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
Phil Chiles,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Lincoln, IL sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Lincoln, IL over the last 12 months is $128,500, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming 1.5-story home on a spacious corner lot near downtown Lincoln. This property offers 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and approximately 1,687 square feet of living space with a functional layout and classic character. The main floor features a spacious living room with a wood-burning fireplace, hardwood flooring, and a formal dining room. The main-floor bedroom provides convenient main-level
Own YOUR slice of COUNTRY HEAVEN 5 minutes from Lincoln! Beautifully Updated & Remodeled 4 bedroom/ 2.5 ba Home w Fenced in Yard and 30 x 44 Shed! This home has Kitchen & Baths updated, fresh paint throughout, new lighting, fans PLUS LVP Flooring throughout! Enjoy the enormous Living Rm as you enter from the covered deck. It offers plenty natural light from floor to ceiling windows, LVP flooring
Situated on a 60X100 corner lot, this 3-bedroom vinyl sided two story home has a lot of quality upgrades but needs your finishing touches to truly shine! Main floor offers an enclosed 20X7 front porch, 5X14 enclosed side porch, living and dining areas, kitchen, full bath, and a smaller bedroom (no closet currently). Upstairs, you will find a large 10X16 landing area as well as two roomy bedrooms
Situated on a corner lot within walking distance of various amenities, this tidy two-bedroom aluminum sided bungalow is packed with opportunity for improvement! Interior boasts an enclosed front porch, front facing living room, eat-in kitchen, two bedrooms, and a full hall bath (currently gutted). Property also features a partial basement, detached garage, older storage shed, and a whole lot of
Come check out this great home with a massive wrap around front porch to enjoy. At the entry you will love the original wood staircase leading up to the 3 bedrooms and full bath. Also take in the stain glass windows. Large kitchen on main level. Nice size dining room, Family room with fireplace. Attached garage with extra space to make your own. Large basement with plenty of storage. Nice size
This fixer upper is awaiting its new owners! Just a block off of Lincoln's downtown square and a quick walk to the IGA, this bungalow style two bedroom, one bath home is conveniently located. The interior of the home has taller ceilings and comfortably spaced rooms, as well as a good sized basement. The oversized 2+ detached garage is a highlight of the property and has alley access. Property is
Here is a spacious 4 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath home located on a quiet street in Holiday Hills. On the main level you find a spacious living room open to a well-appointed kitchen/dining room with sliding glass doors to a large deck over looking a great backyard for all those outdoor needs. There are 2 nice sized bedrooms and a full hall bath. Downstairs there is a very large 'L' shaped bedroom which
6 bedrooms, 2 full baths, living and family rooms, roughly 2,500 square feet of finished living space, 2+ car detached 28X24 heated garage (has both electric as well as gas heaters), massive carport with an attached recently added lean to (large enough to store a camper, mower, etc. under), two large storage sheds, attractive brick/vinyl exterior, Andersen windows, sunroom (2024), expansive
Calling all investors! Opportunity awaits with this fixer-upper situated on a corner lot in Lincoln! This property offers a fantastic layout with tons of potential for the right buyer ready to roll up their sleeves. Originally designed as a 3-bedroom home, one bedroom was later combined to create a larger front bedroom that now features its own private half bath. The primary bedroom includes a
This 3-bedroom, 1-bath single-family home located in Lincoln offers a comfortable layout with inviting living spaces and plenty of natural light. Recent updates include brand new gutters and a new AC unit, both installed in 2026, providing added value and peace of mind for the next owner. The partial basement offers additional storage and utility space. Ideal for a variety of buyers, whether
This 2-bedroom, 1-bath home offers nearly 750 square feet of efficient, easy-to-maintain living space. This property features newer vinyl flooring throughout, creating a clean, modern feel and low-maintenance lifestyle. The functional layout maximizes every square foot, making the home ideal for first-time buyers, downsizers, or investors. A full basement provides excellent storage and additional
Discover the rural farmhouse you’ve been waiting for on the edge of Lincoln, ready for your vision and a little TLC! Step inside to a spacious, light-filled living room that leads right into a formal dining area with multiple exterior access points to both covered side and front porches. The main level features an eat-in kitchen with laundry hookups and all appliances to remain, two
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
Property Id: 1812046Conveniently located and you'll feel right at home with the inviting foyer, comfortable front facing living room that flows into a gracious dining area (charming pocket doors can be found between rooms), updated eat-in kitchen, three comfortably sized bedrooms, beautifully updated tiled bath, convenient laundry room area, and a nice rear porch/pantry area. Outdoors,
Move-in ready 2-bedroom, 2-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.
Now Available for April Contract Start Dates: Furnished month-to-month housing for professionals - ideal for contractors, engineers or medical staff. 30-day minimum stay in Lincoln, IL. Near Morton, IL, Springfield, IL. Coyote Road Solar welcome, Tazewell County, Illinois. Townhome like unit with private entrance. Quiet neighborhood nearby amenities like restaurants, and stores and easy
Now Available for April Contract Start Dates: Furnished month-to-month housing for professionals - ideal for contractors, engineers or medical staff. 30-day minimum stay in Lincoln, IL. Near Morton, IL, Springfield, IL. Coyote Road Solar welcome, Tazewell County, Illinois. Townhome like unit with private entrance. Quiet neighborhood nearby amenities like restaurants, and stores and easy
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.
Now Available for April Contract Start Dates: Furnished month-to-month housing for professionals - ideal for contractors, engineers or medical staff. 30-day minimum stay in Lincoln, IL. Near Morton, IL, Springfield, IL. Coyote Road Solar welcome, Tazewell County, Illinois. Townhome like unit with private entrance. Quiet neighborhood nearby amenities like restaurants, and stores and easy
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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.
