$189,047Average Value$109Average Price per Sq Ft15Homes For Sale
Princeton is an active town in central Illinois
The charming central Illinois city of Princeton is known for its historic architecture and community activity. This community keeps a busy year-round schedule of events and boasts two historic Main Street commercial districts. Princeton is also the county seat of Bureau County. Traditionally an agricultural community, it is surrounded by farmland while being conveniently located to Interstate 80. “It’s a really friendly town,” says Roxana Noble of BHHS Central Illinois Realtors, who lives in Princeton and is a lifelong resident of the area. “If you don’t know people when you come here, you sure will in a week. Princeton has a lot of things going for everyone. We have art exhibits, a beautiful library and fairgrounds that have lots of different activities and attractions from spring through the fall. It’s a medium-sized town that has an intimate feel or can feel like you are in the city.”
Princeton features a small downtown area with plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy.
Princeton residents have no shortage of nature trails to explore.
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Historic architecture stands out
The community features a collection of mostly older homes, several of which have recently been renovated. The Colonial Revival style is most common, and bungalows are also prominent. However, Victorian-style homes stand out the most for their striking architecture. Most homes are found on traditional neighborhood streets shaded by mature trees. Midcentury ranch-style homes and contemporary homes with driveways and attached garages are found in other residential settings, including dedicated subdivisions. Acreage homes and manufactured homes can be found on the outskirts of town, and multi-family alternatives include townhouses and condos. Prices typically start around $90,000 and can approach $400,000. Residents can expect a climate featuring hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
Sidewalks provide convenient walking paths for Princeton residents.
Colorful vintage homes can be found in parts of Princeton.
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Homestead Festival celebrates the community's roots
The signature event here is the annual Homestead Festival, a week that honors Reverend Owen Lovejoy, a noted abolitionist and key figure in the growth of the Republican Party on the state and national level. “It’s kind of a celebration of the founding of our town,” Noble says. “There’s a huge parade, and lunch in the park by the courthouse.” Lovejoy’s Princeton home, a stop on the Underground Railroad, is now a museum. The community is also home to the Bureau County Historical Society. Other popular Princeton events include the Bureau County Fair and the Z Tour Bike Ride, a charity fundraiser that begins and ends at Zearing Park. Proceeds benefit the Zearing Child Enrichment Center. Several cultural events are sponsored by the Prairie Arts Center.
Main Street features two commercial districts
Local stores and restaurants are concentrated along Main Street. “There’s the north end district and the south end district,” Noble says. “The north end is more historic. It has shops that cater to people who come in from the city. They sell a lot of unique items, and the shopkeepers highlight a lot of the town’s history. The south end is more of a modern commercial district.” The south end of Main Street is anchored by a town square that is the site of the county courthouse and Soldiers and Sailors Park. More shopping and dining options can be found north of downtown heading toward Interstate 80.
Princeton residents can get lunch at Niel & Shorty's.
Princeton residents can head to nearby downtown Ottawa for additional dining options.
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Parks, nearby river are popular destinations
Zearing Park features athletic fields and a fishing pond. The pool at Alexander Park is a popular seasonal attraction. Bureau County Metro Center offers even more recreational amenities in an indoor setting. Big Bureau Creek and the Illinois River are local waterways that cater to anglers and other outdoors enthusiasts. Golfers can play on nearby courses.
Field trips have a blast Starved Rock State Park near Princeton.
Come fly a kite in the fields at Zearing Park.
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School district includes five community schools
“We have a wonderful school system,” says Noble, a retired teacher. “There are multiple elementary schools, a junior high, and a high school with lots of sports activities.” Douglas Elementary and Jefferson Elementary schools, which serve students through second grade, do not have Niche scores. Lincoln Elementary School, which serves third and fourth graders, earns a B from Niche, and Logan Junior High, which serves fifth through eighth graders, earns a C-plus. Those four make up Princeton Elementary School District 115, rated B-minus by Niche. Princeton Township High School, which also earns a B, is rated as the second-best high school in Bureau County. Students can transfer out of district, but parents would have to cover the costs, including transportation and tuition fees.
Educational opportunities abound at Logan Junior High School.
After school programs at Princeton High School are plentiful.
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Amtrak connection to Chicago is a popular amenity
OSF Saint Clare Medical Center is a convenient community hospital. I-80 and nearby I-39 provide access to points of interest nearby, such as the La Salle-Peru region. Peoria is a little over 50 miles away via Illinois Route 29. That city is home to General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport. I-80 offers access to Chicago, about 115 miles away. The city is also an Amtrak stop. “We can hop on the train and be in Chicago in about an hour and 45 minutes,” Noble says. “The ladies love it, because they can go there for shopping and be back the same day.”
Written By
Matt Pallister
Photography Contributed By
Patrick Kelley
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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On average, homes in Princeton, IL sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Princeton, IL over the last 12 months is $170,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover the perfect blend of space, privacy, and opportunity with this exceptional rural property located near DePue or centrally located between Princeton and Spring Valley in Bureau County. Tucked away in a quiet countryside setting along a well-maintained blacktop road, this offering provides a rare and versatile layout with a building site on each side of the road, ideal for a family
Cleared and level building site features 2.88 acres! Located in the Princeton Business Plaza close to I-80 and situated in a high traffic area. Zoned B-2, buyer is responsible for verification of use.
Just outside of Princeton, this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath two-story home sits on a peaceful 1.39-acre setting-offering the ideal mix of country charm and modern comfort. Step inside and you'll find massive updates throughout, including all new drywall, electrical, plumbing, flooring, lighting, and more-everything done so you can move right in and relax. The tall ceilings and
Cute 2 bedroom 1st floor apartment close to downtown shopping and restaurants. There are laundry hookups in the unit, if tenant wishes to supply their own washer and dryer. Water, sewer, and garbage included in rent. No smoking or animals; there is a fee per adult for the application- background & credit check
One bedroom, one bath recently updated main floor apartment with enclosed porch. Owner pays heat, tenant pays all other utilities. No pets and no smoking.
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