Paw Paw, IL Homes for Sale & Real Estate

Paw Paw, Illinois, is a quaint village in Lee County with a population of approximately 830 as of the 2020 census. Settled in the mid-19th century, the village derived its name from the abundant pawpaw trees in the area, a nod to its natural heritage. Paw Paw boasts a rich history, with its Chicago Road once part of the Frink and Walker stagecoach line connecting Galena to Chicago, used initially by the Potawatomi Indians. The village features a house listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and maintains a small-town charm with community events and a focus on local governance, as seen in its active village hall and ordinances. Surrounded by fertile farmland, Paw Paw offers a serene, rural lifestyle with access to natural attractions like the Paw Paw Woods Nature Preserve, making it a hidden gem in the Midwest.