$258,020Average Value$142Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Monroe Center is a quiet and rural bedroom community close to Rockford
Living in Monroe Center, residents are close to Rockford but bordered by nature and the peaceful surroundings of the country. Few people and homes are in the area, where amenities are limited. But it's the remote atmosphere that homebuyers look for in Monroe Center. "It's basically a bedroom community for Rockford," says William Hunt, a former Monroe Center resident and Monroe Township assessor. "People work around Rockford or in the suburbs of Chicago and then live in Monroe Center for the quiet atmosphere." The area has a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4. Monroe Center offers more space, more privacy, less noise and lower crime, all while remaining a short drive from Rockford.
Even though Monroe Center is a rural area, lot sizes are usually under under a third of an acre.
Monroe Center homes are a short twenty minute drive up to Rockford.
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Rockford and Rochelle are both a short drive away via Interstate 39
While Monroe Center is remote and rural, it's not a far drive from some sizeable cities with shopping, dining, parks and employers. "Interstate 39 is less than a mile from most of the homes, and it goes north to Rockford and south to Rochelle," Hunt says. "Each is a 15-minute drive away." Downtown Rockford is 17 miles north, while Rochelle is 16 miles south. Chicago Rockford International Airport is to the north and has flights to 10 destinations. Chicago O'Hare International Airport offers more destinations and connections 74 miles east. No buses or forms of public transportation exist in the area, so residents rely on cars for travel.
Monroe Center locals looking for exciting events like Cycle on 2nd can head up to Rockford.
The Rock River Recreation Trail and the trolley that runs along next to it are about a twenty minute drive from most Monroe Center residsents.
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Houses come in a variety of styles but rarely go on the market
Most homes in Monroe Center are near the intersection of North Milford Road and Illinois State Road 72. The small center has a collection of farmhouses and workers' cottages that date back to the late-1800s. Ranch-style homes, bungalows, split-levels and Cape Cods are also in the neighborhood's most populous area, while limited new traditional homes and Colonial Revivals on many acres of land are in the outlying county. The median lot size in the area is 3.5 acres, but homes nearest the main intersection are closer together, with less yard space. Homes rarely sell in Monroe Center, but the average home value is around $250,000. In recent years, houses have sold between $90,000 and $530,000.
Modest single story homes are common within Monroe Center.
The average single family home in Monroe Center is about 2,700 square feet.
Some Victorian homes in Monroe Center can date back to the late 1800s.
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Schools are well-rated and sought-after
Monroe Center is served by Meridian Community Unit School District No. 223, the third-best district in the Rockford Area, according to Niche. "We moved to Monroe Center for the school district," Hunt says. "This was many years ago when our kids were entering school, but if we were moving now, we'd make the same decision." Children learn at Highland Elementary School from prekindergarten through second grade, followed by Monroe Center Elementary School from third to fifth. Both schools are rated B on Niche. Meridian Junior High School and Stillman Valley High School are both rated B-plus.
Highland Elementary School serves the youngest students in Monroe center and is locate about fifteen minutes west in Stillman Valley.
Monroe Center Elementary School serves third through sixth grade students and gets a B rating on Niche.
Meridian Junior High School boast a fourteen to one student teacher ratio.
Stillman Valley High School gets a B rating on Niche and is just west of Monroe Center in Stillman Valley.
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Two restaurant bars, with all other shopping and dining in the nearby cities
Shopping and dining are limited in Monroe Center, but "Dining options have improved in the last few years," Hunt says. "We have a few restaurants and grills there now, including Cruisin I-39." The restaurant pub has American food and beverages and is where many truckers stop while cruising along Illinois Road 72 or Interstate 39, hence its name. Maddog's Bar & Grill sits behind the Marathon gas pumps and shares a building with the area's liquor store. Chain restaurants, big-box stores, home improvement centers, and malls are north in Rockford or south in Rochelle.
The Double-O Saloon & Grill is one of only a few dining options within Monroe Center.
Monroe Center locals have few dining options in the area, one of which is MC Tap, a local bar.
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More recreation options at nearby nature centers and forest preserves
Monroe Center has one small park, south of the active train tracks that intersect the area. The park has two baseball diamonds, a playground, a swing set and a pavilion. Forest preserves, neighborhood parks and nature centers are in Rockford. A few locations have sports courts, mountain biking trails and fishing ponds.
Being a rural area, Monroe Center does not have local parks, but parks in Rockford like Sinnissippi Park are only 25 minutes away.
Monroe Center residents looking to get involved in recreational hockey head up to Rockford's Riverview Ice House.
Monroe Center families looking for a walking path can check out Kathryn A. Hamas Memorial Park in Byron.
Monroe Center Baseball Fields are the closest park to residents looking for outdoor recreation.
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Photography Contributed By
Edward Pokoj
Video By
Emily McNamara
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Judah Sameth,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Monroe Center, IL sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Monroe Center, IL over the last 12 months is $265,000, up 43% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Located in the heart of Ogle County, within the highly sought-after Meridian School District, this 5-acre property offers the perfect balance of privacy and convenience. With a beautiful, well-maintained home (newer roof, windows & air conditioner), multiple outbuildings, and a flat fenced pasture surrounded by mature trees. It's the perfect setup for horses or a hobby farmette while providing
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.
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.
