Locals say Paxton feels like a Hallmark-style home
Paxton has evolved from a humble Swedish settlement to a vibrant county seat with well-regarded schools, vintage homes and busy downtown area. These elements create a small-town feel not far from bigger cities like Champaign and Urbana, says Kennedy Glazik, a Paxton native and Realtor with the Nate Evans Group at eXp Realty. "I would say it's definitely a sought-after area," she says. "Our main street is growing, so it's getting the reputation of a Hallmark town, with a lot of new businesses, holiday events and a tree lighting."
Character-rich Victorians, and new homes to meet a growing demand
Early 20th-century features can be found in Paxton's American Foursquare, Victorian, bungalow and Minimal Traditional homes. "Paxton has no shortage of character when it comes to housing styles," Glazik says. A future 328-acre development on Paxton's southwest corner will provide new options for a growing city. "This development will bring a mix of single-family homes and condos to the area, and I absolutely cannot wait to bring these to market," Glazik says. "I believe it’s going to be a huge draw for Paxton and such an exciting opportunity for buyers." The median single-family price is about $270,000, significantly lower than in Champaign and Urbana.
Paxton schools offer STEM and early college opportunities
Paxton-Buckley-Loda Community Unit School District 10 serves the area with one elementary school, one junior high school and one senior high school, all centered in Paxton. The district earns an overall B grade from Niche. PBL Junior High earns the highest grade in the district with a B-plus and offers several STEM electives, such as flight and space and design and modeling, through Project Lead the Way. PBL High School juniors and seniors can participate in the early college and career academy, earning postsecondary credits through six different Parkland College degree programs. The high school also has notable music and agriculture programs.
Market Street shops and eateries bring life to downtown Paxton
Antique stores, boutiques and specialty shops offer eclectic finds on Market Street. "The thriving downtown gives people the option to stay in Paxton rather than traveling out of town to eat and shop," Glazik says. Several new businesses, such as Kino's Coffee, have carved out downtown spaces. "It not only has coffee but also does food, and it's a wonderful spot to work from if you want to get out of the house. There are always people doing that," Glazik says. Hudz Family Fun Zone is a new kid-friendly arcade with over 25 retro video games and analog games such as table tennis and mini golf. The new Market Street Grill hosts live bands on the outdoor patio. The menu features signature items such as cranberry pecan chicken salad and tomato jam flatbread. Kirby Foods has grocery essentials.
Paxton's signature events draw crowds
Paxton's Old Fashioned Fourth of July includes a full day of activities, from a 5K race in the morning to a lighted golf cart parade and fireworks display at night. Locals and visitors pack Market Street for savory bites at the Swine 'N Dine BBQ Contest & Festival. It ends with a country concert on the main stage. Paxton's Christmas parade is one of the largest in Central Illinois, with school bands, businesses, churches, car clubs and other organizations bringing festive cheer.
Paxton parks and programs for all ages
The Paxton Park District maintains several outdoor amenities and programs. Adults can participate in group fitness, volleyball and pickleball, and kids can join baseball, softball, flag football and swim teams. On Paxton's east side, the Coady Park complex is home to the city skatepark, dog park, pool, and civic center. The park features a playground, sandboxes, soccer fields and tennis courts. Pells Park, which hosts the annual Fourth of July celebration, has a sizeable playground and community picnic shelter with several tables.
Highways and bus service to nearby cities
Interstate 57 and U.S. Route 45 connect Paxton to major cities. Illinois Route 9 serves east-west travelers. Chicago is about 110 miles north, and the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana are about 30 miles south. The Show Bus service provides scheduled and on-demand service to the Champaign area. About 15 miles west, Gibson Area Hospital provides comprehensive medical care, including emergency services. Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal, about 45 miles west, provides nonstop routes to Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Orlando and Tampa.
