Illinois Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Dixon, Illinois

Population: 15,941

Located in Lee County

Dixon is a thriving community of 16,000 serving as the county seat of Lee County in the heart of northwest Illinois. At the hub of four major highways and one interstate, Dixon is located in the heart of northwest Illinois, just 100 miles west of downtown Chicago. Rockford (Illinois' second largest city) and the "Quad Cities" of Rock Island, Moline, East Moline and Silvis, Illinois and Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa lie just to the northeast and southwest of Dixon.

Dixon's primary attraction for tourists from all over the world is the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, where the former President first learned the small-town values that shaped his future. The Victory Memorial Arch on Galena Avenue has honored veterans of our nation's wars since 1919. Just to the north of the arch is the Historic Dixon Theatre, which opened in 1922. The Dixon Theatre, once considered one of the area's most beautiful theatres, has recently been restored to its full glory.

Dixon is home to a number of festivals throughout the year; the oldest and largest is the annual Dixon Petunia Festival held the week of July 4. This festival celebrates Dixon as the "Petunia City" in honor of the tens of thousands of pink petunias planted along city streets.

Homes in Dixon accommodate a variety of lifestyles. Choose from modest single-family houses and apartments to luxury condominiums to elegant estate living. Architectural styles include early American, traditional, contemporary and modern. Residential areas range from traditional city neighborhoods to country settings nestled in quiet, tree-lined subdivisions. Many of Dixon's homes are tucked along the Rock River with gorgeous views. Scattered throughout Dixon are parks and recreational facilities that provide the perfect compliment of sports and leisure activities for residential living.

Convenience and personal service are the hallmarks of shopping in Dixon. Customers are greeted by name, oftentimes by the business owner. Dixon shops encourage camaraderie by participating in a variety of community events, such as the annual Christmas Walk, where people of all ages spend an old-fashioned evening in downtown Dixon. Shops welcome visitors with Christmas cookies and hot cider; the horse-drawn wagons will leave you feeling as if you were transported into the pages of Dixon's early history.

Residents of Dixon never have to search for things to do. The Dixon City Band performs outdoor concerts in the parks throughout the summer months, and the Community Concerts subscription series offers a variety of fine orchestral, vocal, big band, brass band, and classical music.

Two private dance studios train young performers in national award-winning techniques, while local theatre performance at nearby White Pines and Timberlake Playhouse delight audiences and aspiring actors alike. The Historic Dixon Theatre is often the venue for some of the best entertainment.

Dixon is only a short one to two hours' drive from Chicago, where residents can take advantage of some of the best entertainment in the country. The nearby Metro Center in Rockford and the Mark of the Quad Cities host scores of performances and sports events - all within one hour of Dixon.

Recreational opportunities in Dixon abound. From challenging golf courses and bike trails to the finest in fishing, we have it all. The beautiful geography of the Rock River Valley makes Dixon the nucleus of a natural wonderland. Enjoy a quiet pontoon ride along the rocky bluffs lining the river's shores or a speedy jet-ski adventure. The Dixon Park District has more park land per capita than any city in Illinois, and five State of Illinois Parks are within a 30 minute drive of Dixon.

Dixon also offers a number of indoor fitness facilities; choose among swimming, racquetball, volleyball, aerobics, weight training, bicycling, soccer, baseball, basketball, and more.

The Dixon Public Schools are formed from three K-4 neighborhood schools (Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson), the Ronald Reagan Middle School (grades 5-8) and Dixon High School (grades 9-12). Athletics, student government, business education partnerships and a wide variety of other activities stimulate the physical and creative talents of individual students at all levels throughout the Dixon system.

Dixon offers the best of suburban living, while at the same time being a great commuter city for people based in Chicago. With ease of transportation, and so many recreational opportunities, with a great school system and friendly people, Dixon is bound to be number one when it comes to moving!