South Pekin, IL

Located just five miles south of Pekin, South Pekin is a quiet central Illinois village of about a thousand people. The community got its start in 1912 when the Chicago and North Western Railroad built a refueling and repair station here. In those early days, railroad crews lived right on site in boxcars parked along the sidings, and several of those train cars were eventually hauled onto residential lots and converted into homes. Today, the village keeps that down-to-earth, small-town feel surrounded by open farmland.

For anyone looking to relocate, South Pekin offers quiet, affordable living with an easy commute to the shopping and jobs in Pekin and the greater Peoria area. Local kids attend elementary school right in town before moving on to Pekin Community High School. The village also has a fun claim to fame: during the 1970s, a South Pekin basement was home to Golden Voice Recording, where bands like Styx, Head East, and Dan Fogelberg came to record. It is a solid choice for anyone seeking a peaceful rural setting close to everyday conveniences.