‘Chill’ small town community amid Southern Illinois’ farmland
Herrin is a city where about 12,000 people live amid Southern Illinois’ lush and sprawling farmland. This city settled across the prairie owes its growth to mining, an industry that brought many Italian immigrants to the area throughout the early 19th century. Today Herrin honors this heritage through a massive yearly celebration — the HerrinFesta Italiana — which is held in the city's charming and historic downtown. For many residents, gatherings like this are just a part of the community’s fabric. “I mean, it’s kind of your typical small town, where there’s nothing crazy going on. It’s definitely a good draw for people who have families, who want somewhere that’s chill…and where you got your essentials, and you’re able to survive,” says Kyle Brooks, the owner of SI Event Co., which supplies party equipment. “If I need to get to Walmart, I’m 5 minutes away. If I need to drink a beer, I’m 5 minutes away. The school district’s phenomenal.”
Herrin is a city where people live amid Southern Illinois’ lush and sprawling farmland.
Herrin was settled by many Italian immigrants throughout the early 19th century.
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Craftsmen and ranch-style homes
Herrin has single-story homes organized along narrow streets with no sidewalks. With some neighboring commercial and warehouse facilities, many homes consist of Craftsman bungalows and ranch-styles. More affordable than many other markets throughout Illinois, Herrin’s median price is nearly $300,000, which is below the national median. Most single-family homes here run between $60,000 and $200,000, but some of the newest and largest can easily exceed $300,000.
Expect cozy porches and classic style in Herrin’s Craftsman bungalows.
Brick ranch homes in Herrin offer classic charm and spacious suburban living.
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Downtown Herrin’s diverse eateries and busy nightlife
The shops in downtown Herrin offer various products and services, from games and toys to furniture and pianos. The eateries are equally diverse offering everything from baked treats to pub fare to high-end dining. Staples serving the community include The Frenchman’s Widow and Mary’s Restaurant, which doesn’t carry a regular menu. Shopping chains include Kroger and Walmart.
Herrin also has a dense bar scene, with the Sanctuary Lounge among the newest additions. The late-night hangout hosts bands and comedians, some of whom show up for open mic nights. “The nightlife is busy,” Brooks says. “We have a nice selection of bars with good clientele, and it’s not like rough, backwoods bars. A lot of them have different vibes.”
Enjoy deli favorites like sliced meats and hot entrees at Kroger Herrin.
Find electronics, clothing, and more at Walmart on S Park Ave in Herrin.
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HerrinFesta Italiana’s car show, music and traditions
Many flock to downtown Herrin for the HerrinFesta Italiana each Memorial Day weekend. The event features carnival rides, a classic car show and live music. Past performers have included recording artists like The Chicks and Blake Shelton. The festival also hosts a pasta-eating contest, where participants — sans silverware — devour spaghetti from a bowl.
For more activities, the Herrin City Library runs a monthly guest speaker series that usually covers history-related topics. “As a librarian, they [residents] do, very truly, value their library. We are completely appreciated and a valuable resource to our community,” says library director Susan Mullen.
Enjoy live music, food, and fun at HerrinFesta in downtown Herrin, IL.
Taste Italian flavors at Louie's located in downtown Herrin.
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Just miles from Crab Orchard Lake
Recreation in Herrin include amenities like a signature park, a multi-sports complex and a seasonal aquatic center. When residents aren't playing basketball, skateboarding or walking with their dogs, they can be found at Herrin Memorial Park, enjoying relaxing views of its pond and fountain. Herrin is also located less than 10 miles north of Crab Orchard Lake. This nearly 7,000-acre lake offers camping sites, places to fish for largemouth bass, boating and views of its vast beds of lily pads. The adjacent wildlife refuge has various habitats, home to animals including bald eagles and wild turkeys.
Families enjoy educational adventures at the Crab Orchard Refuge's visitor center.
Autumn hues adorn the winding trails of Crab Orchard's lush forests.
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Herrin Community Unit School District No. 4 and proximity to SIU
Herrin Community Unit School District No. 4 gets a B grade from Niche and oversees four schools, including one for prekindergarten to first grade. Herrin is also just 15 miles from Carbondale, the home of Southern Illinois University, or SIU. SIU’s unique programs include a concurrent path that allows graduate students to earn degrees in electrical and computer engineering and law. It’s also not uncommon for some SIU students to live in Herrin.
Southern Illinois University campus offers vibrant student life in Carbondale, IL.
Herrin High School offers various activities for students.
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Manufacturing and health care jobs
Herrin belongs to Williamson County, where retail, health care and manufacturing are among the leading industries. The Herrin Hospital is part of the Southern Illinois Healthcare system, one of the region’s largest employers.
The Illinois Route 13 corridor connects the city to neighbors Carbondale and Marion. Herrin is also close to Interstate 57, which travelers use to go toward St. Louis and Chicago. Located 117 miles northwest of Herrin, St. Louis is the nearest major city. While the St. Louis Lambert International Airport provides the closest hub for commercial flights, the Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois south of Herrin does offer daily service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Prayon's Herrin plant produces tricalcium phosphate for food and technical uses.
SIH’s Herrin Hospital helps drive local healthcare and job opportunities.
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Important to know
Herrin belongs to the greater Carbondale area, which the National Weather Service shows the average annual temperature to be slightly higher than the national average. While the Carbondale area averages about 11 inches of snowfall a year, it does get significantly less snow than the upper parts of Illinois and the portions of the Midwest around the Great Lakes.
Although crime in Herrin has fluctuated since the mid-2010s, total crimes have fallen by about 200 incidents since peaking in 2017, according to the latest FBI data. While Herrin has higher crime rates than the state, the city’s rates are well below those of larger cities like Chicago.
Written By
Yann Ranaivo
Photography Contributed By
Matt Ponstingl
Video By
Maurice Boone
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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 Herrin, IL sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Herrin, IL over the last 12 months is $147,000, up 27% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Charming 3-bedroom Home with Spacious Living Area. This inviting home features 3 bedrooms,2.5 bathrooms,and a generous living space perfect for relaxing or entertaining. The large master bedroom includes its own full bathroom, offering privacy and comfort. With just a bit of TLC, this property has great potential to become your dream home. Don't miss this opportunity-- come take a look today!
Property Id: 1457877 Spacious 2 Bedroom | 1 Bathroom - Brand New Apartment! Herrin, IL - Steps from Walmart! HUD Approved Rental? Features You'll Love: 2 Spacious Bedrooms - Plenty of natural light 1 Brand New Bathroom - Featuring new tiles and modern finishes New Kitchen Cabinets - Sleek & stylish for all your cooking needs Luxury Vinyl Flooring -
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