Jonesboro offers access to shopping and the great outdoors
The small town of Jonesboro shares close ties with its larger neighbor, Anna, together forming twin communities in the Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois. Apart from its role as the county seat of Union County, Jonesboro is best known for its proximity to Shawnee National Forest and as the site of a historic debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. “It’s a pretty quiet place,” says Realtor Stephen Cannedy of Shamrock Real Estate. “There’s not too much to say about it, which I don’t think is a bad thing. It’s right next to the national forest and close to the Mississippi, close to shopping in Anna. If you like the outdoors, it’s great.”
An assortment of modest midcentury homes
Local housing stock mostly consists of cottages, ranch-style homes and split-levels, many from the early to mid-1900s. However, well-maintained historic two-story properties and larger modern builds can also be found in and around town. A majority of Jonesboro’s residential real estate is located on the town’s main grid, offering moderate yards and longstanding shade trees. Prices generally mirror those in Anna: Move-in ready properties generally sell for $75,000 to $190,000, though custom homes in the outskirts can go for more.
Close to Shawnee National Forest
Jonesboro’s proximity to outdoor space is a major draw. Shawnee National Forest and Trail of Tears State Forest are immediately west of town, offering thousands of acres of scenic forest and unique rock features. The forests are popular spots for camping, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and rock climbing. “People think of Southern Illinois as more rural,” Cannedy says, “but actually it has a really unique landscape. Hills and canyons and forests — really great for hiking or getting outdoors.” Lincoln Memorial Park, which commemorates the Lincoln-Douglas debate from 1858, features walking grounds and a fishing pond. Anna City Park, less than a mile east of Jonesboro, offers athletic fields and a playground. Union County Country Club, a public 18-hole course, is just south of the park.
Lots of retail in nearby Anna
Retail options in Jonesboro are limited, but Broad Street, the town’s main thoroughfare, is home to a small but popular selection of eateries, including the longstanding Dixie Barbecue diner and quaint Mom’s Kitchen. Residents usually head over to Anna, Jonesboro’s larger neighbor, to get their shopping done. Anna has a small historic downtown area, plus a Walmart and a Kroger. It’s also home to the nearest major hospital, Deaconess Illinois Union County, a major employer in the area.
Anna-Jonesboro public schools
Jonesboro Elementary School serves kindergarten through eighth grade and receives an A-minus rating on Niche, while Anna-Jonesboro High School gets a C-plus. The high school offers dual-credit courses through a partnership with Shawnee Community College, which has a campus in Anna.
The Union County Fair draws crowds every summer
Events in Jonesboro often overlap with those in Anna. The Union County Fair at Anna City Park, held annually since the mid-1800s, features livestock shows, a demolition derby and concerts.
Public transit through Shawnee MTD
State routes 127 and 146 are the main roads in and out of Jonesboro. Shawnee Mass Transit District runs a regular bus connecting Anna and Jonesboro, but the vast majority of locals rely on cars to get around. It’s about 20 miles to Carbondale and 30 miles to Marion, both home to regional airports.
