Riverton’s suburbs, schools and prices appeal to capital commuters
Riverton is a bedroom community on the east side of Springfield with a direct line into the state capital's heart. While the village was once a booming coal mining town where Al Capone would hide from the law, today, residents enjoy a much more tranquil atmosphere. Neighborhoods offer traditional suburban living, and the school district is a major draw for families. Jobs and events inside the state capital are a quick drive away, but locals enjoy clear separation from Springfield's busy roads and higher home prices. "Riverton is only 2 miles away from the east side, but it's 2 miles of county road," says Dominic Campo, managing broker at Campo Realty Inc. who has family living there. "So, it's kind of like an island on its own, even though it's so close to Springfield."
Homes cost less than even Springfield’s eastside neighborhoods
Many of Riverton's subdivisions fit the typical picture of suburbia. Sprawling grassy lawns, streetlamps, mature trees and well-maintained sidewalks line wide roads. Streets often accommodate both on-street parking and two-way traffic, even though homes have driveways and garages. Neighborhoods primarily have ranch-style and New traditional homes, but there are also manufactured home communities and custom-designed houses. The village's median price is slightly over $160,000, but notably below Springfield's median price of $350,000. "In Springfield, the farther west you go, the higher the prices get, so the east side is favorable for less expensive properties," Campo says. Riverton's median price is also far less than the median sale prices of Springfield's northern and eastern suburbs, so Campo says it sells very well.
Families seek Riverton schools with career-focused programs
"People want to get outside of the Springfield address and into the Riverton school district," Campo says. Riverton Community Unit School District No. 14 has a B-minus Niche rating and three schools serving prekindergarten through 12th-grade students. At Riverton High School, students can apply for specialized two-year programs through the Capital Area Career Center or participate in the Teacher Education Program at Lincoln Land Community College. Courses are completed during a student's junior and senior years. The high school earns a B-minus Niche score.
Parks offer sports fields, fishing spots and RV camping by the river
Center Park and Riverton Field of Dreams are sports hubs, with lighted fields for baseball, softball, soccer and football. Center Park also has space for sand volleyball, tennis and pickleball. At Veterans Memorial Park, people can fish at a small, stocked lake. The park annually hosts the spring fishing derby. Picnic tables and a pavilion provide spaces to relax. Wheeland Park off Third Street has public access to the Sangamon River for fishing, boating and kayaking. The park also offers several RV campsites. Oaks Golf Course's fairways are open to the public, but golfers can purchase two-year memberships.
Riverton has a minor risk of flooding from the Sangamon River but is susceptible to notable flooding every 25 to 30 years, according to First Street. "Riverton has flooded, especially around Third Street and the lower-lying areas, so we have to take that into consideration when selling real estate over there," Campo says.
Old Route 36 and I-72 connect residents to the big city
With few industries inside the village, Campo says almost all residents commute. Old Route 36 is a core road in and out of the community. It connects with downtown Springfield, HSHS St. John's Hospital and Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport within 10 miles. Interstate 72 is another direct line in downtown Springfield, while state Route 54 leads to the north side. An active Norfolk Southern railway passes through the village; however, Campo says the rumbling of industrial trains rarely bothers residents.
The village has a few bars, pizza places and everyday stores
Riverton has no central downtown, so businesses are scattered around the village. Kent's IGA Supermarket is the primary grocery store, and Dollar General offers everyday items. Chain restaurants and laidback eateries, like Gallina's Family Restaurant, are typical. Local watering holes include Conrad's Bar Riverton and Riverton Village Tap. People head into Springfield for more shopping and dining options, as well as annual events to participate in.
