Sherman offers peaceful living with parks and easy city connections
Sherman is a tranquil village and suburb north of Springfield . The area is residentially focused, as homeowners carefully maintain each leafy subdivision. However, Sherman's expanding businesses and thriving recreational spaces assert that the village is more than just a bedroom community. "We are truly self-sustained," says Tracy Shaw, current resident and Realtor with Keller Williams Capital. "You technically never need to leave our community for anything you need." Yet, when venturing outside the village is necessary, a major interstate and Amtrak line quickly connects people to big cities, from Springfield to Chicago . The area's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Slow-growth neighborhoods have HOAs and new construction
Sherman has 22 residential subdivisions, and some have homeowners associations that uphold specific covenants. Each neighborhood has a unique layout, but common characteristics include wide roads, grassy lawns, mature trees and driveways leading up to attached garages. Most subdivisions have single-family homes with New Traditional, ranch-style houses or custom designs. A few assisted living and retirement communities are around Sherman Boulevard. The village's median price is around $420,000, close to the national median but above Springfield's median of $360,000. Shaw says most of the land in Sherman is privately owned, so development comes through slow, controlled growth. "If existing developments aren't fully saturated yet, new land won't be opened for more," she says. Regardless, the village has many homes built within the past 20 years throughout its landscape.
School district's renovations bring high-tech updates to each school
Students attend Williamsville-Sherman Community Unit School District No. 15, which has a B-minus rating from Niche. The district recently underwent renovations to bring high-tech updates to all three schools. In particular, B-rated Williamsville High School received expanded science and STEM labs, new fine arts facilities and improvements to the athletic field.
Recreation includes summer splashing, rail trails and river access
The village has several recreation options. Sherman Village Park is among the most popular for its spacious playground, summertime splash pad and outdoor amphitheater. Next to the park is The Rail Golf Course, which offers public access and membership options. The golf course butts up against Carpenter Park, a 400-acre nature area with wooded hiking trails, pond fishing and riverfront views. Farther north in the village is the start of the Sherman-Williamsville Trail. People cycle past thick forests, farms, open fields and deer as they travel this 4-mile paved rail trail.In 2023, an EF-2 tornado struck Sherman, damaging dozens of homes. The community has since recovered. Although the Springfield metro area is within the Tornado Alley region, Shaw says tornadoes are not a common risk.
Sherman has many local businesses, with more options in Springfield
The village has several businesses along Sherman Boulevard. "If you lack transportation or you have an aging parent, basically everything you need is within a couple of blocks," Shaw says. Options include an urgent care facility, a Walgreens pharmacy and County Market, the area's primary grocery store. Seaney Farms sells fresh produce alongside its wide selection of plants and flowers. Most dining options, like Sam's Too Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, are locally owned. There are a few chain restaurants, including a new McDonald's. "While our community is always going to support local first, this is a great opportunity to attract people coming off the interstate who want something to eat but don't know about our local spots," Shaw says. Residents are also within 9 miles of downtown Springfield, which has more retail centers, entertainment options and two hospitals.
Interstate 55 and Amtrak access make regional travel easy
Commuting is a must for residents who work for the state government or in healthcare. Business Route 55 and Interstate 55 connect drivers to nearby cities, like Springfield and Bloomington . While most people work outside the village, Sherman says local jobs are still integral to the community. "Our mom and pop businesses support us in so many ways, from sponsoring school athletics to offering our kids their first jobs." An active railroad carrying freight and Amtrak trains runs parallel to Business Route 55. While the nearest Amtrak station is in Springfield, Shaw says the train is a convenient way for people to visit Lincoln , Bloomington and Chicago. For even farther destinations, Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is about 6 miles away.
Annual events range from outdoor concerts to Christmas spectaculars
Sherman holds various events, from village-wide garage sales and ice cream socials to Fourth of July fireworks. During the summer, Village Park's amphitheater hosts a highly attended concert series and free outdoor movies. Around Halloween, kids trick-or-treat while people get spooked at Carter Brothers Haunted Hayrides. In winter, the community is decorated in lights, wreaths and other festive decorations. "All of our boulevards are just lit up," Shaw says. "Our community goes above and beyond during Christmas." Residents gather to watch a parade and tree lighting while listening to live music and enjoying Christmas cookies.
