Contact Info
City of Charleston
Scott Smith
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: 217-345-5650
Fax: 217-345-7554
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About Us
Charleston, Illinois is a progressive city of over 21,000 persons located in East Central Illinois. Rich in the history of Abraham Lincoln, the city features a balance of industrial, agricultural, educational and cultural opportunity.
Located on Highway 16, just 10 miles east of Interstate 57, Charleston is the county seat for Coles County and is the center of government and commerce for the predominantly rural and agricultural region surrounding Coles County. With nearly 183,000 people residing within a thirty-five mile radius of Charleston, a capable and willing workforce is readily available for business and industrial firms located here. Charleston is a city where the work ethic remains strong and the spirit of community support is high.
Eastern Illinois University, located in Charleston, is the largest employer with a staff of approximately 1,800 and an enrollment of 12,500 students (2007 Fall Enrollment). Eastern Illinios University was the college of Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo.
Highway 16 is the primary retail corridor in Charleston with a peak ADT of 25,000 vehicles per day. Our Industrial Area is located along Illinois Route 130 and Eastern Illinois Railroad on the north side of town.
With its close proximity to large metropolitan areas, access to recreational sites, business and employment opportunities, Charleston provides its citizens with a full range of living experiences that are generally found in much larger communities.
Today, Charleston is a thriving business community providing more than 300 stores and a wide variety of services in the downtown square shopping district and Lincoln Avenue commercial areas. The city’s industrial complex is home to several national and international manufacturing firms. The Coles Business Park and East Side Commercial Area offer various opportunities for retail, service and industrial businesses. Surrounded by family farms and rich soils, Charleston’s economy is bolstered by agriculture.
The county’s more than 900 farms produce 15.3 million bushels of corn and 4.6 million bushels of soybeans each year.
