Even before taking office as the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln was well-enough known around central Illinois for a town to name itself for the surveyor, traveling lawyer and future Great Emancipator. It's the only place in the nation to be so prescient, though 10 counties and another city did so after Lincoln's death. Today, the rural city of 13,000 people supports a bustling shopping and dining scene in the historic downtown. “We’re not a big city, but we do have amenities. We have restaurants that many areas our size don’t have,” says Diane Schriber, a resident and managing broker at Me Realty. Many residents commute to such cities as Springfield, Decatur and Bloomington for work but enjoy the perks of Lincoln's lifestyle. “I think the centrality is a huge draw,” says Schriber.
Abraham Lincoln was well-enough known around central Illinois for a town to name itself for the surveyor.
Logan County Courthouse was built in 1905 and is centrally located in downtown Lincoln.
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Historic homes cluster at the center of the city
The median home sale price is about $130,000, a third of the national benchmark. Homes toward the center of Lincoln tend to be older, constructed in the early 1900s to the 1950s, whereas the subdivisions on the outskirts tend to be newer, built in the 1980s to the 2010s. “In the older, more established areas, we have some beautiful historic homes that have been there many years,” says Schriber. “It’s a draw for homebuyers.” Ranch-style homes, bungalows and Craftsmans are among the most common architectural styles.
The largest industries are health care, retail trade and manufacturing.
Ranch-style homes have a historic flair in Lincoln, IL.
Bungalows in Lincoln, IL have distinct characteristics like this home with green steps and front porch.
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Treks in the park and trips around the speedway
Lincoln offers 14 parks and a golf course. Kickapoo Creek is a wildlife park with a playground and 10 miles of trails that weave through woods and prairies. Lincoln Park District is a popular rec center with a playground, a pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts and baseball fields. Visitors can take fitness classes or join various sports leagues for kids and adults. Lincoln Elks Golf Course is an 18-hole, semi-private golf club with tree-lined fairways. Home to the county’s fair, the Logan County Fairgrounds is best known for the Lincoln Speedway, a race car track that hosts frequent events. Locals can catch a show at the VIP Lincoln Grand, a historic theater in the heart of downtown.
Lincoln Elks Golf Course is an 18-hole, semi-private golf club with tree-lined fairways.
The town is home to 14 parks, including Kickapoo Creek featuring woods and trails.
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From locally owned cafes to antique shops
Most shops and restaurants are clustered in historic red brick storefronts downtown and along State Route 121. Stores include an eclectic, locally owned mix of boutiques, antique shops, greeting card shops and tea shops. Cafes are particularly popular, with many locations to choose from downtown. Guzzardo's Italian Villa is across the street from the Lincoln Courthouse Square Historic District.
Lincoln Heritage Museum, which displays presidential and personal artifacts, is one of the city's biggest attractions.
Downtown Lincoln has a central square where many local shops and restaurants are located.
Mama's Arcade Cafe has been in business for generations serving the locals.
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Balloons Over 66
One of the biggest events in town is the Balloons Over 66, a hot-air balloon festival featuring vendors and live music. “Balloonists come from as far as California. It’s a huge, huge, huge draw,” says Schriber. “It’s amazing to see— all of them up there in the air, as many as 30 to 50 all at the same time.”
From May to July, Third Fridays Downtown features live music, food and craft vendors and games for kids. During the winter, "we have people who do horse-drawn carriage rides around Christmas time,” she says.
Lincoln elementary and middle schools feed into one high school
Lincoln Elementary School District 27 and Lincoln Community High School District 404 serve the city, both scoring a B-plus on Niche. The districts offer four elementary schools, one middle and one high school. There are also several private schools to choose from, namely Carroll Catholic School, Park Meadows Christian School and Zion Lutheran School.
Lincoln College, a private institution, offers associate, bachelor's and master's programs, serving about 900 students.
Central Elementary School is a Kindergarten-5th Grade Public School located in Lincoln, IL.
Lincoln Community High School is located in Lincoln, IL.
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By train, bus or car
State Route 10 and State Route 121 run through the city, linking with Interstate 155 and providing routes to Springfield 34 miles southwest and Peoria 45 miles north. SHOW BUS Public Transportation provides bus service throughout Logan County. The city also has an Amtrak station. For health care, Lincoln Memorial Hospital is located in the town. The General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport is about 50 miles north.
Crime and environment
Lincoln has a humid continental climate typical of the Midwest and experiences four seasons.
According to FBI data, the rates of reported violent crime and property crime in Lincoln are lower than the Illinois average and national average.
Written By
Stephanie Davison
Photography Contributed By
Chris Jeong
Video By
Charles Kennedy
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kenley Kaisershot,
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 Lincoln, IL sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Lincoln, IL over the last 12 months is $127,750, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Undeniably comfortable 3-bedroom aluminum sided Starkey Acres ranch style home -- turn the key and move on in! The welcoming and inviting interior is home to a gracious front facing living room, equipped eat-in kitchen, three nice sized bedrooms, updated full hall bath, large walk-in hall closet, convenient laundry/mechanical room area, in addition to a fantastic 11X11 rear sunroom with direct
Welcome home to this updated, turn key 3-bedroom, 1-bath ranch offering more than enough space and comfort for you and yours! Step inside to find 3 great sized bedrooms, multiple storage closets throughout, and fresh paint. The eat-in kitchen is a true highlight! Complete with ample cabinet and counter space, a new gas stove (2025) and all additional appliances to remain. The full basement
Step into a beautifully updated residential/commercial flex property in the heart of downtown Lincoln, Illinois. This versatile building blends historic charm with modern convenience, ideal for a variety of business ventures. Plus, it comes with a spacious three-bedroom apartment upstairs, complete with a flex room, full kitchen, oversized living room, updated amenities, and private garage
Cozy and efficient, this charming 1-bedroom home offers approximately 500 square feet of easy-to-maintain living space. Ideal for first-time buyers, those looking to downsize, or investors, the layout is designed to maximize both comfort and functionality. The home features a bright living area, a comfortable bedroom, and a practical kitchen, all within a manageable footprint. Recent updates
This entertainers dream home boasts quite the exciting and interesting interior layout on a choice 103X200 corner lot on the edge of the sought after Epperson Subdivision and within Chester-East Lincoln school district! Big on living space, this expansive single story residential dwelling offers a spacious 18X18 living room with soaring cathedral ceilings, three sets of sliding glass doors, tile
Undeniably comfortable 3-bedroom aluminum sided Starkey Acres ranch style home -- turn the key and move on in! The welcoming and inviting interior is home to a gracious front facing living room, equipped eat-in kitchen, three nice sized bedrooms, updated full hall bath, large walk-in hall closet, convenient laundry/mechanical room area, in addition to a fantastic 11X11 rear sunroom with direct
PRICE SLASHED NEARLY IN HALF FOR A SUPER QUICK SALE! Roomy 3-bedroom story and a half aluminum sided home with two detached garages -- one being a 2+ car with rear alley access! The inviting interior boasts a 19X6 enclosed front porch (not included in total square footage), roomy living/dining concept with rustic wood flooring, equipped eat-in kitchen, comfortable bedroom, and a full hall bath.
Stately two story vinyl sided duplex situated in an ultra convenient spot! Main floor of each unit consists of a living room as well as a kitchen. Upper level of each unit features a landing area, large bedroom, and a full hall bath. Property also features a basement (exterior access only), covered front and rear porch areas, replacement windows, two newer furnaces, two newer water heaters, newer
Solid three bedroom Ranch with 2 bathrooms, full basement, newer roof, & newer replacement windows throughout. This home has been updated in so many ways including Pex water line, 220 wiring, a de-watering system that comes with the house and is warranted, the oversized two car garage and it's all in a privacy fenced-in backyard. The updated HVAC system is high efficiency and there are many, many
Your very own tiny home! This efficient conveniently situated vinyl sided home would be a breeze to own complete with low taxes, low maintenance, and low utilities! The practical interior boasts a living room, eat-in kitchen with a rear facing exterior access point, cozy bedroom, rear mechanical area, and a full bath. Property also features a partial basement (exterior access only) and a newly
Three bedrooms, two living spaces, a fenced backyard with two storage sheds, front off-street paved parking, over 1,600 square feet of usable living space, and a $5,000.00 seller credit to be used toward the completion of installing new flooring (two rooms) and/or toward closing costs -- all for $125,000? You read that right! This recently refreshed brick/vinyl sided ranch style home has a lot to
Here is your opportunity to literally meet people from all over the world while staying in one spot -- own your very own established postage-stamp sized campground (1.62 acres)! Camp A While situated just outside of historic Lincoln, Illinois offers 13 hook-up sites complete with quaint living quarters and private bathroom facilities. Rates currently run $40.00/day, $260.00/week, or
Wow! 228 4th Street maintains bragging rights on its huge 2+ car garage with a workbench and plenty of storage! It only gets better! There's a move-in-ready house, fenced yard, and new landscaping that goes with the garage! Entering the home by way of a lovely shaded side porch, you'll find a new, bright, beautiful kitchen boasting with almost everything new! New island with chairs (it's on
Welcome to Brainard Landings Apartments! Location. Quality. Service. Value. Brainard Landings offers a collection of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom floor plans that make us an ideal choice for you! Enjoy incredible living spaces, full-size washer/dryer connections, walk-in closets, fully-equipped kitchens and so much more in your home. Brainard Landings also features a Clubhouse with a refreshing swimming
Lincoln Senior Flats is a 55+ community, we do accept household members that are not of that age as long as the Head of household is 55+. This is a new construction set to be available for move-in by November 1st, 2025. A beautiful community that offers 1 bed and 1 bath floor plan and 2 bed and 2 bath floor plan. We will offer on-site property management and maintenance staff. We are a pet
Move-in ready 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom furnished rental available in Lincoln, IL. Perfect for travel nurses at Lincoln Memorial Hospital or professionals working on wind farm projects (Enel Green Power, Invenergy, Siemens Gamesa). Flexible month-to-month lease, all utilities and WiFi included, just bring your suitcase.
Move-in ready 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom furnished rental available in Lincoln, IL. Perfect for travel nurses at Lincoln Memorial Hospital or professionals working on wind farm projects (Enel Green Power, Invenergy, Siemens Gamesa). Flexible month-to-month lease, all utilities and WiFi included, just bring your suitcase.
2 bedroom - 1 bath.Move-in ready furnished 2-bedroom in Lincoln, IL — perfect for travel nurses at Lincoln Memorial Hospital or wind farm professionals with Enel, Invenergy, or Siemens Gamesa. Month-to-month lease, all utilities included, just bring your suitcase. Available September.
2 bedroom - 1 bath.Move-in ready furnished 2-bedroom in Lincoln, IL — perfect for travel nurses at Lincoln Memorial Hospital or wind farm professionals with Enel, Invenergy, or Siemens Gamesa. Month-to-month lease, all utilities included, just bring your suitcase. Available September.
Fully furnished 2-bedroom in Lincoln, IL with month-to-month lease and all utilities included. Conveniently located near Lincoln Memorial Hospital, local wind farm projects, and Amtrak service with easy access to Springfield, Bloomington, and Decatur — perfect for relocating employees and traveling professionals.
Fully furnished rental available on a month-to-month basis. All included in rental amount includes in home washer and dryer, electric, gas, wifi, sewer and trash.
2 bedroom - 1 bath.Move-in ready furnished 2-bedroom in Lincoln, IL — perfect for travel nurses at Lincoln Memorial Hospital or wind farm professionals with Enel, Invenergy, or Siemens Gamesa. Month-to-month lease, all utilities included, just bring your suitcase. Available September.
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