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Tuscola, IL Homes for Sale

Tuscola

Tuscola is a city in Douglas County and is currently the county seat.  The city got its start in 1869 with the electing of O.C. Hackett as a founding supervisor.  Upon election, Hackett planted a grove on the outskirts of town known as Hackett’s Run.  The grove is located next to the family’s farm which has been said to have hosted president Lincoln during the Lincoln-Douglas debate of 1858.  Today, Tuscola is a city on the rise that has seen tremendous growth both in population and economy.

Tuscola Illinois Parks and Recreation

The parks and town square in Tuscola are meticulously kept and ideal for family outings.  Ervin Park prides itself in its state-of-the-art playground that looks like a town in itself.  The park also has athletic fields, a swimming pool, and pavilions available to the public.  At Wimple Park, residents can enjoy the outdoors in fashion.  Nestled on a manmade pond, there is ample opportunity for fishing bass, bluegill, and catfish.  There are also pavilions and picnic areas for family get-togethers.

Tuscola is home to the Iron Horse Golf Club, an 18-hole links-style championship course.  Open to the public, the club offers both single-day and annual passes for individuals and families.  There is also a pro-shop, bar and grille, and banquet center for events and weddings.  Tournaments are also held on the course annually.

School/Health/Transportation of Tuscola Illinois

All of the children living in Tuscola attend school in the Tuscola Community Unit School District No. 301.  The district is comprised of 981 students throughout one elementary, one middle, and one high school.  It is considered to be in the top 100 districts in Illinois both for athletes and teachers.  The University of Illinois is 20 minutes north of town in Champaign/Urbana.  The university is rated in the top 50 public universities in the nation.   Parkland College is also located in Champaign and enrolls about 18,000 students annually.

Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center is located 26 miles from Tuscola, in Charleston Township.  A winner of the Illinois Performance Excellence Gold Award for Achievement of Excellence, the hospital offers a top-of-the-line emergency room, women’s clinic, surgery, heart and cancer centers, and much more.  The hospital is also accredited by The Joint Commission and serves a total of 19 counties.  Traveling is made easy in Tuscola by taking advantage of the University of Illinois – Willard Airport.  The airport flies passengers to both O’Hare International and Dallas Fort – Worth.  For local travel, residents can take the Amtrak, from either Champaign or Mattoon.

Tuscola Illinois Shopping/Dining Options

There are many wonderful dining options in and around Tolono.  Monical’s is one of the most popular Italian restaurants in central Illinois and Tolono is home to the original.  It’ll Do is known for its small-town pub feel, with mouthwatering food including pizza, sandwiches, and a variety of appetizers.  The pup also hosts community events throughout the year.  Located in nearby Savoy and known for its outstanding service, Smokey’s BBQ offers BBQ that can’t be beaten.  Also known for wonderful service is The Ribeye, a steak mouthwatering restaurant a short distance away from town in Champaign that is worth the drive.  While in Champaign, getting dessert at Jarling’s Custard Cup is an absolute must.  It has been voted many times to be the best custard in IL and one of the best in the country.

There is shopping for everyone in the family around Tolono.  The Tuscola Outlet Shops are just south of town include premier outlet brands such as Coach, Under Armor, and Ralph Lauren.  In the summer and fall seasons, locals can take advantage of Market at the Square, a can’t miss farmer’s market in downtown Urbana.  Those looking to find a mall that has national retailers selling clothing, jewelry, and accessories will love shopping at the Market Place Shopping Center is in Champaign and contains high-end brands including The Gap, Carter’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Living in Tuscola Illinois

Tolono currently has a population of 2,900 and a cost of living that is 18/7% lower than the national average.  Home values have increased by 3.1% in the past 10 years and the current median home value sits at $138,200.  The average morning and afternoon commute is 17.9 minutes, which is much lower than the national average of 26.4 minutes.  This can be attributed to Tolono’s close proximity to both Champaign and Urbana.  Due to its location, as well as its significantly lower than average living costs, Tolono is real estate for families when looking to establish their new home.