Polo has historic roots, outdoor recreation and a close community feel
Polo, situated 39 miles southwest of Rockford, is a small city home to roughly 2,300 residents. Incorporated in 1857, Polo carries the motto of "Gateway to the Pines" for its location just outside of the expansive White Pines State Park. It's anchored by a historic downtown area and is known for its laid-back but involved community. "Everybody knows everybody, and you can definitely see that on Friday nights during the high school football games," says Allison Hawkins, a local Realtor with Keller Williams, who's been selling homes for over two decades in Illinois. "I'd say that the big picture is that you get a small, insulated town and you're still less than an hour from tons of shopping, dining and major employers, especially in Rockford."
Vintage homes dominate Polo’s housing market
Polo is not a community of new builds and modern homes, but of well-preserved and renovated vintage homes. Some of the oldest properties in the town were built in the late-19th to early-20th century and still stand, styles ranging from Craftsman to National Folk. During the midcentury, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes became popular around Polo, and construction largely slowed down at the end of the 20th century. Investment properties and small vintage homes typically sell between $32,000 and $100,000, while larger, renovated properties sell for $105,000 to $270,000.
Recreation in Polo spans from local playgrounds to state parks
The Polo Parks and Recreation Department maintains three recreational areas around the community, including the Polo Community Pool. Keator Park is one of the most popular and expansive green spaces, featuring a large playground, baseball field, basketball courts and pavilions. White Pines Forest State Park, in the neighboring village of Mt. Morris, covers 385 acres. Creeks and small ponds make White Pines popular with local anglers, and there are several miles of hiking trails that can be used for all seasons, as the snowy months make the paths perfect for cross-country skiing.
Localized school district and hands-on learning opportunities
The community has its own localized school district, and most kids living in the area start at Centennial Elementary School, which gets a B-plus from Niche. Students head to Aplington Middle School, which also receives a B-plus, before moving on to B-minus-rated Polo Community High School. Polo High is one of 16 schools that partners with Whiteside Area Career Center, located in nearby Sterling, so juniors and seniors can explore hands-on experiences in career pathways such as culinary arts and automotive technology.
Historic downtown has restaurants, shops and preserved charm
Downtown Polo is lined with vintage brick buildings that have been standing since the city's expansion in the late 19th century, housing antique shops, boutiques and locally owned restaurants. La Esmeralda Mexican Restaurant has been serving traditional fare to the community for years, while Jeff's Refs is one of Polo's long-standing watering holes. "I will say that Polo, it isn't big by any means, but it has more of a substantial downtown area than a lot of these little towns in the county. The historic buildings are well preserved," Hawkins says. While the city has essentials like a Dollar General and the Polo Fresh Food Market, more stores are only 13 miles away. "People just pop into Dixon for Walmart or Aldi, or you can get to Rockford in under an hour for big-time shopping or a night out."
Major highways connect Polo to Dixon, Rockford and Chicago
The community is crossed by U.S. Route 52, which runs 13 miles south into the hub of Dixon and connects to Illinois Route 64 just north. Route 64 is a major east-west thoroughfare stretching from Iowa to the western Chicago suburbs. Residents can take Route 64 or I-88 from Dixon to travel the 116 miles into Chicago to access all the city offers, including the major commercial airlines that fly out of Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The closest large medical center, KSB Hospital, is in Dixon.
