Prospective buyers looking for an urban community packed with older homes and an approachable downtown area may take an interest in Downtown Pekin. While Pekin’s main street was as bustling as it had ever been from the 1940s through the 1970s, the city’s expansion to the east took with it many of those small businesses, and the neighborhood soon faced a period of decline. However, the state named Pekin a "Main Street Community" in 1999, and a local nonprofit, Pekin Main Street, has been working to revitalize the area. Today, the Pekin Main Street organization’s Facebook page keeps locals informed of what’s going on downtown, and whether it’s a trivia night, a happy hour, or an annual event, there’s always something going on.
Homes with history
Most homes in Downtown Pekin are more than 100 years old. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find residences built as early as the 1860s. Some streets are lined with smaller homes of around 1,500 square feet or less in styles like cottages and bungalows. Others offer grand homes with twice the space in more ornate styles, like Classical Revivals and Italianates, and situated on roads laid out in brick. Accordingly, the price ranges as much as the homes do. A fixer-upper can be picked up for as low as $30,000, while a fully-restored home can go as high as the mid-$300,000s.
Row of newer brick homes in Pekin, IL.
Two story Queen Anne-Style home located in Pekin, IL.
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Whiskey Taco's menu features a variety of tacos, burritos, and nachos.
Shopping and dining options on Court Street
The city's “main street” is actually along Court Street. Here, residents can browse mom-and-pop shops like comic book store The Zone, Peek In Pottery Ceramics & Art, and Aryabellas Boutique. Plenty of restaurants line the street. “We have a lot of family-friendly sports bars. For fine dining, we go to Peoria,” says Mary Ann Ladendorf, Associate Broker for RE/MAX Traders Unlimited and a top seller in the neighborhood. One nice place to go for a family meal, Ladendorf says, is Ashers Bar & Grill, known for their hand-pounded, deep-fried tenderloin the size of a literal vinyl record (half-portions are available!). Whiskey Taco is one of the newest concepts, serving up unique taco combos, salads, and grain bowls and offering outdoor seating. Two big-box stores, Kroger and Schnucks, are a few blocks away, where residents can get groceries and other necessities.
Events along Court Street
Annual events include Christmas on Court, which features Santa, live entertainment, and pop-up vendors, and the Marigold Festival, which Ladendorf says is one of the most popular in the area. “It’s very, very big,” she says. “There are 300 booths, arts and crafts, a fishing contest, and food extravaganzas everywhere. About 40,000 people come out for it.” Most of the Marigold Festival takes place at Mineral Springs Park, located about a mile outside the neighborhood, but a handful of festivities spill over into Downtown Pekin, like the Marigold Parade.
Four schools, two school districts
Kids in Downtown Pekin start their education at Pekin Public School District No. 108 schools, like Jefferson Elementary School, which serves kindergarten through third grades and is rated C-minus by Niche; Washington Intermediate School, which serves fourth through sixth grades and is rated C-plus; and Edison Junior High School, which serves seventh through eighth grades and is rated C. For high school, students attend Pekin Community High School District #303, which only operates one high school, known as Pekin Community High School, which serves ninth through twelfth grades and is rated B-minus. Pekin Community High School recently received more than $10 million in improvements a more secure entryway, a new common area, and a remodeled gym.
Washington Intermediate is a historic building located in downtown Pekin.
Edison Junior High School in Pekin is located off of Earl street.
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Pocket parks and a riverfront pier
The neighborhood has a couple of pocket parks, like Legins-Costly Park, which is located on Court Street and a good spot to sit and have a coffee while out and about. Willow Park is at the neighborhood's northern end, offering a small playground and green space walkable from many homes. Residents can also walk to the riverfront and fish from the pier at the end of Court Street.
Pekin is served by the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District (CityLink).
Catching the bus
Public transportation is available via the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District, which operates three bus routes in the neighborhood; two of the routes get residents around Pekin, and the third runs all the way to Peoria.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Downtown Pekin neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Pekin
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Pekin Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Pekin, Pekin sell after 43 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Pekin, Pekin over the last 12 months is $107,500, up 38% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Brimming with charm, this 4-bedroom, 2-bath home on a corner lot is one you won’t want to miss! A welcoming front porch opens into spacious living areas with fresh flooring throughout, along with formal dining rooms highlighted by archways and stunning natural woodwork. The updated kitchen features beautiful laminate floors and a walk-in pantry, while the remodeled main-level bathroom blends
Move in ready and full of charm, this 1.5 story home offers 3 bedrooms with the potential for a 4th. Located in Pekin, this home features beautiful real hardwood floors and stunning built in cabinetry on the main level, adding warmth and character throughout. The home comes fully equipped with all appliances, and furniture can stay if the buyer desires, making this an easy, turnkey option.
Henrietta St. Apartments are centrally located and within walking distance from some of Pekin's hot spots! The property has just received a fresh coat of paint, upgraded landscaping, and most important a newly renovated laundry room for renter's convenience! There are one and two, spacious, bedroom apartments. Some of our apartments have recently been refurbished with new modern
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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.
