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Paw Paw

Paw Paw

Rural Neighborhood in Illinois

Lee County 60518, 61353

$242,352 Average Value
$156 Average Price per Sq Ft
6 Homes For Sale

Quiet streets in Paw Paw move at a slower pace

The Paw Paw village saw its first residents in the 1830s. Today, roughly 1,000 people call Paw Paw home. With three churches, two schools and miles of working farmland, locals get together in the town center for public events at the Paw Paw Public Library District or over a burger at the Beaver Den Tavern & Grill. “While it’s a small town with few amenities, the residents of Paw Paw really get to know one another,” says real estate agent Kimberly Lancaste. “Folks will see a friendly and familiar face wherever they go in town.” Residents who want to get away can also be at the Shabonna Lake State Park or shopping destinations in Rockford in an hour or less. Those who want to get away from busy city life and find a spot with quiet streets, slow-paced life and opportunities to know their neighbors, Paw Paw is the place.

Paw Paw is a cozy town with a great atmosphere for families.
Paw Paw is a cozy town with a great atmosphere for families.
Enjoy the charming serenity of Paw Paw town with your loved one.
Enjoy the charming serenity of Paw Paw town with your loved one.
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Unwinding at Shabbona Lake State Campground

When parents want to let their kids run around and play, they take a family trip to Lions Park. Visitors can practice their pitches on the baseball diamond or hang out on the playground equipment. Campers drive 10 miles to vacation at Shabbona Lake State Park Campground. Guests can hike along the serene 8 miles of trails before launching a canoe or kayak for a drift out on the park’s expansive lake. At the end of a day full of exploring the park, campers can relax at the campground and roast some marshmallows over a crackling fire. Locals who prefer to stay in the air conditioning while out and about check out a book, join the monthly book club or sign up to create a display at the Paw Paw Public Library District. The library also hosts summer reading programs for readers of all ages and Saturday story hour for toddlers.

Lakeside Dining is at its finest within Shabbona Lake State Park near Paw Paw.
Lakeside Dining is at its finest within Shabbona Lake State Park near Paw Paw.
The Boat dock at Shabbona Lake State Park is twenty minutes from Downtown Paw Paw.
The Boat dock at Shabbona Lake State Park is twenty minutes from Downtown Paw Paw.
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Farmhouses and ranch homes on wide open lots

Home prices in Paw Paw range from $100,000 to $430,000, and they’re usually sold in less than a week. “Sometimes we have 10 or 12 homes for sale, and sometimes we have none. It fluctuates with the seasons,” says Connie Shannon, a Realtor with Gaines Realty in Paw Paw who has over 19 years of experience. “People sometimes move here from the Chicago city proper for the cheaper houses, smaller schools and less crime.” Some farmhouses on large lots might sit on the market for over a month. Those who live closer to downtown Paw Paw often settle in homes with three bedrooms, detached garages, wide front porches and front-gabled roofs or ranch homes with enough property space for horses, chickens or goats.

Beautiful barns and farmland surround downtown Paw Paw.
Beautiful barns and farmland surround downtown Paw Paw.
Homeowners enjoy the sunny weather mowing lawns and taking care of their green space in Paw Paw.
Homeowners enjoy the sunny weather mowing lawns and taking care of their green space in Paw Paw.
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Paw Paw Library District events and Lions Club parade

The town is home to an active Lions Club, which meets on the first and third Thursday of every month. The club organizes the Paw Paw Labor Day Celebration each year, which features a car show and community parade. Residents also come together during the holidays for the Christmas Walk. Locals of all ages walk along Chicago Road to get hot cocoa at Beaver Den Tavern & Grill, hear a Christmas story at the library and catch the Christmas tree lighting. Paw Paw residents also have three churches to choose from: Paw Paw Bible Church, Paw Paw United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church.

Paw Paw Public Library is located just in the heart of downtown Paw Paw.
Paw Paw Public Library is located just in the heart of downtown Paw Paw.
When parents want to let their kids run around and play, they take a family trip to Lions Park.
When parents want to let their kids run around and play, they take a family trip to Lions Park.
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Joining the Bulldog pack at Paw Paw Elementary

Paw Paw Elementary School, which gets a C-plus, and Paw Paw Junior/Senior High School are the only school options within the neighborhood. The high school is currently closed due to the limited student population. The town pays to send the children 10 miles away by bus to Indian Creek High in Shabbona.

Paw Paw Elementary School, which gets a C-plus in the area.
Paw Paw Elementary School, which gets a C-plus in the area.
The town pays to send the children 10 miles away by bus to Indian Creek High in Shabbona.
The town pays to send the children 10 miles away by bus to Indian Creek High in Shabbona.
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Grabbing a burger at Beaver Den Tavern & Grill

Locals browse Paw Paw Fresh Market to stock up on groceries and other household items. It’s the only grocery option in Paw Paw, but residents have plenty of options here. Just two doors down from the market, hungry shoppers stop by Beaver Den Tavern & Grill to grab lunch. Customers can order a juicy Beaverburger, a fun name for a classic burger, or something off the daily menu. Locals can fill up their cars at Casey's and go inside to order a fresh pizza. Residents who want to spend time shopping or exploring a mall drive roughly 45 minutes to Rockford or over an hour to Bloomington or Donners Grove.

Grab a cold one with your friends at the Beaver Den Tavern & Grill in Paw Paw.
Grab a cold one with your friends at the Beaver Den Tavern & Grill in Paw Paw.
Paw Paw residents enjoy the local vibe and great food at the Beaver Den Tavern & Grill.
Paw Paw residents enjoy the local vibe and great food at the Beaver Den Tavern & Grill.
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Taking a drive to Chicago or downtown

Because the village is spread out, residents rely on their cars to visit downtown or nearby cities. Drivers use Chicago Road to connect to Interstate 39. Locals travel 2 hours away to visit downtown Chicago. Residents who don’t own and manage farmland might commute up to an hour away to work in nearby cities.

Shops located in the heart of downtown Paw Paw.
Shops located in the heart of downtown Paw Paw.
Silos and windmills surround most of the town of Paw Paw.
Silos and windmills surround most of the town of Paw Paw.
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Low crime rates and weather warnings

The CAP Index crime score for Paw Paw is 1 out of 10, with 4 being the national average. The village occasionally sees severe weather, including tornadoes, but Paw Paw tests its tornado sirens on the first Tuesday of every month to make sure the warning system runs properly.

Rylee Doyle
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Rylee Doyle
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Conar McDaniel

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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Kyle Cortez, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Paw Paw US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 2 4
Burglary 1 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$297,500
Median Single Family Price
$279,900
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$156
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Last 12 months Home Sales
13
Months of Supply
5.50
Median List Price
$291,950
Median Discount From 1st List Price
5%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
11%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
264
Median Year Built
1998
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,066
Above the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,677
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
222,155

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Kyle Cortez, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,285
Median Age
45
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$58,287
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$73,305

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
92.3%
College Graduates
12.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.2%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
12°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
26''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

27 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

1 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Paw Paw
Kyle Cortez
Right Start Realty LLC
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