Photo: “DeKalb County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Cortland Highlighted” by DemocraticLuntz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Cortland is a town of about 4,398 people (2020 census) in DeKalb County, with a typical home value of about $296,000 as of Sept. 30, 2026, according to Zillow. It more than doubled in size between 2000 and 2020, and it’s one of the most affordable places I help buyers.
I’m Dana Gallagher, a Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate. I help buyers and sellers across the Chicago suburbs, and here’s my honest look at living in Cortland in 2026.
Where Is Cortland, IL?
Cortland is in DeKalb County.
Cortland sits in DeKalb County, just east of the city of DeKalb. The town was founded in 1835, a railroad came through in 1853, and it was named after Cortland, New York.
Cortland is an incorporated town, not a village or city, which is rare in Illinois. That’s why it uses the slogan “The Third Largest Town in Illinois”; only Cicero and Normal are bigger towns.
Its population grew from 2,066 in 2000 to 4,270 in 2010 and 4,398 in 2020, so a lot of the housing is newer.
Cortland Home Prices in 2026
| Cortland, IL | Zillow Home Value Index (Sept. 30, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Typical home value | $295,998 |
| Change from a year earlier | Up 5.6% |
Cortland is a small market, so one or two sales can move prices, and I always pull the latest comparable sales for the specific home.
A median is just the middle sale. Size, condition, lot and location can put a home well above or below it, so I always pull recent sales on your exact street before we write an offer.
Already own a home and wondering what it’s worth? Start with my free home value report. If you need to sell and buy at the same time, read should you sell before or after you buy.
Neighborhoods and Housing Types in Cortland
Most of Cortland’s homes are newer, reflecting its fast growth since 2000. Richland Trails is an active new-construction area, where Shodeen Homes has offered ranch homes and build-to-suit lots, and Chestnut Grove is another subdivision. Townhomes are also part of the mix.
Schools in Cortland
Cortland’s public schools are part of DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, and Cortland Elementary School (K-5) is in town. Middle and high school students attend District 428 schools in DeKalb. Confirm the assigned schools for any address with the district.
Parks and Things to Do in Cortland
Cortland’s small size is the draw: quieter streets with the shopping, dining and Northern Illinois University in DeKalb a short drive away.
Annual Events in Cortland
The Cortland Lions Club’s SummerFest ran August 7 and 8, 2026, at Cortland Community Park, with live music, food and local vendors, hands-on STEAM exhibits and fireworks on Friday night. Cortland’s population more than doubled from 2,066 in 2000 to 4,398 in 2020. As an incorporated town, it’s one of only a handful in Illinois, and it calls itself “The Third Largest Town in Illinois” after Cicero and Normal.
More About Cortland
Cortland sits just east of DeKalb and just south of Sycamore, so Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and the shopping and dining in both cities are close by.
Commuting from Cortland
Most Cortland residents drive. I’ll map your exact commute for any home we look at, since it varies a lot depending on where you work.
By car, OpenStreetMap routing estimates about 65 miles and 84 minutes to downtown Chicago and about 49 miles to O’Hare, without traffic. Rush hour will take longer, so test-drive your commute.
Property Taxes in Cortland
Outside Cook County, Illinois counties assess homes at 33⅓% of market value. Your actual bill depends on the combined tax rate for your parcel (village, schools, park and library districts and more) and any exemptions you qualify for.
I pull the real tax bill for every home we look at. My property tax guide explains how Illinois bills are figured.
Cortland vs. Nearby Towns
- Pingree Grove and Hampshire: newer homes to the northeast in Kane County. Read Moving to Pingree Grove or Hampshire, IL.
- Elburn: to the east in Kane County, with a Metra station. See Moving to Elburn, IL.
- First-time buyers: check my Illinois first-time homebuyer programs guide for down payment help.
How to Start Your Cortland Home Search
Start with a lender pre-approval so you know your budget, then tell me your must-haves: home type, number of bedrooms, lot size and commute. I’ll set up a custom search so new Cortland listings reach you the day they hit the market, and we’ll tour the best ones together. If you’re a first-time buyer, look at Illinois first-time homebuyer programs before you shop, since program rules can affect your timing.
Pros and Cons of Living in Cortland
Pros
- One of the lowest median prices in my service area
- Newer homes and new construction
- Close to DeKalb and Sycamore
Cons
- Longer drives to Chicago and O’Hare
- A small market, so prices can swing
- Homes took longer to go under contract than a year earlier
Who Is Cortland a Good Fit For?
Cortland suits buyers who want a newer home at a lower price and don’t mind a longer drive.
My Tips for Buying in Cortland
- Get pre-approved first. Sellers want to see you’re ready. Here’s why you need a pre-approval before you buy.
- Confirm the school assignment for the exact address. District lines don’t always follow town lines.
- Look at the real tax bill, not an estimate.
- Time the commute at rush hour before you fall in love with a house.
My Tips for Selling in Cortland
- Price from real sales. I pull recent Cortland sales by home type, not just the town median. Start with my free home value report.
- Prep before you list. Small repairs, paint and clean photos help a home stand out.
- Know your tax and HOA details. Buyers ask, so have the latest bill and any association documents ready.
- Plan your next move first. If you’re also buying, read should you sell before or after you buy.
Why Work With Me in Cortland
I hold the SRES®, CBR and CSR designations, and I have 40 Google reviews with a 5.0 rating. I work across Cook, Kane, Will, Kendall, McHenry, DuPage and DeKalb counties and more, so I can help you compare Cortland with the towns around it. If you’re 55 or older, here’s how an SRES® agent helps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Cortland, IL?
Zillow’s Home Value Index put the typical home value at $295,998 as of Sept. 30, 2026, up 5.6% from a year earlier.
What county is Cortland, IL in?
Cortland is in DeKalb County.
What school district serves Cortland?
Cortland is in DeKalb Community Unit School District 428. Cortland Elementary School serves grades K-5. Confirm the exact address.
Why is Cortland called a town?
Cortland is an incorporated town, a rare status in Illinois. It calls itself “The Third Largest Town in Illinois” after Cicero and Normal.
Are there new homes in Cortland?
Yes. Richland Trails has had new-construction ranch homes and build-to-suit lots from Shodeen Homes, and Chestnut Grove is another subdivision in town.
When is Cortland SummerFest?
The Cortland Lions Club holds SummerFest each August. In 2026 it ran August 7 and 8 at Cortland Community Park.
Let’s Find Your Cortland Home
Tell me what you’re looking for and I’ll send you current Cortland homes that fit. Call or text me at 224-858-0022, email mybrokerdana@gmail.com, or contact me here. You can also search homes for sale.
Own a home in Cortland already? Find out what it’s worth in today’s market.
Dana Gallagher, Broker (SRES®, CBR, CSR) | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate | ★★★★★ 5.0 on Google (40 reviews)
Last updated October 2026. Market figures come from public sources and change often.