Monmouth is a small college town in rural Illinois
In the countryside of Warren County, nearly 9,000 people live in the small city of Monmouth, a working-class community with a college-town vibe and a thriving Main Street. “People typically move here to work in the factories or at Monmouth College,” says Annette Thompson, a Realtor with Western Illinois Realty who has been selling homes in Warren County for more than 25 years. Smithfield Foods is the largest employer, followed by the private liberal arts college founded in 1853, 22 years after the city was founded and established as the county seat. Nicknamed the “Maple City,” Monmouth is dotted with towering maple trees about 15 miles from the Iowa state line.
Monmouth is home to 8,500 residents.
The plethora of mature maple trees in Monmouth is celebrated in a festival every summer.
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Early to mid-1900s houses with an uncompetitive market
Single-family homes closer to downtown are from the early 1900s, while those farther out were mostly built in the mid-1900s. Fully renovated ranch-style houses sell for as much as $290,000, and mobile homes go for as low as $15,000, with a median home price of $113,000. There isn’t a high demand in Monmouth, as houses stay on the market for an average of 84 days compared to the national average of 47 days.
Many historic Monmouth homes have been renovated and modernized.
New Traditional homes can be found in small pockets throughout Monmouth.
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A local park, nature center and community pool
Monmouth’s Parks & Recreation department maintains several green spaces. Monmouth Park features athletic fields, a playground and a scenic gazebo between two hills frequently used for weddings. There are also many pocket parks with ball fields used by Monmouth Little Lions Baseball. LeSeur Nature Preserve, owned by Monmouth College but open to the public, has more than 16 acres of nature to explore. For fun on the water, Citizens Lake is popular for fishing and boating, and the Pattee Foundation YMCA Water Park has an outdoor community pool with a tall, twisting water slide and a splash pad.
Monmouth Park is home to a playground, golf course, and a popular gazebo.
Several bridges cross the creek at LeSuer Nature Preserve in Monmouth.
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Nearly 2 miles of stores and restaurants on downtown Main Street
Main Street runs through downtown and is lined with nearly 2 miles of local businesses, big-box retailers and chain restaurants. The busiest section is near Public Square, a roundabout with a green space. Century-old brick buildings surround the square and continue down Main Street, which includes the county courthouse, city hall and several bars that stay open late, some until midnight. “There’s definitely some nightlife because of the bars,” says Thompson. “A lot of college kids like to hang out in that area.”
Monmouth's Public Square is the central hub of the city.
Abner's Bar and Lounge offers ample outdoor seating in a quiet pedestrian mall.
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Public schools, a private catholic school and Monmouth College
Kindergarteners and first graders attend Lincoln Early Childhood School, which receives a B-minus from Niche. Harding Primary School, rated C, serves second and third graders, followed by fourth through sixth grade at Central Intermediate School, rated C-plus. Monmouth-Roseville Junior High, rated C, is 20 minutes away in Roseville. Meanwhile, Monmouth-Roseville High is in Monmouth and receives a B-plus. Immaculate Conception School, which is currently unrated, provides private Catholic education for kindergarten through eighth grade. Monmouth College, a private Presbyterian institution, offers more than 50 programs. The Monmouth Fighting Scots compete in NCAA Division III men’s and women’s sports. “It’s like your typical college town where everyone goes to the football games,” Thompson says.
Monmouth students go through Monmouth-Roseville schools, eventually graduating from Monmouth-Roseville High School.
Monmouth College is a small private college with rich and proud history.
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Annual events and history museums
The Warren County Prime Beef Festival has been going strong since 1948, celebrating the area’s longtime relationship with the livestock industry. The weeklong event features several activities, including a parade, livestock shows, fair rides, a demolition derby and the crowning of the prime beef princess. The parade runs down Main Street, where other events are held throughout the year, including the Maple City Street Machines Car Cruise and the annual Christmas Tree lighting at Public Square.
Residents can learn about local history at the Warren County History Museum. Several historic figures have lived in Monmouth, including Ronald Reagan, who lived there for a few years as a kid, and Wyatt Earp, a legendary lawman of the Wild West whose birth home has been transformed into a museum.
The Warren County History Museum showcases the past of Monmouth and surrounding countryside.
The home that Wyatt Earp was born and raised in is now a museum and rental home.
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Monmouth is connected to nearby cities and towns by Highways 34 and 67.
A primarily car-dependent community with access to two highways
While there is no public bus route system, Warren County Public Transportation offers shuttle services to pick up residents at home. U.S. 34 runs east and west, while U.S. 67 runs north and south. Locals can take U.S. 67 less than an hour north to the Quad Cities International Airport.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Lucas Dyke
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jed Rhoades,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Monmouth, IL sell after 62 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Monmouth, IL over the last 12 months is $121,500, up 37% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover peaceful country living just minutes from town in this well-maintained 2-bedroom, 1-bath ranch home, located on the southeast side of Monmouth in a rural setting. Built in 1968, the home offers 988 square feet on the main floor and sits on a spacious lot of just over 1.5 acres, providing privacy, open space, and flexibility for a variety of uses. The home features a functional
Just minutes northeast of Monmouth, this all-wooded property offers the perfect balance of privacy, recreation, and convenience. Whether youre looking to hunt, target shoot, camp, or simply escape into nature, this land deliverswhile still being close to local amenities. The property is well known for frequent wildlife activity, including deer, turkey, and small game. With exceptionally thick
36.49 acres consisting of 14 acres tillable, pasture ground and timber. This property offers a little bit of everything. The layout of this property would make for a great building site, while allowing income from row crops and/or cattle. A small running crick runs through the middle of the property. There is currently a good storage barn on site with an old crib as well. Call today for your
Looking for a property with seclusion, income and endless hunting and recreational opportunities? Look no further! This property sits just minutes outside Monmouth off of 100th Street. The property has deeded easement access off the roadway on the west side near the center of the property. However, the seller has maintained a nice grass lane on the northwest corner and have used it by mutual
Warren County, IL | 126 Acres of Prime Farmland and Income Potential.This productive 126-acre farm features strong soils consisting primarily of Sawmill Silty Clay Loam, Keomah Silt Loam, and Littleton Silt Loam, offering excellent income potential. The property is divided into three separate fields, each connected by easements that allow equipment access from one to the next. Currently
Freshly painted with neutral colors, this 2 bedroom home is bright and welcoming with updated kitchen and bathroom. The entire interior of the home has been freshly painted, with newly added luxury vinyl plank flooring (w/exception of 1 bedroom remaining hardwood), some new insulation, brand new kitchen cabinets, countertops and sink, new gas range, plus updated bathroom with tile flooring, and
This 2 bedroom home sits on a corner lot. it includes a living room, den, kitchen, dinging nook, and full bath. The 1980 garage is 22' X 23'. Call for your showing! The home is currently rented.
Freshly Renovated!!! New flooring and new paint throughout! Large newly freshened kitchen, dining room that opens to living room. Main floor laundry room and updated bathroom. Off alley parking with brand new carport at back door. Priced to sell so don't let this one get away!!! Call today!!
INVESTOR ALERT! 3BR/1BA fixer-upper with strong value-add potential. 1,200 sq ft built in 1930. Interior clean-out already completed - the heavy lifting is done so you can begin renovations right away. Situated on a generous 63' x 158' lot (0.23 acres) with room for expansion, garage addition, or outdoor upgrades. Suitable for resale or rental investment. Excellent project to acquire now and
Welcome Home to 1142 E. Broadway! This 2-story home features 4 Bedrooms/2.1 Bathrooms, oversized 2+ car garage, and an in-ground swimming pool! This is a Fannie Mae HomePath property and is eligible under the First Look Period until 10/11/2025 at 11:00 PM. Sold AS-IS. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Enjoy lake life today!! While this property is across the road from the lake, there are great views of the lake that can be seen from inside the home sitting in the kitchen at the breakfast nook, or in the living room! Many updates have been recently done here at this 3 bedroom, 1 bath home, which include, converting the garage into a primary bedroom suite with walk-in closet, mostly new flooring
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