Historic business district with a residential heart
Adjacent to downtown Moline, the Old Towne neighborhood holds a unique position in the Quad Cities. Centrally located, the area was once the city's business district. It was founded in 1885, and immigrants quickly came from Germany, Mexico, Sweden and Belgium to work in the factories and lumber mills along the Mississippi River. By 1907, the neighborhood had a large enough Belgian population to warrant the opening of one of two Belgian consulates in the nation. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 and is close to several local landmarks such as the John Deere Pavilion and Vibrant Arena.
“The area, including Overlook, Uptown Moline, Stephens Park and Old Towne, is locally known as Old Towne,'' says Candice Shamsie, a Broker at Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors with 22 years of real estate experience. "The extra ‘e’ in Towne recalls the area’s historic Belgian roots."
Residents of Old Towne have easy access to everyday ammenities.
Old Towne residents enjoy this bike-friendly city.
1/2
19th and early 20th-century cottages and American Foursquare homes
Though it has business roots, Old Towne's heart is mostly residential today, though commerce isn't hard to find. Many homes were built between the late 1870s and the 1920s. Cottages, Craftsman bungalows, duplexes and American Foursquares stand back from the streets to allow for tidy front lawns. Hardwood trees dating back a century or more shade the sidewalks.
Two-story cottages with front porches have recently sold for about $73,000 to $130,000. Renovated one-and-a-half-story homes have recently sold from about $130,000 to $140,000, while American Foursquares can be found for around $170,000.
Prospective home buyers will find affordable, well maintained homes in Old Towne.
Home owners with a knack for handy-work enjoy renovating historic homes in Old Towne.
1/2
Quirky novelty stores and family restaurants
Old Towne is home to some of the best restaurants in the city and is known for its quirky shops. The Brick House sells new and used LEGO blocks and sets. There are custom minifigures, and the shop hosts a minifigure trade-in night once a month. It also has a LEGO wall and play area for those wanting to try things out before purchasing.
Kick Serve Coffee specializes in espresso drinks, natural fruit smoothies, handmade Italian sodas and energy drinks. Maria’s Mexican Restaurant is one of the Quad Cities' favorite places for Latin food. It offers house specialties such as chorizo with eggs, seafood tostadas and chicken mole. Bottoms Up on 7th is a cozy neighborhood bar and restaurant with a pool table, TVs and fan-favorite smash burgers.
SouthPark Mall is the closest multi-store shopping location to Old Towne. Its anchors include Von Maur, Dillard’s Clearance Center and JCPenney. Everyday essentials can be found at the Jewel-Osco, a regional grocery chain that offers a pharmacy and fueling station and groceries.
Spend an afternoon with the kids building at The Brick House in Old Towne.
Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine at Marias Mexican Restaurant in Old Towne.
1/2
The Fall Belgian Fest honors the heritage of early founders
Carriages pulled by Belgian Draft horses and classic Flemish bands are just a few of the amusements awaiting locals in September at the Fall Belgian Fest. Held at Stephens Park, the one-day event is hosted by the Honorary Belgian Consulate, established in 1919 to assist immigrant families. Kids enjoy face painting and Belgian waffles. Adults pick out their favorite Belgian beers and watch Rolle Bolle games, a traditional Belgian bowling sport played on a hard sand surface.
STEM programs in elementary schools draw students to Moline
Students in Old Towne can attend schools in Moline Unified School District No. 40, which has a B-grade from Niche. B-graded Hamilton Elementary is housed in one of the newest school buildings in the district, which opened in 2015 as the first new school building in 50 years. Its floor-to-rooftop glass windows are a notable feature that captures natural light inside classrooms and common areas. Classrooms surround the Imaginarium, a collaborative work space, and the Discovery Lab is a spot for STEM-focused work.
John Deere Middle, with a C-plus grade from Niche, participates in Lights on for Learning, an enrichment program that tutors children before- or after-school and on Saturdays. According to Niche, who gives Moline Senior High a B-plus grade, the school is the best public high school in Rock Island County. It features 40 extracurricular activities, 20 sports teams, 14 advanced placement classes, and 15 dual credit courses with Black Hawk College.
Old Towne’s youngest students start their education at nearby Hamilton Elementary.
Moline High School is where many Old Towne students grow, learn, and build lifelong memories.
1/2
Amenity-rich Stephens Park is a short walk from many homes in Old Towne
Stephens Park is one of the largest green spaces in Moline. It occupies 27 acres from Fifth to 15th avenues. It’s home to a Little Free Library and courts for Rolle Bolle. People of all ages use the basketball and sand volleyball courts and enjoy walking and running in the open green spaces. There are more than a mile of paved trails, two picnic shelters and three baseball fields. New playground equipment was installed in 2023, including multiple slides, a merry-go-round, swings and climbing structures.
At John Deere Pavilion, kids can touch, climb, and go inside several of John Deere’s largest machines, from farm tractors to massive construction vehicles. The Pavilion is one of several sites at the John Deere World Headquarters, which faces the Mississippi River in Old Towne. “John Deere is an important part of the Old Towne community,” says Cheyenne Khounnha, Realtor with Landmark Realty of Illinois and a real estate agent for over 10 years. “They were one of the earliest employers in the area, and today, they’re still one of the largest. They’re a big part of Old Towne’s story.”
Stephens Park is in the heart of Old Towne and is undergoing a full remodel with new equipment.
Stop by the John Deere Pavilion near Old Towne to get up close with behemoth machinery.
1/2
MetroLink buses offer plenty of stops in Old Towne
Getting around Old Towne can take many forms. Bicycles are popular here, and several roads have painted bike lanes. Locals will find numerous MetroLink bus stops across the neighborhood when traveling longer distances. Twelfth, 16th and 19th Avenues run through the area and take commuters directly to Interstate 74, 2 miles east. Old Towne is 165 miles west of Chicago, less than 5 miles from the Quad Cities International Airport, and 3 miles from the UnityPoint Health-Trinity Moline hospital.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Andy Rodriguez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Velie Park
Stephens Park
Lincoln Park
Browning Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Walking Paths
McCandless Park
Karstens Park
Transit
Airport
Quad Cities International
12 min drive
Bus
4 St & 15 Ave Shelter
Bus
7 St & 18 Ave
Bus
7 St & 21 Ave_01
Bus
7 St & 19 Ave
Bus
4 St & 16 Ave
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Old Towne
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old Towne, Moline sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Old Towne, Moline over the last 12 months is $113,687, consistent with the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Sweet Home! Move in ready 1.5 story situated on a private cul-de-sac. 3-bedrooms, full bath, attached garage! Enclosed front porch plus a spacious 3-season room. Extra-large fenced yard. Oh boy, we can get a dog! Plus, room for a garden, too! Fire pit and wood included, gather round the fire and roast marshmallows! New roof 7/2024 New water heater 1/2024 All appliances included: New
This single-family home has been converted into two separate units, each with its own kitchen, living space, and private entrance. Both units are currently tenant-occupied, providing immediate rental income. Both rent $825 each. Ideal for investors looking to expand their portfolio. Convenient location with off-street parking and shared outdoor space. Tenant rights apply – 24-hour notice is
This large level lot is in an established neighborhood with older and newer homes. In the heart of Moline. Close to everything yet tucked away with surrounding wooded ravine for a private setting. This is a perfect setting to build your home. Come take a look at the possibilities.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Andy Rodriguez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,381
Median Age
36
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$48,610
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$52,819
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
75.5%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
20.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.4%
% Population in Labor Force
66.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
23''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
50/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
70/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
38/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
