The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 61542 sells for about $115,000, or $85 per square foot.
Prices are down 2.1% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 62 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $599 a month.
ZIP 61542 — Lewistown
The housing market in 61542 is stable, characterized by low inventory and modest price adjustments consistent with broader rural Illinois trends. Demand remains steady among local buyers, though limited new construction and a slow-growth economic environment keep market activity at a measured pace.
This ZIP is well-suited for families and individuals seeking an affordable, quiet, small-town lifestyle with a lower cost of living compared to larger regional metros.
Median prices moved down 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 62 days on market with 5.8 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 10.6% · poverty 6.6% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 61542, Fulton County IL
Crime rates in the Lewistown area are generally low and consistent with rural Fulton County trends, remaining well below state and national averages for violent crime.
Schools serving the area are part of the Lewistown Community Unit School District 97, which is characterized by small class sizes and community-focused educational programming.
The area faces moderate risk from severe thunderstorms and occasional flooding near the Spoon River, with standard insurance coverage typically available.
Economic momentum is driven by local agriculture, healthcare, and small-scale manufacturing, with limited large-scale commercial development currently underway.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Illinois) — Property Tax Assessment (Fair Cash Value): Property is assessed at 33 1/3% of its fair cash value. The tax bill is calculated by multiplying the equalized assessed value (EAV) by the aggregate tax rate of the local taxing districts.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents typically driving to nearby employment hubs in Canton or Peoria via Illinois Route 97 and Route 100.
The area offers access to outdoor recreation including the Spoon River, local parks, and nearby conservation areas, with basic shopping and dining located in downtown Lewistown.
The rental market is characterized by low turnover and limited inventory, with demand primarily driven by local workers and families seeking affordable housing.
The local economy is anchored by agriculture, public education, and regional healthcare services, with many residents commuting to larger nearby cities for employment.
Transportation is almost exclusively via private vehicle, with no significant public transit infrastructure serving the rural geography.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction in the ZIP.
The Fulton County Assessor manages property valuations, with assessments typically updated on a multi-year cycle to reflect market changes.
Parcels are subject to school district taxes, county levies, and local fire protection district assessments.
Property insurance remains stable, though premiums are influenced by regional exposure to severe weather events common in Central Illinois.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level profiles.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Joe's Place | Norris, IL4.618.3 mi
- Dickson Mounds State Museum4.41.6 mi
- Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge4.63.7 mi
- Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge4.46.8 mi
- Dickson Mounds State Museum4.41.6 mi
- Evening Star Camping Resort4.212.2 mi
- Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge4.63.7 mi
- Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge4.46.8 mi
- Emiquon Nature Preserve4.62.7 mi
- Fulton County Camping & Rec Area4.37 mi
- Havana Farm & Home Supply4.56.9 mi
- County Market4.12.1 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Provides local opportunities for fishing, boating, and scenic recreation.
Central community space for local events and outdoor activities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.