$256,480Average Value$115Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
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.”
Starved Rock State Park covers about 2,630 acres and features waterfalls, trails, and more.
The riverfront village of North Utica, affectionately known as “Utica,” features a walkable downtown surrounded by scenic bluffs and natural beauty.
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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 banner promoting the annual Burgoo Festival, one of North Utica’s largest and longest-running events, hosted by the La Salle County Historical Society.
The La Salle County Historical Society and Museum in North Utica, which preserves the region’s heritage and sponsors community favorites like Wild Bill Days and the Burgoo Festival.
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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.
Colonial-inspired homes like this one line the quiet, walkable streets of North Utica.
Victorian and Colonial-style homes stand out in North Utica’s established neighborhoods, offering spacious layouts and timeless architecture at prices that remain attractively affordable for Chicago-area buyers.
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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.
The newly opened Market on Mill retail plaza adds fresh energy to North Utica’s Mill Street, featuring local shops, outdoor seating, and a lively community atmosphere.
The La Salle County Historical Society’s Canal Market hosts weekend vendors from May through September and events like Vintage Illinois, North Utica's long-running wine festival.
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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.
Carey Memorial Park is a community park featuring a playground, a baseball field, and more.
The Illinois River and its tributaries in North Utica are known for their Walleye fishing.
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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.
The Waltham School has 254 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1.
La Salle-Peru Township High School has 1,191 and an overall B grade according to Niche.
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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.
An hour from North Utica, General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport opened in 1932.
20 mins East of North Utica, OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center is a 97-bed hospital that has provided care since 1895.
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Written By
Matt Pallister
Photography Contributed By
David Strayer
Video By
Chris Freeman
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rafay Qamar,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in North Utica, IL sell after 122 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in North Utica, IL over the last 12 months is $163,250, down 23% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Beautiful spot to build your dream home. Large 1.8 acre lot on cul-de-sac! Established subdivision near golf course, parks, Starved Rock and historic downtown Utica!
Andrea GreenwaltDickerson & Nieman Realtors - Peru
Starved Rock area at it's finest ! This Cute, quiet 2 bedroom, 1 bath duplex all on one level, in one of Utica's most desired subdivisions. This convenient duplex has been freshly painted - features main level laundry with a service door onto the patio and backyard; garage & large beautiful yard with garden space and loads of flowers and nice patio. Location is everything. Just minutes from I-80
RENT RESORT STYLE LIVING!!!!Enjoy the charming village of Utica in this neat as a pin freshly painted and fully furnished 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms villa in Grand Bear resort, located in the heart of Starved Rock State park. Open Floor Plan. Fully furnished 2 bedrooms, 2 bath, master bedroom whirlpool tub, 2 fireplaces, laminated floors. Brand new granite countertops. Cable, internet, water, snow
Live in quiet, quaint, historic Utica - short term leases available. FULLY FURNISHED one bedroom unit packed full with all the amenities - ALL UTILITIES including, internet, WiFi, electric, gas, laundry, trash - laundry in basement - All units individually decorated with different appointments. This unit has a big screen TV, a large great room, dining and living area with a dining or work table.
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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