$293,863Average Value$166Average Price per Sq Ft14Homes For Sale
Malta offers rural living with easy access to city conveniences
Founded in 1856, the village of Malta sits just outside the city of Dekalb in northern Illinois. After World War I, the community saw an influx of population as people moved in to find work at any of Malta's many farms. Today, the village is still largely involved in agriculture, producing a high volume of corn and soybean crops. "It's a great spot to be just outside of bigger areas," says Amy Smith-Heine, a local Realtor with Re/Max Classic who has two decades of experience selling homes. She points out that residents of Malta enjoy the neighborly feel of the village and how everything is tightly-knit. "People living there have quick access to Interstate 88, and you're 10 minutes out from DeKalb. It's got a large generational vibe, but recently it's become popular for people who want to be close to all the convenience without living in the city."
Farm animals are a frequent sight across Malta’s rural roads.
Homes in Malta are neatly arranged along grid-like streets.
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Renovated midcentury homes and modern New Traditional styles
Near the center of the village are grid-like streets, lined by sidewalks and midcentury ranch-style homes and cottages. A bit further out from the village center, subdivisions have been popping up, filled with modern New Traditional single-family homes. "There's a ton of new construction happening in Malta, which is pretty common for the villages just outside of DeKalb," Smith-Heine says. "I think there's a good opportunity for first-time homebuyers and people who don't want to retire in DeKalb but want to stay close by." Renovated vintage homes and new builds sell between roughly $140,000 and $340,000, while large properties with generous acreage in the country outskirts sell between $350,000 and $480,000. Malta's CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Modern New Traditional homes sit on well-kept Malta lawns.
Malta neighborhoods mix midcentury ranch-style and modern homes.
Spacious farmhouse properties are common on Malta’s outskirts.
Renovated vintage homes in Malta retain their original charm.
Locals can take morning walks in Malta amongst picturesque homes and quiet lanes.
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Parks with trails, playgrounds and lakes for fishing and boating
Lions Park, located near the heart of the village, is anchored by a large shelter used for several of the community's annual events. It offers a small playground as well as baseball fields, where the local youth league plays. On the village's southwest side near the Prairie Springs subdivision, Harkness Lake Park has a small community lake that allows nonmotorized boats on the water and is stocked with fish. A flat trail runs around the lakeside, providing a comfortable walking path for locals. "Malta isn't directly on the Kishwaukee River like some of the villages in the county, but it's easy enough to take a kayak or canoe to launch from places like Sycamore and Kirkland," Smith-Heine says.
Residents of Malta enjoy walking the paved walkway in Lions Park.
Harkness Lake Park in Malta has great waterfront views.
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Public school options include extracurriculars and steady grad rates
DeKalb Community Unit School District No. 428, which gets a B from Niche, serves the community. Most children living in the area will start at B-minus-rated Malta Elementary before moving on to either Huntley or Clinton Rosette Middle School, both of which score a C-plus. DeKalb High School scores a B-plus and offers its students 50 extracurricular clubs and sports. According to the Illinois Report Card, DeKalb High is categorized as a Commendable School with no underperforming student groups and a graduation rate higher than 67%.
Welcome to Malta Elementary School in Malta IL, where students are well-prepped for middle school.
Dekalb High School is home of the Barbs and offers students a plethora of extracurricular clubs and sports.
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Celebrating community during annual Malta Days festival
For a weekend in June, the Malta Days festival celebrates the community, transforming Lions Park into a vibrant gathering spot. Local farmers and orchards bring fresh produce, the village sets up a beer garden and carnival rides, and live music constantly flows. The festival has a vibrant send-off on Sunday with a large fireworks show.
Essentials in the village and nearby big-box shopping in DeKalb
The community has a few essentials, such as gas stations and auto shops, but Malta has no shopping area. It has one locally owned restaurant, Old School Pizza, which is decorated in retro neon décor and has been serving hand-tossed pies to Malta for years. For big-box shopping at stores like Walmart and Target, as well as grocers and national retailers, residents can head about 8 miles into DeKalb.
Fresh apple cider is a seasonal favorite at Jonamac Orchard.
Frank’s Freshway Market is a frequent stop for Malta locals.
Old School Pizza in Malta serves hand-tossed pies in retro décor.
Big-box shopping like Walmart is just 8 miles away in DeKalb.
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Major highways connect Malta to the Chicago area
Malta is intersected by Route 38, a major east-west highway, and Interstate 88. Residents can take either route close to the heart of Chicago, roughly 70 miles east, before connecting to other city interstates. While the area has smaller regional airports, many residents will drive the 66 miles to the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The closest medical plaza, anchored by Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, is situated 10 miles northeast in DeKalb.
Malta residents can hop on the I-88 expressway to make their way to downtown Chicago.
Northwestern Medicine Hospital is 10 miles from Malta.
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Written By
Kaitie Lamb
Photography Contributed By
Grace Kim
Video By
Mike Dunleavy
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Elissa Jarke,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Malta, IL sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Malta, IL over the last 12 months is $291,440, up 26% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
The first floor of this new two-story home is host to an inviting open-concept floorplan that blends the kitchen, living and dining areas for seamless entertaining and multitasking. All four bedrooms are located on the second floor, including the luxe owner’s suite at the back of the home with a spa-inspired bathroom and generous walk-in closet.
This charming ranch home features 2 bedrooms and 1 bath with a garage. Step into the inviting living room, open to the dining area, both showcasing beautiful hardwood floors. The kitchen includes all appliances and was updated less than three years ago with new white cabinets, countertops, and flooring. Both bedrooms also offer hardwood floors, along with an updated bathroom. The laundry room
This new single-story home optimizes space and prioritizes ease of living. Arranged at the back of the home is an open-concept layout, featuring a convenient kitchen center island overlooking the living and dining areas. Nearby is the cozy owner’s suite with a private bathroom and spacious walk-in closet, while two bedrooms are located down the hall. At the front is a two-car garage for versatile
Special offer: Pay just 75% of your base rent (taxes and fees not included) as your security deposit, valid for new applicants who sign a 12-month lease by December 31, 2025. Offer is contingent on application approval and execution of a lease agreement. Other terms and conditions may apply. This property is professionally managed by AMH Living, a leading single-family rental company. We expect
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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