$310,912Average Value$186Average Price per Sq Ft20Homes For Sale
A quaint, pastoral feel and neighborly spirit
About 55 miles west of Chicago is the small city of Plano, Illinois. Established in the 1860s, this rural community first made its name as the birthplace of the Light-Running Plano, a grain-harvesting innovation since nicknamed the Plano Reaper. Today, many will recognize Plano as the stand-in for Smallville, Kansas, Superman’s hometown in the 2013 film “Man of Steel.” Plano’s roughly 12,000 residents appreciate its quaint, pastoral feel and neighborly spirit. “We didn’t think we’d be here this long, but it’s home,” says City of Plano Alderman Barb Nadeau, a 32-year resident. “I like how quiet it is — not too far from the city, not too far into the country.”
Plano is 58 miles west of Downtown Chicago.
The community of Plano emerges as the first pioneer settlers arrive to establish farms.
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"A very proud and spirited business community"
Plano’s Main Street anchors the community with a few blocks of businesses adjacent to the train tracks. “We have a very proud and spirited business community, with a lot of small businesses in town,” Nadeau says. Main Street pedestrians can pop into a nearly 160-year-old furniture store, a pet supply shop, the local dentist’s office and more. Eateries on this drag include Uncle Lar’s Pizza, which has operated since 1983, and Ivana’s Café, a breakfast and lunch spot known for its Polish and German sausages. Just off Main Street is The Friendly Tap, a classic, wood-paneled downhome bar with a popular Friday fish fry. “They have the best burgers, plus specials all the time — a different one every night of the week,” Nadeau says.
Downtown Plano has great charm and a variety of businesses.
US-34 and train tracks run parallel to each other through the heart of Plano.
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From back-to-school bashes to basketball tournaments
Locals have an easy time connecting with their neighbors in Plano. The Plano Area Chamber of Commerce hosts year-round events, from a kid’s color run and a back-to-school bash to golf and bowling tournaments. Plano High School hosts several jam-packed sporting events, including its annual football game against rival Sandwich High School. “The high school also puts on huge basketball and wrestling tournaments every winter,” Nadeau adds. “They bring in student-athletes from various communities to participate.” Every summer, the city sponsors a midweek live music performance downtown, with food trucks providing refreshments. Independence Day week typically starts or ends with a parade and a fireworks display.
Reaper Stadium is where students of Plano High School can root for their team.
Sandwich Community High School has 595 students in grades 9-12, and is located in Sandwich, IL.
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Homes built from the 1800s to today
Most Plano homes are situated within the cluster of gridded, sidewalk-lined blocks flanking the railroad. Many New Traditional homes emerged starting in the early 2000s when the area saw a significant population increase. However, a few farmhouses date to the late 1800s, some having been restored in recent years. Ramblers from various decades, split-levels, bi-levels, and townhouses and duplexes with attached garages round out the housing stock. The average homebuyer will spend about $270,000 on a Plano property, which might buy a four-bedroom bi-level with about 1,100 square feet. Turnkey homes start in the high $100,000s for two-bedroom, single-story duplexes from the 2000s. Conversely, homebuyers could spend over $600,000 for a five-bedroom, 3,400-square-foot house on 8 acres on the outskirts of town.
The streets of Plano offer great walkability.
Plano has many beautiful historic homes to enjoy.
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Home of the Reapers
Plano’s independent school district enrolls students based on grade level rather than location. Kids from pre-K through first grade start at P.H. Miller Elementary School, which has a B-plus from Niche. They attend two more elementary schools before reaching Plano Middle School, rated a B. Plano High School, also rated a B, hosts just under 800 teens, dubbed the Reapers after Plano’s claim to agricultural fame. Along with year-round sporting events, students can participate in extracurriculars like improv and Scholastic Bowl.
PH Miller Elementary is located off of North Lew Street in Plano.
Plano Middle School serves grades seven and eight in Plano.
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Fishing, disc golf and $1 pool games
The 29-acre Foli Park is Plano’s largest green space. Here, visitors can fish in or stroll along the creek, play nine holes of disc golf and compete on the sand volleyball court. Plano City Park features a lighted softball field, a playground and creek views of its own. Indoor recreation is available on Main Street at Hometown Lanes & Sports Bar. This nostalgic bowling alley features original wood on its lanes, tournaments, leagues and $1 games of pool.
The play set at Plano City Park is shaded nicely by large oak trees.
Enjoy the scenic view on one of Foli Park's benches.
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Work in town or commute to Chicago
Amtrak serves Plano’s train station with roughly hour-long trips to Chicago. Many residents work locally, thanks to the city’s Menards Distribution Center and the Plano Molding Company. The latter is a prominent producer of hunting and fishing gear and operates a warehouse and an outlet store in town. “If you own a tackle box, that’s probably where it comes from!” Nadeau says. Farmers producing corn, soybeans, beef and other products also call the area home.
Plano station is also known as the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Depot.
Plano Molding is a large fishing and hunting store in Plano.
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Written By
Tina Davis
Photography Contributed By
Corey West
Video By
Jonathan Bradley
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Thomas Wolfe,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Plano, IL sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Plano, IL over the last 12 months is $293,400, up 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Location, location, location! Prime location with frontage off Ogaden and thousands of cars pass Dailey for exposure! Vacant lot available for immediate possession. Outstanding opportunity awaits! Prime commercial property on RT 34 in Plano. Lot size approx. 120x130 corner lot- great location for future business! Property is clean- IL EPA paperwork on file. Cut outs on both Rt 34 and South St.
Stanislaw KrozelRoyal Service Realty Chicago Metro Properties
Car lovers, hobbyists, or business owners, this is the garage you've been waiting for! The impressive 26'x36' garage features a 10K Rotary two-post lift, a four-post lift that can be used as a stacker, and optional professional-grade equipment including a compressor, tire machine, welders, blasting cabinet, torch, floor jacks, and a full mechanic's tool set.This beautiful 5-bedroom, 3-full-bath
Excellent opportunity to purchase 171 partially improved single-family lots and sites for 108 duplexes. Minutes from Yorkville's new data center developments; this site is ideally located to meet housing demand from tech workers and contractors. Significant improvements completed-save big on development costs and reduce your time to market. 10 minutes from Yorkville, near schools, shopping, and
Special offer: Pay just 75% of your base rent (taxes and fees not included) as your security deposit, valid for new applicants who sign a 12-month lease by December 31, 2025. Offer is contingent on application approval and execution of a lease agreement. Other terms and conditions may apply. This property is professionally managed by AMH Living, a leading single-family rental company. We work to
Enjoy this Lakewood Springs spacious town home! This Community offers a Clubhouse, Pool, Tennis, Parks & Ponds. This fabulous 3-BR/2.1 Bath with a large loft area for additional living space is move-in ready. Nuetral and updated paint main level, New gorgeous Flooring on Main level and in Master BR. great natural lighting throughout the house. The Spacious living room opens to a well Lit dining
Special offer: Pay just 75% of your base rent (taxes and fees not included) as your security deposit, valid for new applicants who sign a 12-month lease by December 31, 2025. Offer is contingent on application approval and execution of a lease agreement. Other terms and conditions may apply. This property is professionally managed by AMH Living, a leading single-family rental company. We work to
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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