Greenville has more than its agricultural roots
Once known primarily for agriculture and its manufacturing industry, Greenville has expanded its horizons since it was founded in the 1800s. "We have a university, lots of businesses and a bit of a tourism industry," says Jo Keillor, director of the Greenville Public Library. "That brings a lot of people out here." In addition to Greenville University, major employers in the area include the local medical industry, manufacturing companies and a federal prison. With a population of just over 7,000, Greenville acts as a central hub for the rest of Bond County, offering convenient public parks, shopping and dining. Surrounded by farms and woodlands, the greenery of Southern Illinois is also a draw. Locals and visitors regularly take advantage of nearby lakes, campgrounds and golf courses. Keillor says these pieces are held together by a sense of community pride. "It's wonderfully warm and welcoming here," she says.
Cape Cods and midcentury-style homes are popular
Concentrated mainly in the city's northwestern side, Greenville's homes have a median price of about $260,000 – higher than the Bond County median in the $150,000s. Lots are typically a quarter-acre or smaller, and the average home's square footage is in the 1,300s. Early 20th-century Cape Cods and National-style homes are typical, and generally sell between $30,000 and $110,000, depending on condition. Ranch and split-level homes are also popular, typically priced between $70,000 and $300,000, depending on age and amenities. Homes closer to the city center are in a grid pattern, more tightly arranged than newer neighborhoods on the outskirts. Sidewalks make the residential zones fairly walkable, particularly in the areas closer to Greenville University.
Greenville University enrolls 1,100 students annually
Students are served by Bond County Community Unit School District Number 2, which has a B rating from Niche. Extracurriculars are popular at Bond County Community Unit Number 2 High School, colloquially called Greenville High. The high school's football team made the playoffs in 2024, while the boys basketball team made the regional finals in 2025. Keillor says that the arts are just as active. "They put on a wonderful musical every year," she says.
Greenville University is a private liberal arts institution that enrolls over 1,100 students yearly. According to Niche, their most popular majors are elementary education, business and organized behavior studies. The university has an active sports community, with football, track and field and women's basketball taking home 17 national championships in their division between 2000 and 2019.
Local entertainment includes swimming, camping and museums
Many public areas, like Breehne and Bauer parks, offer classic outdoor amenities like playgrounds and picnic spaces. William S. Wait Park sets itself apart with soccer fields, a skate park and a public pool open from May through August. Set at the southern tip of Governor Bond Lake, the Kingsbury Park Nature Preserve has miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding through acres of protected wilderness. Camping is popular in the area, and campgrounds like Buzzard Bay and Bonanza have sites for tents and RVs.
Greenville has several museums, including the American Farm Heritage Museum and the Richard W. Bock Sculpture Museum. The DeMoulin Museum tells the story of one of the city's best-known manufacturers with exhibits, artifacts and goat rides. The Greenville Country Club has a private 9-hole golf course with regular tournaments and league play.
Local burger and pizza places are popular with locals
Most shopping is centered around College and Harris avenues, which are lined with local boutiques, retail options and grocery stores like Waynes Market and True Value. Kahuna's is a laid-back burger joint with a tiki bar atmosphere. The restaurant is a regular site for local events, including their Music in the Garden series, which invites different musical acts to entertain customers in their outdoor dining area. Opened in 1980, Mario's is a classic pizza parlor with checkered tablecloths and specialty pies like the Greek-inspired Olympian.
The Bond County Fair is an annual tradition
Held every summer, the Bond County Fair kicks off a week of festivities with livestock exhibits and ends with a parade. In between, visitors can brave carnival rides, watch a demolition derby or attend the coronation of that year's Bond County Fair Queen.
St. Louis is about an hour's drive away
The city's main highways are Interstate 70, U.S. Route 40 and Illinois Route 140. Saint Louis is about 50 miles away via I-70. HSHS Holy Family Hospital is a 28-bed medical facility with emergency services on the northern outskirts of Greenville.
