$196,167Average Value$127Average Price per Sq Ft16Homes For Sale
Tuscola, the seat of Douglas County, is about 23 miles from Champaign
Tuscola in central Illinois is a small city with rural surroundings, with a population of about 4,700. "It's the county seat, so this is where the courthouse is for Douglas County. You can go to the bigger cities, but if you don't want to, you can find everything you need here," says Cathy Means, a resident of Tuscola and a Realtor with the Hillard Agency. Tuscola is about 23 miles south of Champaign. Tuscola developed around agriculture and the railroad industry and was incorporated in 1859. It has a long history as a presidential campaign stop, hosting candidates from Theodore Roosevelt to Barack Obama.
Tuscola blends small-town charm with local shops, parks, and historic landmarks.
The Douglas County Courthouse, completed in 1913, anchors the downtown square.
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Victorians to ranch-style, contemporary and golf-course homes
Tuscola is walkable; many streets have short blocks, sidewalks and shade trees. Portions of some streets have antique bricks in place rather than asphalt. Home options include late-1800s and early-1900s Victorians, Craftsman houses and some Sears Catalog kit homes. Ranch-style homes were most common during the second half of the 20th century, followed by a variety of contemporary and custom designs. Some early 2000s homes are by the Ironhorse Golf Course, which is open to the public. Overall, prices typically range from about $190,000 to $420,000. Means says there's room to grow: "You can build in Tuscola. There are still spots for brand-new homes."
Ranch-style homes are prominent throughout Tuscola.
Homes with Craftsman touches are a common sight in Tuscola.
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Downtown has seen a resurgence with new businesses
Downtown retains its vintage charm, with shops like Flesor's Candy Kitchen, which was established in 1901. Newer businesses are also part of the mix. "We have a wonderful downtown that has kind of revived in the last five to 10 years," Means says. The Cast Iron Pub opened in 2019 and offers burgers, sandwiches and local beers on tap. Live music, trivia nights and a dart league are part of the fun, and watch parties celebrate teams like the Illinois Fighting Illini of the University of Illinois. The pub is owned by chef Kenny Hogue. "He's a graduate of Tuscola High, who went on to culinary school and then came back. The new Hometown Grounds coffee shop is also owned by a Tuscola graduate," Means says. Kirby Foods has groceries covered. Sweet Petunia is an antique shop that opened in the former site of the outlet mall. Tuscola Breakfast Place and Star 57 Diner are also nearby.
Kirby Foods offers a full grocery selection and is open daily from 6am to 9pm.
Star 57 Diner serves breakfast all day and runs a breakfast buffet on select mornings.
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Community parks, events and the Tuscola Farmers Market
The Kelly Lock Memorial Dog Park is on the north end of Ervin Park, which also has a playground, pickleball courts, a soccer field and a swimming pool. The park, on the northwest side of town, hosts Tuscola Sparks in the Park for Independence Day, car shows and an annual high school baseball showcase. On the southeast, Wimple Park has a small lake with a fishing dock and has been used for a Cub Scout summer day camp and monster truck shows.
The Tuscola Farmers Market is held downtown on Wednesdays twice a month from June to September. The nationally known Rural Life Antique Show comes to town for weekends in the spring and fall.
Ervin Park offers ball diamonds, courts, a pool, and a volunteer-built playground.
Wimple Park provides a quiet picnic area with benches and a pond stocked for fishing.
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Kids may enroll in schools in the Tuscola Community Unit District
The Tuscola Community Unit District 301 serves the area. North Ward Elementary School earns a B grade from Niche, and East Prairie Middle School has a B-minus. Tuscola Community High School, also called Tuscola High, has a B-plus and offers athletic programs including football, basketball and track and field. The high school's homecoming football game in the fall has inspired an annual, week-long celebration for the entire community. Some years, Tuscola goes up against Arcola. The school rivalry, which has lasted over a century, is nicknamed the Cola Wars.
North Ward Elementary School has 326 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1.
Tuscola High School has 296 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1.
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Walkability, Dial-A-Ride and three highways in the area
Dial-A-Ride public transportation for Douglas County residents is available by reservation. U.S. Route 37 is on the south side of Tuscola, U.S. Route 45 is on the west, and Interstate 57 is on the east. "People work in businesses in town, for the University of Illinois and at surrounding hospitals," Means says. The Carle Foundation Hospital is in Champaign, and health center Sarah Bush Lincoln is in Mattoon.
Amtrak and freight trains pass through but don't stop; the closest stations are in Champaign and Mattoon. "I live a block and a half from the tracks," Means says. "Trains probably go through four times a day, and they don't really create any issues." About 20 miles to the north, the University of Illinois-Willard Airport offers nonstop flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
The Carle Foundation Hospital provides emergency, surgical, and specialty care.
Willard Airport manages about 46,000 aircraft operations per year.
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Some had considered Tuscola a sundown town
From its early years and into the 20th century, Tuscola was considered by some to be a sundown town, a racially discriminatory municipality that warned non-whites to leave before sunset. These days, Tuscola’s population is listed as about 91% white according to U.S. Census estimates.
Written By
Robin Silberman
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jake Patterson,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Tuscola, IL sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Tuscola, IL over the last 12 months is $169,500, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Totally renovated 150 year old home on quaint brick street with other beautiful older homes. The large wrap around front porch welcomes you into the home where high ceilings, original wood trim and staircase and warm new 3/4" natural oak hardwood floors will impress. The flexible open floor plan spotlights the large brand new kitchen featuring natural wood cabinets with soft close drawers, double
Step into timeless charm with this breathtaking Victorian 5-bedroom home, showcasing original wood trim, an elegant staircase, and stunning architectural character throughout. The first floor offers a full bath, two original pocket doors, and a beautifully updated family room featuring a new gas-insert fireplace with custom tile surround. Take in the well-kept hardwood floors throughout that flow
Move-in ready 2024 new build offering 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, thoughtfully designed with future expansion in mind. This home features an open-concept layout with quartz countertops, a spacious island, and stylish leather pedestal bar chairs that convey with the property. Luxury vinyl plank flooring flows throughout, while both bathrooms are finished with modern tile for a clean, elevated
Welcome to this freshly painted 4-bedroom, 3-full-bath home perfectly positioned with a stunning view of the green on Hole 10. Featuring a beautifully maintained brick exterior, this home combines timeless curb appeal with major updates - including a brand-new roof and HVAC system installed in 2025, offering peace of mind for years to come. Inside, you'll find spacious, light-filled living areas,
Welcome to 707 E Van Allen in Tuscola-a cozy 2-bedroom, 1-bath home with an attached garage, set on a rarely available 0.23-acre lot. This oversized yard offers space to garden, relax, or expand-all within the comfort of a quiet neighborhood. Just a short walk from Tuscola High School, this home is ideally located in one of Central Illinois' most welcoming communities. Tuscola is known for its
Welcome to this charming home located at 902 Fleetwood Dr in Tuscola, IL. This inviting residence boasts three spacious bedrooms and two full bathrooms, providing ample space for comfort and relaxation. The open-concept living area is appropriate for entertaining, featuring a well-appointed kitchen with modern appliances. Enjoy outdoor living on the generous deck overlooking the landscaped
Stunning New Construction Home in Charming Tuscola! Welcome to this beautifully crafted New Construction home nestled in the heart of small-town Tuscola! Boasting 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 modern bathrooms, and a 2-car attached garage, this home offers the perfect blend of style, comfort, and functionality. From the moment you walk in, you'll notice the attention to detail in every room. Clean
Possibilities are nearly endless with this property. Not only do you have two garages and a double lot, there is a usable basement, attic storage and a second story that has served as sleeping quarters for three children. Features include a roomy kitchen, hardwood floors and central air throughout. The upstairs is actually larger than the square footage reflects due to room lines. The current
Great opportunity! This 1 bedroom, 1 bath home sits on a large lot with plenty of yard space. Ideal investment property with strong rental potential or perfect for buyers needing a home of their own. The spacious yard offers endless possibilities for outdoor living and gardening. This property could make a great addition to an investment portfolio or a cozy place to call home.
Welcome home to this Completely remodeled 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath home. This home offers modern updates throughout. Renovations include updated electrical and plumbing, new windows, new drywall, fresh paint, new sump pump, a brand-new HVAC system and modern vinyl plank flooring that flows throughout the main living areas. Beautiful new kitchen features updated cabinetry, countertops, and appliances.
Nice three-bedroom, two-bath home is available in Tuscola. This property features and additional 24x32 detached garage in back, along with the attached garage. Sensational front room has abundant room for furniture and entertaining. The master bedroom includes a full bath. The third bedroom has been converted to a laundry but could be taken back to bedroom. All have hardwood floors under the
Discover the unparalleled luxury and comfort of Parkstone Villas - the premier residential location in Tuscola, IL. Our pet-friendly complex offers various living options to fit your unique needs, including studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments with upgraded kitchens featuring granite countertops, balconies for enjoying the beautiful views, walk-in closets, and in-unit washers and
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