The hourly chiming of Centralia’s bells is as much a part of life as the rattling of passenger trains. Known for the 165-foot carillon tower — the eighth largest in the world, with 65 bells — this southern Illinois city also draws tens of thousands of visitors to its annual hot air balloon festival. While the city has faced a shrinking population and limited employment, with most jobs in the manufacturing and healthcare fields, the city is working to revive itself. "As someone who's lived here most of my life, it's got an industrial, rustic quality that's being redefined and updated," says Matthew Packman, membership director at the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce. "Entrepreneurs in our downtown are revitalizing businesses and taking us into the next generation."
Centralia was founded as a hub for the Illinois Central Railroad in the 1850s.
Centralia is known for the 165-foot carillon tower, the eighth largest in the world
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Turn-of-the-century bungalows, Queen Annes and Minimal Traditionals
Centralia was founded at the intersection of two railroad branches, and many homes date to the peak of railroad use across the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Older prefabricated kit homes from Sears, Roebuck and Company mix with Queen Annes and Minimal Traditionals. New homes are rare, although property owners are addressing the desire for updated housing with second and third-floor apartments above their downtown business remodels. "That happens a lot in larger metros, and it just so happens that these individuals are from larger cities, so they're trying to bring that housing style here," Packman says. The median home price here is $100,000, about a quarter of the national median and about half of nearby Saint Louis. Centralia also has affordable waterfront property along its two lakes. "Many people move here for our lake-front properties because they have a very good price compared to bigger cities like Saint Louis," says Darlene Baltzell, a broker with Rod Snow Realtors who has been selling in Centralia for 38 years.
Discover Queen Anne charm in Centralia’s tree-lined historic neighborhoods.
Simple lines and timeless style define Centralia’s Minimal Traditional homes.
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Kayaking and fishing on Raccoon Lake
Raccoon Lake and Lake Centralia provide boating and kayaking opportunities, while anglers can cast for bass, crappie and bluegill. Centralia's parks feature sports courts and fields, playgrounds, open spaces, picnic shelters and water features. The city continues to improve these parks, securing a $43,000 state grant for a new pavilion at Laura Leake Park and $600,000 for a new playground at Fairview Park. Independently owned but open to the public, Foundation Park has trails through 300 acres of restored prairies and wetlands, past ponds and across a disc golf course. The meadows at Foundation are large enough to host Centralia's annual balloon festival.
Foundation Park's frisbee golf course offers fun and fresh air for all skill levels.
Fairview Park has a playground for kids to enjoy.
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Balloon Fest is Centralia's trademark
Hot air balloons have been part of Centralia's DNA for over 35 years. "If you look around town, you'll see hot air balloon logos and insignias," Packman says. The Chamber of Commerce prepares all year for the Balloon Fest, the city's largest festival, with 40,000 visitors annually. For three days in August, balloons of all shapes, sizes and colors set sail in the early morning and touch back down for an evening balloon glow. Participants take flight in tethered balloon rides and enjoy over 100 food and craft vendors. "There are lots of things that set Centralia apart, but that's a gold notch in our belt," Packman says. "And it only gets bigger every year."
Coffee shops and restaurants in revitalizing downtown
Once-empty downtown storefronts see new life as investors reclaim and reshape the retail spaces. Specialty shops, restaurants and office buildings sit under a canopy of string lights on East Broadway. Rail Coffee Room serves sandwiches, salads, coffees and smoothies and hosts special events such as paint-and-sip classes. Crooked Creek Winery serves wine, cocktails and charcuterie inside or al fresco. Old buildings have also made way for green spaces, including the Bell Tower Park, a new pocket park with a splash pad around the carillon. Aldi and Schnucks are the primary grocery stores.
Rail Coffee Room in Centralia, IL serves sandwiches, salads, coffees and smoothies.
Aldi and Schnucks are the primary grocery stores in Centralia, IL.
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The Orphans are the pride of Centralia
With an overall C-plus from niche, the Centralia City School District includes two elementary schools, one middle school, one junior high school and one high school. Centralia High School's boys basketball team is a point of pride, dating back to 1906. The Orphans are one of the winningest high school programs in the country, with over 2,300 wins. The school itself earns a B from Niche. Kaskaskia College is a public institution offering 44 degree programs.
Schiller Elementary School prioritizes learning and collaboration.
Centralia High School prioritizes learning and collaboration.
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Route 161 is a direct route to St. Louis
With limited sidewalks outside of downtown, Centralia residents rely mainly on public transit and cars. Amtrak's City of New Orleans, Saluki and Illini Lines depart from the downtown station. South Central Transit also provides on-demand service to surrounding cities. Illinois Route 161 crosses the heart of the city, connecting to the interstate system and leading to St. Louis, 62 miles west. St. Louis's Lambert International Airport offers direct flights to dozens of domestic and international destinations. Emergency care is available around the clock at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital, a 115-bed inpatient hospital.
Drug-related crime remains an issue
Higher crime rates remain an issue in Centralia. According to FBI data, despite rates being in decline, Centralia still ranked above state and national averages for violent and property crime between 2020 and 2025. The Centralia Police Department has partnered with state and federal law enforcement to tackle gang activity, violent offenders and narcotics activity. The city is home to the Centralia Correctional Center, which provides local employment.
Written By
Liz Coughlin
Photography Contributed By
Matt Ponstingl
Video By
Patrick Johnson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Hope Williams,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Centralia, IL sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Centralia, IL over the last 12 months is $102,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Spacious home with endless possibilities in a desirable east side location. There are 4 bedrooms on the main level and possible additional one in the basement. The main level has a formal DR, LR, eat in kitchen with appliances included, family room and great room. The great room has a free-standing gas stove as well. There are 1.5 baths on the main level. The upper-level room can be utilized as
Looking for that perfect lake property for the RV or permanent lake home. This lot is located off of a quiet cove with a boat dock and block retaining wall. There is a rock RV pad with electric service and pedestal including 30A and 50A receptacles, water and septic system.
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