Rural living with city proximity in Winnebago
The village of Winnebago, situated just 10 miles outside of Rockford, is a small community built on the backbone of the agricultural industry. While new residents are attracted to Winnebago for a slice of the rural lifestyle, all without being far from urban amenities, much of the population is generational. "My grandparents built a house here, then my parents and now me. Winnebago is that kind of small-town place, where everyone knows everyone," says Allison Hawkins, a Realtor with Keller Williams who's been selling homes for over two decades. "This is still a rural, farming community, but we're not totally in the sticks. I can zip into Rockford for anything or get to Chicago in under two hours. Point is, you get the tiny village with city access."
Midcentury homes and the rare new construction
Tidy lawns and mature oak trees border the quiet residential roads of Winnebago. While the occasional New Traditional property will go up for sale, the market is mainly dominated by midcentury homes. "We don't have much new construction. We have a couple of big subdivisions that were built right before the recession," Hawkins says. "It's mostly renovated single-family homes, like ranch homes and farmhouses." The median sales price for single-family homes in Winnebago is about $250,000, higher than Rockford's median of $150,000. Winnebago's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Sports leagues in Winnebago Park and running the Prairie Trail
The Winnebago Park District maintains a main green space near the heart of the community, and it serves as the gathering area for the village's local sports leagues. The green space, referred to as Winnebago Park, houses a playground and basketball and tennis courts. The Pecatonica Prairie Trail, a paved 15-mile rail-trail, cuts through Winnebago and is open year-round. "It stretches from Freeport into Rockford, so it covers decent ground," Hawkins says. "People are on there all the time, walking and biking. Also, sports are big here. On Friday nights, everyone is at the high school football games."
Public education for local kids and high ratings with Winnebago High
Winnebago Community Unit School District #323 is headquartered in the village proper and serves all of Winnebago County and portions of surrounding communities. Kids in the area can start at Dorothy Simon Elementary, which Niche gives a B-minus, before heading to B-rated Jean McNair Elementary. Both Winnebago Middle and Winnebago High receive a B-plus, with Winnebago High ranked among the top five best high schools in the Rockford area. According to the Illinois Report Card, Winnebago High is designated as a Commendable School, meaning no underperforming student groups exist.
Seasonal events and pride in the village's farming roots
The community organizes events throughout the year, from huge fireworks displays during the Fourth of July to Christmas tree lightings. "We have this thing called Tractor Day, where in the spring for just one morning, kids can drive their parents' tractors and lawnmowers to school," Hawkins says. "Everyone comes out to take pictures of them driving down the main drag and filling up the school parking lot."
Local dining, quick essentials and shopping trips to Rockford
While Winnebago might not have sprawling shopping plazas, it has the essentials, with stores like the regional Sullivan's Foods and Family Dollar on the community's north side. Near the juncture of Main and Benton streets are several locally owned eateries, from the traditional American food at The Post Sports Bar and Grill to the homemade ice cream at The Scoop. "It's the traditional small-town vibe. You've got an ice cream parlor and a dive bar," Hawkins says. "Plus, when I need to go to Walmart or something, it's like 20 minutes just to drive into Rockford."
Commuting in and around Winnebago
Winnebago is bordered by U.S. Route 20, also called the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. Running nearly 235 miles, it's a major thoroughfare for northwestern Illinois and connects residents to cities such as Rockford and Chicago. Winnebago's location just outside of Rockford means it's only 10 miles from the medical center of UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital.
