From farmland to suburbia on Chicagoland’s outskirts
Oswego is the southernmost stop on the 46-mile Fox River Trail, just outside the reach of Metra's last BNSF Line stop in Aurora. Though some residents still pass cornfields as they enter their subdivision, the village follows the development trends of its neighboring communities: a walkable downtown on the Fox, longstanding subdivisions and developments just breaking ground. “It’s grown a lot, we have over 30,000 people now and there definitely weren’t that many when I first moved here,” says Erin Hill, a Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group broker who has lived in Oswego for 18 years. “I love the availability of all the different shopping and all the restaurants that have come out here, and everyone is really involved in the community.”
Prairieview Road runs through the heart of South Oswego.
Downtown Oswego is filled with historic charm.
Oswegoland Park District owns & maintains 65 parks and 1292 acres including sports fields.
Shop among the beautiful old buildings on Main Street in Downtown Oswego.
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Midcentury homes downtown, new construction throughout the village
The median home price in Oswego is an even $400,000—about on par with the national median, but higher than neighboring communities like Yorkville and Aurora. Midcentury homes sit close to downtown. Infill, single-family home projects are popping up throughout the rest of the village. “Years ago, you used to see a lot more farms, but now most are being turned into new constructions as we speak,” Hill says. “There was also the new construction boom back in 2006, and there are homes from the ‘70s, ‘80s and 90s. You can find million-dollar properties or properties for $200,000.” Homes in Oswego sell quickly—about half the national average time on the market.
Downtown Oswego is filled with large stately two story victorian homes just steps from downtown.
The streets of Downtown Oswego are lined with mature trees that provide shade from summer heat.
Large brick traditional homes can be found throughout South Oswego.
Colonial styled homes can be found in Northwest Oswego.
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Shopping local in Downtown Oswego or hitting the chains on Route 34 and beyond
Locally owned restaurants, boutiques and offices are topped with apartments on Downtown Oswego’s gridded streets. Most big-box options are located along the Route 34 corridor, with a higher concentration on the east side of the Fox River. "From Route 30 to Route 71 is your main drag,” Hill says. “It’s not downtown, but it’s where you’ll find your Best Buy, Kohls, Target, and chains like Longhorn Steakhouse.” Shopping opportunities also extend northeast to Naperville and other suburbs. “What’s nice about Oswego is that you can hit Orchard Road and shop the Randall Road corridor, or take Ogden Avenue to Route 59 shopping,” Hill says. “Everything's only 20-to-30 minutes away.”
Blaine's Farm & Fleet offers a variety of items, including clothing, auto & farm supplies.
The major roadway intersection of 30 and 34 offers multiple shopping and restaurant options.
Downtown Oswego is a nice place to relax with a friend while shopping on the main street.
North Oswego residents can head Downtown for boutique shops like Mod Stitch Company.
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Fox River recreation and parks throughout “Oswegoland”
“I’ve done quite a bit of kayaking on the Fox River from Hudson Crossing Park downtown,” Hill says. “You can go all the way up to Aurora.” Locals can swap a boat for a bike on the Fox River Trail and travel up to 46 miles north to Algonquin. Northwest Oswego is home to Fox Bend Golf Course—a public, 18-hole greenway—and the Oswegoland Park District manages 66 other parks, natural areas and sports centers throughout the village, along with dance and theater programs for many age groups. Cold Illinois winters may mean indoor programs at the Little White School Museum or Oswego Public Library, or trips to the Prairie Point Community Park ice skating rink.
A resident practices his guitar along the Fox River in Downtown Oswego.
North Oswego residents take a stroll on the Waubonsie Trail through their neighborhood.
Eagle Ridge Disc Golf Course is a local favorite in Northwest Oswego.
South Oswego residents can enjoy an afternoon at the Prairie Point Skatepark.
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Schools in Oswego and Yorkville
Oswego Community Unit School District No. 308 scores an A-minus from Niche and covers most of the village—though the westward outskirts are zoned for Yorkville Community Unit School District No. 115, also rated A-minus. Some kids are close enough to their neighborhood elementary or middle school to walk, though bus transportation is provided throughout both districts. High schools in Oswego and Yorkville offer dual credit opportunities through Waubonsee Community College at its Plano or Aurora campuses.
Fox Chase Elementary School is an above average school in Oswego, according to Niche.
Send your kids to Southbury Public Elementary School of South Oswego.
Traughber Jr High School
Public Middle School of
South Oswego, IL.
Oswego High boasts an impressive overall Niche score of A-minus with diversity and sports.
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A car-dependent community with nearby Metra connections
U.S. Route 34 is the village’s main east-west thoroughfare, intersecting with Illinois Routes 25, 31 and 71 for greater Fox Valley access. “There's a lot of people who commute to Chicago that live in Oswego,” Hill says. “You’re not too far from I-88 or the train stations.” Metra’s BNSF Line services the closest stations in Aurora and Naperville 7 days a week.
Crime rates in Oswego
According to the Oswego Police Department, the village's crime rate increased by less than 2 percent in 2023. The report cites an uptick in nonviolent property offenses like retail thefts and burglaries. Oswego’s overall crime rate remains well below state and national figures.
From the Oswego Country Market to carnival fare in the summertime
“PrairieFest is the biggest main event in the summertime, usually around Father's Day,” Hill says. The four-day celebration sets up camp in South Oswego with carnival rides and games, a 5k race and a closing parade featuring floats from familiar local businesses. More live music has been wafting through Oswego since Venue 1012 finished construction in 2021. The 4,000-capacity amphitheater hosts free shows on Thursdays and bigger acts throughout the year. “There’s also the summer farmers market downtown, various movies in the park and Oswego Beats and Eats with live music and vendors,” Hill says.
A father and son purchase a pound of fresh fish at the Oswego Country Market.
Popular carnival rides such as "Freak Out" can be found throughout the Fall Carnival.
Residents love bringing their dogs to the annual Fox Fall Fest.
Plenty of holiday wreaths can be found at the annual Holiday Craft Fair in South Oswego.
On average, homes in Oswego, IL sell after 32 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Oswego, IL over the last 12 months is $488,000, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$489,160
Median Sale Price
$488,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$522,490
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$384,990
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$270,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
251
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-9%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$220
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
8,127
Number of Homes for Sale
34
Median Year Built
2017
Months of Supply
1.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,659
Significantly above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,721
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,326
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
903
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,890
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Oswego, IL
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Wolfs Crossing Elementary School
A-
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#2 Grande Reserve Elementary School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 Churchill Elementary School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#4 The Wheatlands Elementary School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#5 Lakewood Creek Elementary School
B
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#6 Circle Center Grade School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#7 Hunt Club Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#8 Southbury Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#9 Prairie Point Elementary School
A-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Bednarcik Jr. High School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#2 Murphy Junior High School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#3 Plank Junior High School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#4 Traughber Junior High School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#5 Yorkville Middle School
A-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#6 Thompson Jr. High School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#7 East View Academy School
#8 Goal - Granting Opportunities For Alternative Livi
#9 Traughber Junior High
Best Public High Schools
#1 Oswego East High School
A-
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#2 Oswego High School
A-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#3 Yorkville High School
A-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#4 East View Academy School
#5 Goal - Granting Opportunities For Alternative Livi
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.
