Living In Stephenson County

Cedarville

Located approximately 10 minutes north of Freeport, Cedarville is a quiet village where just over 700 residents call home. Cedarville is recognized for its history and small-town charm. Did you know that it’s the birthplace of social activist and Nobel Prize Winner Jane Addams? Stop and visit her childhood home & museum.

Population: 663

President: Denise Osadjan

School District: Freeport School District #145

Dakota

Dakota’s authentic midwestern atmosphere and rural landscape will make you feel right at home. It was originally laid out in 1857 once the railroad was extended. In 2017, their school district earned a spot on the “Top 100 School Districts in Illinois” list!

Population: 500

President: Bradley Edler

School District: Dakota Community Unit School District #201

Davis

Davis is nestled between Route 75 and Lake Summerset. This small community has big charm with great housing options and highway access.

Population: 589

President: Stephen Olson

School District: Dakota Community Unit School District #201

Freeport

Freeport is the largest community in Stephenson County. Thanks to the large number of German brewers and bakers in it’s history, Freeport has been nicknamed “Pretzel City.” The city is known for its strong business and manufacturing history, an active music and arts scene, and a vibrant downtown vibe.

Population: 23,973

Mayor: Jodi Miller

School District: Freeport School District #145 Cityoffreeport.org, 815-235-8200

German Valley

German Valley boasts a quiet, small-town setting in a rural northern Illinois amongst agriculture fields and native landscapes.

Population: 433

President: Mark Jewell

School District: Forrestville Valley School District #221

Lena

In Lena, you will find an award-winning school district, active park district, library district, emergency services, and various places of worship along with business services to support essential family needs. Lena is nestled in a rural setting where residents can take advantage of low cost of living and commit to a high quality of life.

Population: 2,772

President: Steve Buss

School District: Le-Win Community Unit School District #202 villageoflena.com

Orangeville

Orangeville is a great place to raise a family, start a business, or simply visit for a weekend getaway of picturesque landscapes. Just two miles south of the Wisconsin border, residents and visitors can take delight in a plethora of local attractions like the Jane Addams Trail and Mighty Richland Playhouse.

Population: 766

President: Tom Scudder

School District: Orangeville Community Unit School District #203

Pearl City

Pearl City is located on Illinois Route 73, west of Freeport. It runs along Yellow Creek and is home to friendly citizens and thriving small businesses. The quaint village boasts a smallschool environment while still offering plenty of educational opportunities for students, and chances to start a business in a small town.

Population: 790

President: Mat Diehl

School District: Pearl City Community Unit School District #200, Eastland Community Unit School District #308

villageofpearlcity.com

Ridott

Ridott is situated on the east side of Stephenson County, just north of Route 20.

Population: 124

President: Kim Kopp

School District: Dakota Community Unit School District #201, Pecatonica Community Unit School District #321, and Freeport School District #145

Rock City

Rock City is located on Route 75, near Lake Summerset. It provides residents quality small-town living with convenient access to Freeport and Beloit, WI.

Population: 293

President: Charles Halbleib

School District: Dakota Community Unit School District #201 Village of Rock City 815-865-5247

Winslow

Winslow is near the Wisconsin state border with close proximity to Lena, Freeport, and Monroe, WI. It is filled with natural beauty along the Pecatonica River and home to the Artesian Well and park.

Population: 281

President: Leroy Mernet villageofwinslow@gmail.com

School District: Le-Win Community Unit School District #202

Come Home to Stephenson County

There is no place like home!

To hundreds of graduates in Stephenson County each May, the idea of success is moving away from home to start life on their own. Visions of educational and career aspirations can take you to the far-reaching corners of the country! While all of these experiences are amazing and gratifying, some may reach a point in life when home starts to sound appealing.

For those who have contemplated a move back home, this may be an ideal time to take a closer look at all that has been happening while you’ve been away. Stephenson County is growing, and changing, and is calling its former residents back home to participate in this transformation.

Whether you have a desire to be close to family, start your own business or a more affordable cost of living, the communities of Stephenson County can offer you the life you remember as a child with some recent improvements.

Most of us remember our youth in our hometowns as quaint, humble, and more simplistic. And while many of those characteristics are quintessential to other similar Midwestern towns, Stephenson County is updating its lifestyle offerings in ways that may appeal to you. Downtowns are being re-inhabited by local service and retail businesses with unique and creative niches. Dining and social establishments now resonate with tastes in a variety of flavors and ethnicities. Adding to the culture and diversity, Freeport is now constructing an Arts Plaza and recently open the Children’s Hands- On Museum for additional family activities.

One of the best parts of being in your hometown is being with other members of the community. Stephenson County offers plenty of opportunities to gather with those you know and meet new friends with dozens of public events throughout the year including Music on Chicago, Brewfest, Lena Fall Fest, Cruise Night and many others.

Affecting change in areas you are passionate about can be difficult when the population you are influencing is much larger. In Stephenson County, your time and talent will be a welcome value-add to the community! Passionate about the environment or childhood literacy? With non-profits in education, social service, senior services, environmental advocacy and more there is no shortage of opportunities to lend a hand, and positively impact the future of the place you’ve chosen to call home.

Do you have dreams of opening your own business or the flexibility of being your own boss? There is no better place to let your entrepreneurial spirit thrive! To support entrepreneurs and new start-ups we are developing a rich entrepreneurial ecosystem – with robust tools, resources, and networks to help navigate your entrepreneurial journey. One can start at the Freeport Public Library and access the Gale Business Suite to help develop their business plan. Additionally, interested residents can meet with the Greater Freeport Partnership to learn more about creating and developing their business plan, and what opportunities may exist for financing and funding their ideas. In addition, finding the ideal location for your business is easy because numerous diverse commercial real estate options exist within the county.

Moving home is an attractive option when you want a support system to help with a growing family and to share life’s most precious moments. Whether you are moving home to be close to family or looking to build relationships with a community who becomes family, you deserve the feeling of connection to the place you call home. You’ll have more time with the ones you love when you aren’t logging hours behind-the-wheel commuting to and from work every week. Driving in and around Stephenson County has rarely seen a traffic jam that delays you hours from coming home and offers better views, too.

Affordability generates a different type of freedom—financial freedom. One’s money goes further in smaller cities which can translate into opportunities to save for college, buy a house with one more bedroom, make retirement plans, start a business, enroll children in activities or just live more comfortably.

Come home to Freeport and Stephenson County where you can live the life you’ve dreamed!