Cities & Towns in Woodford County IL 🗺️ | Complete Guide to Woodford County Villages + Cities

Last Updated on: 19th September 2023, 06:30 pm

If you want to settle down in the Peoria metropolitan area, then you may want to consider moving to Woodford County, Illinois. Located just a few miles northeast of Peoria, Woodford County is a great place to live due to its affordable cost of living and great quality of life. Let’s explore some of the best places to live in Woodford County, Illinois, as well as a few other must-know facts about the area.

About Woodford County Illinois

Woodford County has a rich history and was once the homeland of several Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi, the Sauk, and the Meskwaki peoples. The county was established in 1841 and was well into its growth when the American Civil War started in 1861. Several men from Woodford County were enlisted or drafted to fight in the war during this time. Today, Woodford County is known for its low cost of living, affordable real estate, and close proximity to the city of Peoria.

Woodford County is bordered by the counties of Livingston, Marshall, Peoria, Tazewell, and McLean. It is 25.0 miles from Woodford County, IL to Peoria, IL, and 140 miles from Woodford County, IL to Chicago, IL.

• Woodford County, IL area: 543 square miles
• Woodford County, IL population: 38,467
• Woodford County population density: 71 people per square mile
• Woodford County median household income: $76,486 (compared to Illinois average of $72,563)
• Woodford County, Illinois median home price: $244,950 (compared to U.S. average of $420,846)

Best Places to Live in Woodford County

Are you wondering where you should settle down in Woodford County, IL? A few of the most popular cities and villages in Woodford County include Eureka, El Paso, Metamora, Germantown Hills, and Roanoke. 

Eureka

Nestled on the intersection of U.S. 24 and Illinois 117, Eureka is the county seat of Woodford County. Eureka has a population of 5,227 and a median age of 38.1. Eureka is known for Eureka College, which is a private liberal arts college associated with the Christian Church. This school is the alma mater of Ronald Reagan, who often returned to the college throughout his life to take part in events held by the school.

 

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When living in Eureka, you will have access to some of the most affordable real estate in the state. According to Redfin, the average home price in Eureka is $168,900, which is well below the national average of $420,846. Other top attractions you can enjoy after moving to Eureka, IL include Lake Eureka Park and Lake Eureka Disc Golf Course.

El Paso

El Paso is located in both Woodford and McLean counties and has a population of 2,756. After moving to El Paso, IL, you can enjoy the incredibly walkable streets of the city. This area is full of amazing restaurants and coffee shops, such as Java Cafe, Topsy’s Bar & Grill, and Front Street Creamery. Residents living in El Paso often spend time at places such as Franklin Park and Corn Belt Park.

El Paso is a very popular place to live among families. The city is home to top-rated schools such as Prairie Christian School, Jefferson Park Elementary School, Centennial Elementary School, and El Paso Gridley High School. Students and residents living in El Paso can also utilize the El Paso District Library.

Metamora

The village of Metamora was first founded in 1836 and was known as “Hanover.” The name was changed to Metamora in 1845 and has grown to have a population of 3,636. Residents living in Metamora have a median household income of $80,325, which is higher than the Woodford County average of $76,486. Of the 1,652 households in Metamora, 72% are occupied by married couples, 14% by non-family members, 13% by a female householder, and 1% by a male householder.

 

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According to Redfin, the average home price in Metamora is $170,000, and homes sit on the market for an average of only 11 days. After moving to Metamora, make sure you check out the popular Metamora Fields Golf Club, which contains an 18-hole golf course, a clubhouse, and a restaurant overlooking the greens.

Germantown Hills

Germantown Hills is a village in Woodford County and is located just eight miles northeast of Peoria. The village was named to reflect the large population of German-Americans that were living in the area throughout the 1950s. Germantown Hills has a population of 3,406, giving the village a population density of 1,995.2 people per square mile. This is a 63% increase in just ten years!

Residents living in Germantown Hills, IL are very affluent, with a median household income of $143,447 (double the Illinois average of $72,563). If you are thinking about moving to Germantown Hills, you can expect an average home price of $315,000, which is higher than the Woodford County average but still less than the national average.

Roanoke

Once a coal mining town, the village of Roanoke is now known for its cozy homes and small-town feel. Roanoke has a population of 2,065 and is only 0.9 square miles in area. Moving to Roanoke, IL is a great decision for those who want a laid-back style of living. Downtown Roanoke is home to many local shops and cafes, such as Caleri’s Cafe & Bakery and Opie’s 116.

 

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Roanoke is made up of mostly single-family homes with two to three bedrooms. According to Redfin, home prices in Roanoke are down 21.8% since last year, with an average home price of $143,000. If you are living in Roanoke with children, you will be happy to know that the top-rated Sowers Elementary School is located in the village.

Other Villages & Towns in Woodford County IL

Aside from the five most popular cities and communities, there are 15 other towns and villages in Woodford County that you may want to consider visiting or moving to.

• Bay View Gardens: A village near Upper Peoria Lake with a population of 378.
• Benson: A village of 423 residents containing Roanoke-Benson Junior High School as well as Benson Community Park.
• Congerville: A small village in southern Woodford County with a population of 474.
• Deer Creek: This village is in both Woodford and Tazewell counties and has a population of 667.
• Goodfield: Located in both Woodford and Tazewell counties, Goodfield has a population of 936.
• Kappa: This quiet village is located along Interstate 39 and has a population of only 227.
• Panola: With a population of only 45, Panola is one of the smallest communities in all of Illinois.
• Secor: This bustling village has a population of 373 and is home to a fire department, post office, and several parks.
• Spring Bay: Spring Bay borders Upper Peoria Lake and has a population of 452.
• Minonk: Minonk has a population of 2,078 and is home to Sutton’s Park, New Millenia Park, and Veterans Park.
• Washburn: This village is in both Woodford and Marshall counties and has a population of 1,032.
• Cazenovia: An unincorporated community located along Route 89 with a population of 1,939.
• Cruger: Just west of Eureka, Cruger is an unincorporated community with a population of 1,715.
• Lowpoint: Low Point has a population of 148 and is situated next to Route 89.
• Woodford: Located along Illinois Route 251, Woodford takes its name after the county.

Jobs & Top Employers in Woodford County Illinois

Are you moving to Woodford County to find a job? Luckily, the Woodford County economy is thriving! Some of the most popular industries in the county include manufacturing, retail trade, educational services, and construction. According to the Illinois Answers Project, the median salary in Woodford County is higher than 75.79% of counties in Illinois. The average annual salary in Woodford County is $55,197.

The largest employers in Woodford County include:

• American Buildings Co – Custom-engineered steel building system manufacturer (El Paso)
• Apostolic Christian Home – The Aged – Senior care center (Eureka)
• Heritage Manor – Senior care center (El Paso)
• J.I. Case Company – Manufacturer of agricultural machinery and construction equipment
• Maple Lawn Health Center Inc – Senior care center (Eureka)
• Parsons Company Inc – Metal fabrication company (Roanoke)
• Snyder Village Health Center – Senior living community (Metamora)
• Trustees Eureka College – Educational services (Eureka)
• Versa Press Inc – Book manufacturer (East Peoria)

According to the Woodford County website, 82.9% of people drive a car alone to work, 8.9% carpool, 4.7% work from home, and 2.7% walk.

If you are on the hunt for Woodford County jobs, then you can check out the County Job Board or search for ‘jobs in Woodford County’ on Indeed.

Woodford County Schools

If you have children, then you may be wondering about schools in Woodford County. There are 12 school districts that serve the Woodford County area.

There is no shortage of amazing schools in Woodford County, IL. Metamora High School is ranked by US News as the fourth-best school in the Peoria, IL metro area. Nearly a quarter of the school’s population participates in AP classes and the graduation rate is 94%, which is above the state average. Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School is ranked as the sixth-best school in the Peoria metro area and has a graduation rate of 99%. This high school is known for its low student-to-teacher ratio of 11 to 1.

If you are looking for private schools in Woodford County, then you may want to consider the Linn Mennonite School (Roanoke), St Mary’s Catholic School (Metamora), and Countryside Private School (Eureka).

There are also many higher education options for students living in Woodford County. Eureka College is one of the most popular colleges in Woodford County. This private college was the third college in the United States to admit both men and women. It is also the alma mater of the late President Ronald Reagan. Other higher education options include Illinois Central College and University of Illinois Extension (Eureka).

Moving to Woodford County? We Can Help!

Woodford County is full of incredible places to settle down and raise a family. When you are ready to move to Woodford County, then let Federal Companies help you! Give our Woodford County movers a call today at 800-747-4100 to discuss your move.