Crainville is a small bedroom community on the edge of Carterville
Crainville is a mostly residential community bordering Carterville, giving residents convenient access to the town’s downtown businesses, well-regarded schools, and other nearby amenities, including Crab Orchard Lake. “You’re right up against the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, which is great for fishing and hunting, and it’s all enhanced by the excellent school system,” says Richard Davis, a local broker with over 30 years of experience in the area and owner of Century 21 House of Realty. Located on state Route 13, Crainville’s convenient location provides easy access to several other regional hubs, while maintaining a relatively quiet vibe.
Ranch-style homes and newer residential developments
The community’s west side has a mix of ranch-style homes and cottages from the 20th century, often with minimalist vinyl siding or shaded front porches. Farther west, there’s more 21st-century development, including suburban-style subdivisions and custom-built new traditional homes with attached garages. Lots tend to increase in size toward the community’s west end, sometimes exceeding a full acre. Home prices generally range from $100,000 to $515,000, depending on the home’s condition.
Schools are located in Carterville, all earning an A-minus rating
Tri-C Elementary serves kindergarten through third grade students, after which they may move on to Carterville Intermediate School for fourth through sixth grades. Carterville Junior High School has sports programs like softball, baseball and volleyball, while Carterville High School offers a broader variety of extracurricular activities, including chess club, Future Farmers of America and musical theater. All four schools score an A-minus from Niche. The high school moved into a brand-new building in 2011, making it highly sought after by families in the region. “Time flies. It’s been over 10 years now,” Davis says. “It’s a beautiful facility, and there’s been a lot of growth since then. When you have a good high school, the homes will follow.”
Close to Crab Orchard Lake, with more parks in Carterville
Just south of Crainville, Crab Orchard Lake is a hub for fishing and boating, surrounded by many miles of multiuse trails through the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Crainsville doesn’t have any public parks of its own, though locals have easy access to green spaces in Carterville like James Saint Park, which has playgrounds and several ball fields of various sizes. The nearby S.I. Bowl Family Fun Center offers indoor recreation, including bowling and arcade games, and the Crab Orchard Golf Club’s 18-hole course is open to the public.
Local businesses found along the highway
Retail space in Crainville is limited, outside of a handful of small businesses and industrial centers along the highway. Local restaurants include Turner's Table, a diner-style café serving American fare and comfort food. Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant is a casual favorite for authentic cuisine in Carterville. For groceries, locals can head to Farm Fresh of Carterville, a small local market, or national chains like Kroger and Walmart, about 5 miles away in Herrin.
State Route 13 leads to Carbondale and Marion
Crainville is adjacent to Carterville on state Route 13, about 10 miles east of Carbondale and 10 miles west of Marion. St. Louis is the nearest major city, about 125 miles away. Public transit is generally limited, though the Rides Mass Transit District operates an intercity bus route from Marion to Carbondale, which stops along state Route 13. Southern Illinois Healthcare Herrin Hospital is about 5 miles away, while St. Louis Lambert International Airport is a little over 100 miles away.
Community events are held in downtown Carterville.
The neighboring town of Carterville hosts annual holiday celebrations, including a Christmas parade down Division Street in the first week of December. Later in the holiday season, the downtown area is decked out for Christmas in Carterville, a street fair with carriage rides, hot chocolate and craft vendors.
