North Utica is an active Illinois community in an attractive setting
The riverfront village of North Utica is anchored by a charming downtown and offers access to outdoor activities and a packed social calendar. The north-central Illinois community of 1,300, known to locals as simply “Utica,” celebrates everything from holidays to history and witches to wine. “It’s a lovely little town,” says Tom Guttilla, broker co/owner at Coldwell Banker Today’s Realtors and Utica resident. “It’s a very welcoming community. When we moved here, we found people to be very open and friendly. It’s also a beautiful area with lots of nature and recreation.”
Burgoo Festival is a highlight of a busy social calendar
The La Salle County Historical Society sponsors many events, including Wild Bill Days, a celebration of frontiersman and folk hero Wild Bill Hickok, and the Burgoo Festival, a signature celebration and fundraiser that began in 1969. “It’s probably one of the biggest fall festivals in northern Illinois,” Guttilla says. “Thousands and thousands of people fill up the streets, and there’s vendors and events.” Visitors can also enjoy a hearty bowl of Burgoo stew. Holiday-themed events have included a Witches Walk and parades for Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day sponsored by the Utica Business Association.
A mix of older homes on neighborhood streets and modern subdivisions
Colonial influences can be seen in many of the homes on quiet, walkable streets in the heart of the community. Large Victorian-style homes stand out. Some of the area’s subdivisions feature ranch-style and contemporary homes with driveways and attached garages. Midcentury homes in wooded settings can also be found, and townhomes offer a multi-family alternative. Prices typically range from around $125,000 to around $375,000. “The market is attractive to people coming down here from the Chicago area,” Guttilla says. “A lot of people come here and buy because of the affordability.”
Safety is another perk of relocating to Utica. The community’s Cap Index Crime Score of 1-out-of-10 is the lowest possible crime rate. The national average is 4. Residents can expect a climate that includes hot, humid winters, and cold, snowy winters. The region is susceptible to tornadoes. In fact, a tornado hit Utica in 2004, and that spurred community revitalization efforts. “They revamped the whole downtown area after that,” says Wendy Fulmer, an agent at Coldwell Banker Today's Realtors, who has sold dozens of homes in Utica.
Mill Street is the heart of the downtown district
The local businesses along Mill Street are a highlight of the community’s dining and drinking options. This community recently celebrated the grand opening of the Market on Mill retail plaza. Nearby Canal Market hosts a gathering of vendors every weekend from May through September. Canal Market also hosts Vintage Illinois, a wine festival that dates to 2003. More shopping and dining destinations are concentrated along the Clark Street commercial corridor, which runs through the community.
Starved Rock State Park is the top state park in the state
The Illinois River and its tributaries wind their way through the rural landscape on the south side of town, offering an array of recreational destinations and outdoor activities. “We’re considered the gateway to Starved Rock State Park,” Guttilla says. “It’s the premier state park in Illinois, in my opinion.”
Starved Rock, the most visited of the state’s 290 state parks, is known for its waterfalls and 13 miles of trails. “When people think central Illinois, they think cornfields, but we’re a little oasis of canyons, woods and rivers,” Guttilla says.
The community is home to the Illinois & Michigan Canal and State Trail, another option for outdoors enthusiasts. The area’s waterways are known for their walleye fishing. Carey Memorial Park offers traditional athletic spaces.
Well-rated community Waltham Schools serves PK-8.
The Waltham School is the lone school that makes up the Waltham Elementary School District. The community’s PK-8 institution is rated B-plus by Niche. It offers a variety of sports activities and cheerleading. Graduates typically attend La Salle-Peru Township High School, also rated B-plus. The high school offers Career & Technical Education courses. Students can apply for out-of-district transfers, but parents are liable for the full cost, including tuition in the receiving district.
Nearby I-39, I-80 provide access to Peoria, Chicago
Residents have easy access to Interstates 39 and 80, which intersect northwest of the community. The highways’ presence makes the region a hub for logistics and distribution. I-39 offers access to Peoria, about 65 miles away, and I-80 offers access to Chicago, about 95 miles away. Peoria is home to General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport. North Central Area Transit offers on-demand public transportation within LaSalle County. OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Peru is about 8 miles away.
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Written By
Matt Pallister
