Two highways and railways pass through the rural-adjacent city of Rochelle, Illinois. Nicknamed the “hub city” for its transportation network, Rochelle sees more than 100 trains travel through it every day. While the locomotives carrying millions of tons do themselves make noise, there are no train horns to be heard. 7th Street is arguably noisier, serving as Rochelle’s thoroughfare by bisecting its suburban streets from north to south. The city’s southeast corner gives way to many major employers, many of them providing blue collar jobs to the area.
Rochelle is a rural community with many local restaurants and shops in the downtown area.
Rochelle retains a rustic and peaceful atmosphere.
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Blue-collar jobs abound in the "Hub City"
Rochelle is full of employers covering nearly the entire alphabet. There’s AG Manufacturing, Bay Valley Foods, CIG Logistics and Del Monte Distribution, to name a few. The city’s future job opportunities appear to keep pace with its gradually increasing population. In November 2022, the city announced the groundbreaking on a new intermodal transload center. This new container yard will seek to reduce shipping costs from point A to point B and ease the already heavy strain on greater Chicago’s transportation routes. Another development on the way is an electrical substation, which broke ground in May 2021. This is the first step in powering the city’s industry leaders and may encourage others to set up shop in Rochelle.
A recently completed electrical substation supplies electricity to Rochelle's industrial leaders.
Rochelle recently announced a new intermodal transload center which will supply employment for residents.
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Quiet streets filled with older homes
The lack of noise pollution is an already persuasive reason to settle in Rochelle. Another is the accessibly priced inventory of homes close to local industries. Neat blocks of small lots stretch outward from 7th Street, showcasing split-level and ranch-style homes from various periods of the 20th century. “Along Route 251, there are a number of beautiful historic homes lining the streets,” says Director of Community Engagement and longtime resident Jenny Thompson. Of the city’s 4,000 homes, just 100 sold between February 2024 and February 2025. Homes also last about 38 days on the market, indicating both low turnover and demand. However, during a 12-month period, the average sale price increased by 30%. Buyers will find that these 3-bedroom homes sell for between $150,000 and $250,000, with a median price of $202,000.
Historic Victorian homes line the streets throughout Rochelle.
Updated ranch style homes in Rochelle can be purchased for an average of $202,000.
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Planes, trains and automobiles
Every homeowner living within Rochelle’s city limits is no more than 1.5 miles from the city’s center. This means commutes take no more than five minutes by car. While the area remains car dependent, locals also have access to trains and planes. The Union Pacific Rochelle Railroad Station is close to downtown, and the Chicago Rockford International Airport is 22 miles north. Rochelle Community Hospital is centrally located for consultations and emergencies. Residents can make the 80-mile trip to Chicago in about an hour and twenty minutes by car.
The pools, playsets, and parks of Rochelle
Most of Rochelle’s parks are small, clinging to city limits. Atwood Park and Cooper Park are adjacent one another, providing residents with an entertainment venue and large playground, respectively. The Atwood Park Bandshell is a popular draw for live acts. Cooper Park’s playground, volleyball court and basketball court make it a prime destination for young people. The Helms Park Athletic Complex is another spot to burn energy, thanks to its outdoor tennis courts and athletic track. History buffs might instead check out the Rochelle Railroad Park between the forked rail line. Kids can safely learn about trains in real-time as they pass through Rochelle. There is also Spring Lake and Marina, “where the community outdoor pool and splash pad are, as well as spots for fishing,” says Thompson. “It’s a hotspot in the warmer months.”
Enjoy outdoor concerts all summer long at Atwood Park in Rochelle.
Your kids will love watching the trains at Rochelle Railroad Park.
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Restaurants in a walkable downtown area
Many of the restaurants in Downtown Rochelle cluster around 4th Avenue and Lincoln Highway. At this intersection, residents will find a pizzeria, a Mexican restaurant, a bistro and several bars. Once folks make the short drive to downtown, most of these become walkable. A locally owned supermarket serves downtown-adjacent residents, while the city’s Aldi, Walgreens and Walmart Supercenter occupy the north side.
For a quick, authentic, Mexican lunch, residents love El Sol located in downtown Rochelle.
Residents of Rochelle can grab their weekly groceries at the local ALDI.
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Attending class in Rochelle
Students may attend either Tilton Elementary or May Elementary, both of which receive a B-minus rating from Niche. They then move to Rochelle Middle, rated a C-plus overall. Rochelle Township High School completes the list with a B-plus and a State Seal of Biliteracy.
Educational opportunities abound at Rochelle Middle School.
Courses in Reading, Writing, and Literature are available at the Tilton School in Rochelle.
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Crime and weather in Rochelle
The crime rate in Rochelle fluctuates but generally remains consistent with Illinois’ averages.
Rochelle’s temperatures vary a lot throughout the year. Winters reach as low as 14 degrees, while summers top out at around 82 degrees. Summer temperatures average in the 60’s and 70’s. Tornadoes in this area are rare, but in 2015, an EF-4 tornado hit the Rochelle-Fairdale area causing major damages.
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.
