$310,962Average Value$133Average Price per Sq Ft27Homes 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'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Written By
Ellen Daly
Photography Contributed By
JJ Starr
Video By
Matt Pangman
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dori DeWitte-Scotti,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Washington, IL sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Washington, IL over the last 12 months is $240,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome home to this well-maintained 3-bedroom ranch offering the comforts of main level living in an unbeatable location! The bright, inviting living room showcases plenty of daylight and a cozy wood-burning fireplace, with the chimney tuck-pointed just four years ago. Galley-style kitchen offers convenient eat-in space and appliances that stay. The updated main bathroom features solid surface
Welcome to Devonshire Estates! This stunning new construction ranch offers 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and a 3-car garage in one of the area's most desirable neighborhoods. The open-concept floor plan features over 2700 sq. ft. of living space a spacious great room with a vaulted ceiling and cozy gas log fireplace, flowing seamlessly into the living and dining areas. A sliding door off the dining
Spacious and welcoming 5-Bedroom home with a flexible layout featuring 3 bedrooms on the main floor and 2 upstairs with a walk-in closet. The unfinished basement offers 3 additional rooms, 1 already used as a bedroom (no egress), a family room, a second bath ready to be completed, a laundry area, and a separate exterior entrance. Enjoy a large, private backyard surrounded by woods, ideal for
COMING SOON - AVAILABLE FOR SHOWINGS 7/31/2026 This beautifully maintained 4BR, 2.5BA quad-level home is much larger than it appears! The fully applianced kitchen opens to the dining room, while the welcoming living room provides a comfortable gathering space. Upstairs offers three bedrooms, including a spacious primary suite with a private full bath. The lower level features a cozy family room
27.15 acres - perfect site for subdivision development - utilities at lot line; mostly tillable, gently rolling farm ground; Triangular in shape - see aerial plat in photos
Stellar location for this 4 bedroom cutie that backs right up to the walking trail/bike path! Vaulted ceilings and open concept in the kitchen/living room. Bright and cheery kitchen has breakfast bar and sliders to the back deck. Walkout basement features a family room with fireplace and 4th bedroom. Make your appointment today!
Don’t miss your chance to buy one of the sites available in the desirable Devonshire Estates to build your dream home! Convenient location is close to park, pool, schools and Five Points Community & Fitness Center.
Don’t miss your chance to buy one of the sites available in the desirable Devonshire Estates to build your dream home! Convenient location is close to park, pool, schools and Five Points Community & Fitness Center.
Coming soon....Welcome home to this charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath ranch located in the desirable Washington School District! This home offers comfortable main-floor living with the added bonus of a full basement, providing excellent potential for additional living space, a recreation room, home office, or extra storage. Step outside to enjoy the spacious deck overlooking the fully fenced
COMING SOON! Beautifully remodeled from top to bottom, this stunning 4-bedroom, 2 full-bath ranch sits on over an acre in desirable Washington. Move-in ready with extensive updates throughout including new roof, all new windowa & water heater (within 5)new furnace (2024), new flooring, fresh paint throughout, interior garage remodel, and beautifully remodeled bathrooms. Enjoy the serenity and
3 Bedroom,, 1.5 Bathroom Ranch Home. Hardwood flooring in most of the main level. Basement great room with walk-out needs flooring to be completed. Fenced in back yard that backs up to wooded area for added privacy. 2 stall detached garage. Schedule a private showing today.
Inventory is low, and this stunning 2014 Washington duplex stands out with refined updates and a move-in ready presentation. New luxury vinyl plank flooring and granite countertops create a sophisticated, durable finish, while the kitchen is fully applianced for effortless living. The spacious basement offers impressive future potential with rough-ins for a full bath and two additional framed
Don’t miss your chance to buy one of the sites available in the desirable Devonshire Estates to build your dream home! Convenient location is close to park, pool, schools and Five Points Community & Fitness Center.
Now Leasing for December 1, 2026 Move-Ins at Protea PlaceBe among the first to call Protea Place home. Opening December 1, 2026, this brand-new boutique apartment community is coming soon to Washington, IL, directly across from Cherry Tree Shopping Center. Protea Place will offer 56 upscale two-bedroom, two-bath apartment homes across seven thoughtfully designed two-story buildings. Every
Newly renovated Apartment buildings in Washington Illinois. The units are spacious, two bedroom, two bath with lots of living space! Walk-in closet in the master bedroom. Full kitchen furnished with stainless steel appliances. Each unit also has a washer and dryer. All units have a patio or balcony. We are pet friendly with a pet deposit! Garbage, snow removal, and lawn maintenance are
The Mallard Way Rental Community, made up of Camden Court and Mallard Lakes Apartments, features 68 units with a mix of 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom options. These newer apartments feature spacious room sizes, washer and dryers in each unit, and generous storage spaces. Our neighborhood is close to parks, shopping, entertainment, and just minutes from Peoria. Call us today to schedule your
Colonial Village is centrally located in the town of Washington, IL within walking distance to many stores and restaurants. Units include a 1 stall carport (Except for building 1304- assigned parking spots + visitor parking instead,) coin operated washer/dryer in each building, stove, fridge and plenty of closets! Resident pays water & electric. If you're interested in calling Colonial Village
**8 Brand-New Apartments!!!*** Beautifully landscaped. Private balconies. Enclosed garage. Vaulted ceilings on 2nd floor. Find out why these are some of the best apartments in central Illinois!
Step into this newly-remodeled and refreshed 4-bedroom, 1.5-bath home on S Cedar St in the Holland Dorsey subdivision of Washington. We are pet-friendly! Your dogs and cats are welcome at 120 South Cedar Street.A contemporary feel awaits in this recently refreshed home. Modern amenities feature whole-home Air Conditioning, an electric stove and oven, and a refrigerator. The
This 2 bed 1 bath is at entrance level and has several upgrades with a large living room, eat-in kitchen with lots of cabinets, bathtub/shower combination in hall bath, nice size closets. Painted a warm grey with white trim. Upgraded lighting, onsite laundry, extra storage, off street parking and bus access. It comes with an assigned carport. NO SMOKING. NO PETS.
Property Id: 473692 2 bedroom 1.5 bath duplex located in the heart of Washington, IL off the turn about. Walking distance to excellent schools, shopping, and restaurants. large back yard, washers dryer, on street parking.
Available now in Washington, IL! This functional 3-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom home has everything you need, plus some great bonus features.Enjoy a comfortable main living area, complemented by a partially finished basement that serves as a perfect rec room or extra storage space. Car enthusiasts and hobbyists will love the oversized 2-car garage, offering plenty of room for vehicles and a
Life is simple in Hillcrest, Washington, just across the river from Peoria. People work hard, mind their business, keep an eye out for their neighbors and try to live fair and square. That's how it's been as far back as memory serves and how it remains today. "I've been all over the United States, and I always come back here," says Washington native and retired Realtor Fred Joos, one-time owner of Joos Realty and a past president of both the Peoria Area Association of Real Estate Appraisers and the Peoria Area Association of Realtors. Joos has built 150 houses and five subdivisions throughout Washington, including Hillcrest. "Here, you're close enough to big cities if you need that, but far enough from them not to have big city problems."
A residential area on the last edges of the suburbs, the median year Hillcrest homes were built is 1978. However, there's a strong presence of mid-century ranch-style homes and split levels around too. "As you go further south, the houses get younger. You start with homes 50 and 60 years old closer to the center, then as you get further south, they're 20 and 30 years old," Joos says. The median price for a single-family here is roughly $270,000, with homes selling generally in the $120,000 to $300,000 range. Old Cape Cods built after the war, with decent kitchens and baths, can go from $120,000 to $140,000," Joos says, "but several larger homes have sold from $350,000 to $450,000."
Students in Hillcrest attend schools within Central School District No. 51, which has an overall Niche rating of A-minus. They may start at Central Primary School and then move on to Central Intermediate School, both of which score an A on Niche. Washington Community High School has an A-minus.
Most Hillcrest residents drive when they need to get somewhere. When they get going, they mainly take Illinois Highway 8 or US Highway 24. Both roads provide access to Interstate 74, which carries commuters to Peoria, where the area's largest employers are located.
Anyone who wants to shop or dine here can count on finding themselves at one of two locations. Cherry Tree Shopping Center has a Monical's Pizza and a Kroger supermarket. Freedom Centre on Freedom Parkway has Mariachi Mexican Bar & Grill for standard Mexican food treats. Shoppers also can find Cato Fashions, plus Menards and Aldi nearby.
Hillcrest has two main parks that attract locals' attention during leisure time. Bowen Lake Park has a six-acre, manufactured lake with a boat ramp and fishing pier. They keep the lake stocked. Meanwhile, Meadow Valley Park & Dog Park has plenty of space for dogs to run and is thick with tree-shaded nature trails.
For the area's major event, Hillcrest residents head south to neighboring Morton, home to the Libby canning plant 9 miles away and the annual Morton Pumpkin Festival site. The festival is a four-day event held in mid-September since 1967. The festival attracts more than 75,000 attendees.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Washington Has More Owners
Rental Home Trends
Number of Homes for Rent
7
Median Rent
$1,497
Median Single Family Home Rent
$1,744
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$1,497
Median Condo Rent
$1,048
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,048
Demographics
Total Population
19,459
Median Age
41
Population under 18
25.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$87,279
Above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$111,299
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.6%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
39.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.5%
% Population in Labor Force
66.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
35''
Area Factors
Moderately bikeable
Bikeability®
60/ 100
Fairly walkable
Walkability®
40/ 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and 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.
