Pinckneyville is a quiet town and a regional hub for Perry County
Pinckneyville in Southern Illinois got its start as a coal mining and farm town, and while those industries still play a role in the local economy, they represent a much smaller part of it than they once did. As the county seat of Perry County, Pinckneyville functions as an administrative center for the rest of the county, which is almost entirely rural and unincorporated, as well as a retail and health care hub. Medium-security Pinckneyville Correctional Center, located just outside of town, is also a major employer. In recent years, the town's proximity to multiple rivers, lakes and state recreation areas has made it a popular spot for commuters looking for a small-town lifestyle. "It's a great place to live," says Realtor Stephen Cannedy, who served as director of bands at Pinckneyville Schools for over 30 years. "You've got lots of hiking and camping and fishing nearby. It's just 30 minutes to Carbondale and SIU and an hour to St. Louis."
A variety of early and midcentury homes
Pinckneyville's housing inventory is mostly made up of early-1900s to midcentury bungalows, ranch-style homes and traditional two-story homes. Most properties in the area are on the town grid and feature modest-to-large yards and mature trees. Generally, homes in and around Pinckneyville sell for between $50,000 and $300,000.
High school basketball draws huge crowds
Pinckneyville Elementary School has a B on Niche, while Pinckneyville Middle School gets a B-plus. Pinckneyville Community High School gets a B. The high school is known for its strong boys' basketball team, which has brought home three state championships over the years. "We're known throughout the state as the Hoosiers of Illinois," says Cannedy. "There's a really big basketball tradition. On Friday or Saturday nights, half the city will turn out to games. A lot of people even travel for road games; they'll drive halfway across the state." Southern Illinois University is in Carbondale, about 30 miles away.
Centrally located shopping
Shopping and dining options are concentrated along state routes 154 and 127, also known as Water Street and Main Street, the town's main thoroughfares. Pinckneyville's two supermarkets, Save A Lot and Perry County Market Place, are both located near the center of town. Additional shopping, including the local hardware store and thrift store, can be found scattered along the two main roads. While there isn't much of a traditional walkable downtown area, Pinckneyville does have a solid local dining scene. Highly rated options in town include Main Street Scoops & Sweets, Taps and Vine Social House and the recently remodeled Grecian Steak & Seafood House. The nearest Walmart is about 15 miles from town in nearby Du Quoin, while the nearest sizable shopping centers are in Carbondale.
Right next door to the state's largest rec area
Pinckneyville City Park — which is better known as Perry County Fairgrounds — is the town's major green space. The grounds are home to athletic fields, the town playground and pool, and the Illinois Rural Heritage Museum, whose exhibits focus on historic farming equipment. Pinckneyville City Lake — also known as the Pinckneyville Reservoir — is just north of town and offers extensive fishing and boating opportunities. Pyramid State Recreation Area, Illinois' largest recreation area at 19,000 acres, is located just southwest of town. The area was formed on reclaimed strip mine land and now provides extensive opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking and camping.
Home to the Perry County Fair
The Perry County Fair, held every June at the fairgrounds, features livestock shows, tractor pulls, a demolition derby and carnival rides. Mardi Gras, a misleadingly named October festival unique to the city and dating back to 1923, includes a parade, music and community gatherings.
Easy to get to St. Louis or Carbondale
State routes 13, 127 and 154 connect Pinckneyville to the rest of the region. There's no public transportation in the area, so most locals rely on cars to get around. It's a roughly 30-mile drive to Carbondale, and a little over 60 miles to St. Louis. While Carbondale does have a regional airport, most locals fly out of St. Louis Lambert International, which is roughly 80 miles away.
