspired kitchen
About 10 miles northwest of downtown Champaign in the suburb of Mahomet, the Lake of the Woods neighborhood shares its name with a large forest preserve. “In this neighborhood, you could have commuters going into Champaign, or even Bloomington, about a half an hour west,” says Tim Drollinger, a Realtor with RE/MAX Realty Associates with over 30 years of experience. People in the neighborhood may be able to hear an hourly serenade of bells from one of the attractions at the park.
It’s hard to ignore the large neighbor in this area. The Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve spans 900 acres and has an 18-hole golf course and a large lake for boating—either by a personal craft or one available for rent. Pedal boats are available for rent on the weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. A famous attraction is the six-story HI-Tower carillon, which chimes hourly between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and a short tune is played on the bells in the tower 15 minutes before and after the hour. Other attractions include over 3 miles of paved walking and biking trails through the preserve, including over the Sangamon River via a covered bridge. The Museum of the Grand Prairie is on the west side of the preserve with three permanent exhibits that depict what life was like in the prairies of this area in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Along Lake of the Woods Road, there are older brick ranch-style houses built in the 1960s and early 1970s, mainly with brick ranch-style houses. As more houses were built away from the golf course and the forest preserve, larger Cape Cod and farmhouses were built in the ‘80s and ‘90s, some on a half-acre. Prices range from $200,000 to $400,000. The Candlewood Estates subdivision has manufactured houses with three bedrooms and nearly 1,500 square feet. The prices range from $15,000 to $60,000.
Getting an A-plus on Niche for the quality of teachers, Middletown Prairie Elementary School has prekindergarten through second-grade classes. The school receives an A-minus overall. Lincoln Trail Elementary serves grades three through five and has an A-minus overall Niche grade. Mahomet-Seymour Junior High School has an 18-to-1 student-teacher ratio and an A-minus overall rating. Mahomet-Seymour High School has an A overall grade on Niche. The Bulldog TV channel is student-run and is on YouTube. It broadcasts athletics and other major school events live whenever possible.
Owner Filippo Paris was born and raised in Mahomet and runs Filippo’s of Mahomet, a family-owned pizza and Italian-based restaurant. It’s been in the area for over 30 years and is a local favorite, serving pizza, sandwiches and Italian entrees. It’ll Do Bar is a small-town pub that serves food and drinks and is open until 1 a.m. on weekends. There are many TVs where sporting events are usually on, and Wednesday nights are Karaoke nights. Schnucks is a popular Champaign-area grocery store with a location in Mahomet.
Living in the Lake of the Woods neighborhood means access to acres of recreation and the ability to get anywhere in the Champaign area via Interstate 74. Heading east into Champaign on I-74, you can get to athletic events or other activities at the University of Illinois in about 20 minutes.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Lake Of The Woods Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,795
Median Age
38
Population under 18
28.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$74,052
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$86,432
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.8%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
36.8%
Advanced Degrees
10.6%
% Population in Labor Force
68.7%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®®
33/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
4/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
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.
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.
