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Washington

Washington

Located in Tazewell County

$255,009 Average Value
$141 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

A resilient community in Tazewell County

Deep in the farmlands of Tazewell County, Washington, Illinois, is the last city along U.S. Route 24 before the state becomes increasingly rural. This community is 11 miles east of Peoria and is defined by its small-town, agricultural feel. Washington is a resilient community of about 16,000 residents who have worked to rebuild the city in the aftermath of a destructive 2013 tornado. They’re grounded by Thursday night markets on Washington Square, Friday night football games and Sunday morning church services. “This is a great, tight-knit community with friendly people and plenty of things to do,” says Chief of Police Mike McCoy. “It’s a conservative, churchgoing community with good hometown camaraderie. People support the town and the things going on.”

Washington is located approximately 3 miles west of Interstate 74 and 3 miles north of I-474.
Washington is located approximately 3 miles west of Interstate 74 and 3 miles north of I-474.
Washington's motto is
Washington's motto is "Your Pathway To Discovery; Enjoyment And Knowledge."
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An abundance of land in Washington

Washington's housing options include bungalows, ranch-style and new traditional homes with a median price of $225,000, which is nearly $180,000 below the national median. Due to the area’s rural nature and long-lasting damage from a 2013 tornado, the majority of current listings are for land. “The problem is there are very few homes for sale in Washington,” McCoy says. “When we moved here [in 2017], it was hard. We bought a house that had just been built. A guy bought a lot and just built it. There are some empty lots, but there aren’t very many houses for sale.” He notes that demand is high and adds that buyers can’t go wrong when picking a location. “There’s a list of people who want to move here,” he says. “We get calls all the time from people who want to move here and who want to know which part of town to live in. It’s not like the bigger cities like Chicago where there are sections of town, you’d rather not live in. You can live anywhere here.”

Modern traditional homes are common throughout Washington.
Modern traditional homes are common throughout Washington.
Ranch style homes from the late 20th century can be seen frequently in Washington.
Ranch style homes from the late 20th century can be seen frequently in Washington.
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Washington Park District

The Washington Park District contains 260 acres of parkland, 11 miles of recreational trails and nearly 2 miles of natural trails. The city’s Recreation Facility offers indoor programming, while nearby Washington Park and Oak Ridge Park offer outdoor programming. Washington Park has a pool, and Meadow Valley Park has an off-leash dog park.

Washington features many popular running trails throughout Washington Park.
Washington features many popular running trails throughout Washington Park.
Residents of Washington will love the playground at Oakridge Park.
Residents of Washington will love the playground at Oakridge Park.
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The top public high school in Tazewell County

Three elementary and middle school districts serve Washington students: Washington School District 50, Central School District 51 and Washington School District 52. Washington District 50 gets a C-minus rating from Niche, and both Central School District 51 and Washington School District 52 get A-minuses. The city’s one private school, St. Patrick School, is a Catholic school for preschoolers through eighth grade students run by the Catholic Diocese of Peoria. All public-school students attend Washington Community High School, which gets an A-minus score and also ranks as the top public high school in Tazewell County on Niche.

Students are the highest priority at Lincoln Grade School.
Students are the highest priority at Lincoln Grade School.
Washington Community High School offers plenty of AP and Honors courses.
Washington Community High School offers plenty of AP and Honors courses.
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Washington Square taverns and a new Tangled Roots Brewery

“We have a lot of good bars,” McCoy says. “Most of them are not the great big taverns – they’re little homemade taverns, which makes them nice. You meet there, and nobody bothers you and you have a good time.” He recommends Parish’s Pub and W Down Under on Washington Square, the latter of which “has had a revitalization since they opened with new owners." McCoy also notes an upcoming addition, “They’re [also] building a new Tangled Roots Brewery in the square with rooftop seating. When it gets done in the spring, it’ll be a real hotspot,” he says. For dinner, he recommends Bernardi’s, a family-owned Italian restaurant that’s been in Illinois since 1933 and that opened a Washington location in 2001.

Lindy's Downtown Market was founded in October 1958 by Clarence ''Lindy'' Linsley.
Lindy's Downtown Market was founded in October 1958 by Clarence ''Lindy'' Linsley.
Parish's Pub in Washington features over 20 beers on tap.
Parish's Pub in Washington features over 20 beers on tap.
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A 2013 tornado and low crime rates for the Washington Police Department in 2024

Washington experiences snowy winters and humid summers. “It’s sort of funny: the river makes a big difference in the weather,” McCoy says. “It can snow in Peoria, and we don’t get any here, or vice versa. It’s a matter of whether the weather comes up from the south or the north, and it depends on how it hits the river.” In 2013, a tornado entered Washington from East Peoria, destroying an estimated 1,500 homes and killing three people. In the 10 years following, most of the neighborhoods have been rebuilt.

McCoy notes that crime rates have been lowering in Washington. “From 2023 to 2024, crime was down in 10 or 12 categories,” he says. “Accidents were down; criminal damage was down. We wrote less tickets; we wrote less warnings. People are paying attention to our distracted driving campaign.”

U.S. Route 24, CityLink’s Washington CityLift Service and the Peoria International Airport

U.S. Route 24 passes through Washington and connects it to Peoria, 11 miles east. “We just put in two new roads,” McCoy says. “One that would be Dallas extended and the other connects to Freedom Parkway and attaches lanes on the road to Menard’s and Walmart.” Residents with mobility challenges may qualify for CityLink’s Washington CityLift Service, which provides $2 rides within the Washington urban map area. Washington’s closest airport is the Peoria International Airport, 20 miles west, which offers routes to 13 destinations on three different airlines.

Good Neighbor Days and Thursday nights on Washington Square

Washington kicks off the summer each year with its Good Neighbor Days celebration, a weekend-long festival with carnival rides, a car show, fireworks and a 5K. During the summer months on Thursday evenings, Washington Specialty Shops hosts its Rove and Ramble on Washington Square events. During Rove and Ramble, local vendors set up to sell their wares, while live music plays and community members hang out, shop or eat. “Thursday nights are a big deal in the square,” McCoy says. The city has annual parades of the high school’s homecoming and at Christmas too. “Both of those get a lot of attention,” McCoy says.

Ellen Daly
Written By
Ellen Daly
JJ Starr
Photography Contributed By
JJ Starr
Matt Pangman
Video By
Matt Pangman

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Mitchell LaHood, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Washington Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$379,900
Median Sale Price
$385,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$385,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$97,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
41
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$141

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
3,456
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Median Year Built
1964
Months of Supply
0.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,843
Significantly above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,500
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,323
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
13,068

Open Houses

  • 212 Esser St, Washington, IL 61571

    $89,900

    • 2 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 728 Sq Ft
    • 212 Esser St
    • New 14 days ago

    Discover this delightful two-bedroom, one-bath home nestled in the desirable Washington Illinois school district. Featuring a spacious lot and an unfinished basement, this property offers so much potential for customization and growth. The home has been freshly painted throughout, giving it a clean and welcoming feel. Newer roof, windows, upgraded electrical systems, and a new HVAC/AC unit,

    Agent Photo
    Candace Martin
    eXp Realty
    (309) 258-7527
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  • 117 Cherry Ln, Washington, IL 61571

    $239,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 2,400 Sq Ft
    • 117 Cherry Ln
    • New 2 days ago

    Awesome 3 bedroom, 3 bath beauty with an attached 27x27 garage and a bonus detached 20x20 garage! This home was built in 1996 and lovingly cared for since. Huge rooms, a great floor plan, and storage closets at every turn! You don't want to miss this move-in ready home in an ideal location in Washington school district!

    Keesa Brown Keller Williams Premier Realty

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  • 518 W Bittersweet Rd, Washington, IL 61571

    $279,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,302 Sq Ft
    • 518 W Bittersweet Rd
    • New 5 days ago

    An absolute honor to list! This all brick Washington ranch has been well loved offering: 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, large unfinished basement, attached garage, great breezeway, and oversized county lot! Updated in July of 25: mostly new main floor neutral paint, brand new carpet, most outlets/switches on the main floor swapped, a brand new gut and remodel on the main floor bathroom, plus

    Nicole Grieco Nicole Grieco Realty

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Neighborhoods in Washington

Property Mix - Square Feet

Washington Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
15,124
Median Age
40
Population under 18
26.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$82,249
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$103,711

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.9%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
41.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.6%
% Population in Labor Force
67.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
35''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

45 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®®

57 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Washington