A Southern Illinois college town for the outdoors enthusiast
Carbondale is named for the nearby coal deposits that fueled Southern Illinois’ growth in the 19th century. Today, education propels the local economy: Southern Illinois University's population of more than 11,500 students adds to the city’s 21,500 full-time residents.
While the university features prominently in daily life, from cultural offerings to its NCAA Division I athletic program, Carbondale is more than a college town. It’s also a gateway to the natural splendor of Southern Illinois, featuring more rugged terrain than many parts of The Prairie State and the state’s only national forest. “The first thing I tell anyone about Carbondale is that it’s the perfect place for someone who enjoys the outdoorsy thing,” says Erin Sagaskie, a lifelong resident and SIU graduate. “The trails. The lakes. Fishing, hunting, hiking. It’s not flat like Central Illinois."
Saluki pride on display at Southern Illinois University football games in Carbondale, IL.
Explore stunning scenery on Shawnee National Forest hiking trails near Carbondale.
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SIU plays a star role and Carbondale Community High earns plaudits
Enrollment at SIU has increased in the past two years after eight straight years of decline, but remains well below an all-time high of more than 28,000 students in the early 1990s. “When there were more students, the difference between the school year and summertime was more noticeable,” Sagaskie says. “But it’s slowly been coming back up.”
SIU has long harbored a reputation for being a party school. The ultimate icon of collegiate partying—the “College” sweatshirt made famous by John Belushi in the movie Animal House—was purchased in Carbondale, where he lived with his brother Jim, who was then an SIU student. Halloween was particularly notorious. A riot in 2000 prompted campus and downtown bars to close during Halloween week for several years thereafter. Carbondale has taken strides to give Halloween a makeover from its unruly former image. “Now the city is embracing the week of Halloween,” Sagaskie says. “They reclaimed it and turned it into something for everybody.” SIU is academically known for its School of Aviation and theater program, which has produced alumni like Dennis Franz, Melissa McCarthy and Bob Odenkirk.
Carbondale grade schoolers attend Elementary School District No. 95, which receives a C-rating from Niche. Carbondale Community High School earns an A rating and has been named one of U.S. News and World Report’s best American high schools for 13 straight years.
Southern Illinois University campus offers vibrant student life in Carbondale, IL.
Explore the scenic beauty of Southern Illinois University's Carbondale campus.
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Saluki games and a new-look Halloween
Sporting events at SIU, particularly men’s basketball and football, are a point of pride, along with the school’s mascot, the Saluki. The dog originates from the Fertile Crescent, and its choice as mascot alludes to the region near the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers dubbed “Little Egypt” in the 19th century. “The Salukis are so embedded in the community,” Sagaskie says. “That's been generationally passed on. There's people that have been tailgating for 50 years, and the students are also participating. That’s kind of neat.” The on-campus Shryock Auditorium has hosted various politicians and performers, from President William Howard Taft to rapper Yung Gravy.
Kid-friendly Halloween events include The Great Pumpkin Race, wherein participants decorate and design racing pumpkins, and any entry that breaks contest rules is smashed with a mallet. The Varsity Center, a historic theater and performing arts venue on The Strip, gets into the spirit with two weeks of Halloween-themed movies.
Saluki Stadium is a prime spot for college football action in Carbondale, IL.
Experience the energy of college baseball at SIU’s field in Carbondale.
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The Strip keys downtown revitalization
Carbondale’s downtown, known as The Strip, runs parallel to the railroad tracks that played a role in its 19th-century development. Carbondale Main Street has worked to reinvent The Strip after the riots; it now has a mix of retail and restaurants rather than just a bevy of college bars. Cristaudo’s Cafe and Bakery shares space with Plaza Records, embodying this mixed shopping and dining spirit. Some staples remain, however, such as Mary Lou’s Grill, a cash-only diner that opened in 1962, and Quatro’s Deep Pan Pizza, which has served Chicago-style pizzas since 1976. Additional retail and dining are on Illinois Route 13, known as Main Street through town.
Savor deep-dish perfection at Quatro’s, a Carbondale favorite since 1975.
Start your day with a classic diner breakfast at Mary Lou’s Grill in Carbondale.
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Shawnee National Forest among rich recreational options
Carbondale’s climate encourages outdoor recreation, especially during its warm summer months. Five miles south of the city, Shawnee National Forest spans the 160-mile width of Southern Illinois. Giant City State Park and the Trail of Tears State Forest are also within a 30-minute drive. Boaters and anglers can choose from Cedar Lake or Crab Orchard Lake.
Carbondale Parks and Recreation maintains seven city parks, including the Superblock sports multiplex. The indoor SIU Recreation Center offers memberships to area residents without university affiliation. Hickory Ridge Golf Course and the adjoining Hickory Winds Disc Golf Course are open to the public. The League of American Bicyclists designates Carbondale as a bronze-level bicycle-friendly community, and the city has a master plan to make further improvements.
Explore stunning scenery on Giant City State Park's hiking trails near Carbondale, IL.
Discover the beauty of Cedar Lake in Carbondale.
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Home values are lower than national median
The median home sales price in Carbondale is below $160,000, which is about one-third of the national median home price. Fixer-uppers and investment properties can start for around $20,000. Housing values increase in unincorporated Carbondale, ranging from ranch-style homes around $250,000 to new traditional houses in the $400,000s. Jackson County’s median property tax rate, around 2.9%, is above the national and state median rates.
Carbondale’s property crime rate nearly doubled the national average in 2023. Sagaskie says much of the property crime is a result of car-related break-ins.
Classic Cape Cod charm brings timeless appeal to Carbondale's neighborhoods.
Brick ranch homes offer timeless style in the heart of Carbondale, IL.
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Closer to many major southern cities than Chicago
While Illinois cities are often considered in relation to Chicago, Carbondale is closer to Memphis and Nashville than the Windy City, which is 330 miles away. U.S. Route 51 and Interstate 57 are the primary routes out of the city for drivers. The Southern Illinois Multi-Modal Station will open along The Strip in early 2025 with Amtrak’s City of New Orleans, Illini and Saluki trains offering daily service to Chicago from there. JAX Mass Transit, which operates the city and campus bus systems, will also be based at the station. Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois, located 12 miles away in Marion, offers passenger service to Chicago O’Hare.
Diversity is a Carbondale hallmark
SIU gives Carbondale a more multicultural setting than other Southern Illinois cities. There are churches, mosques, synagogues and Hindu temples among the houses of worship found in the city. “I really like the diversity and culture we have,” Sagaskie says. “It's a different vibe in Carbondale than in the surrounding towns.”
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