Sumner offers small-town living surrounded by farms and forests
Sumner is a small Midwestern town tucked away in the rolling farmlands of southeastern Illinois. With just shy of 1,000 residents, it offers a close-knit environment where neighbors know each other by name, and the streets exude a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere. Founded in the mid-1800s, the town has its roots in farming and oil refining. Over the years, it weathered ups and downs, from the Great Depression to the closure of the region’s oil refineries in the 1990s. “Sumner’s heyday was during the oil boom in the early 1900s. It’s taken a hit since the refineries closed, but it’s still hanging on,” says John Supinie, a city hall worker in neighboring Lawrenceville. The agriculture industry remains a major employer in the area, as is the Lawrence Correctional Center, which sits along its western limit.
Red Hills State Park offers trails, lakes and camping nearby
Sumner offers easy access to nearby outdoor destinations. Just minutes west of town lies Red Hills State Park, a sprawling haven for hikers, campers, anglers and nature lovers. The park features scenic trails winding through woodlands and around glistening lakes, as well as horse-riding paths, campgrounds and abundant wildlife. “Red Hills State Park is really popular," Supinie says. "It brings people from all over, and they’ll go into town afterward for the ice cream stand there, or go by the convenience store." For motorsports enthusiasts, Red Hill Raceway provides the thrill of dirt-track racing, and events there draw crowds from across the region.
Older homes and ranch-style houses on spacious lots
Homebuyers in Sumner will find a variety of options, from charming early-20th century houses full of character to ranch-style homes on spacious lots. Yards are generous, gardens are common and pride in homeownership is evident in well-kept lawns and tidy streets. Housing in Sumner is affordable compared to nearby urban centers, making it an attractive option for retirees and first-time homebuyers. For example, Sumner has a median single-family home sale price of $70,000; Vincennes, just across the Indiana border, has a median single-family sale price of about $260,000. In Sumner, prices range from $20,000 to $50,000 for a fixer-upper, while larger homes can sell from $100,000 to $170,000.
Dairy Dee and The Shack are popular local hangouts
While Sumner is a small community, it boasts a handful of locally owned stores, eateries and a wealth of old brick storefronts on Christy Avenue. Dairy Dee is a long-running favorite for hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream. “Dairy Dee is the big thing in Sumner. You get people coming there from all over the county, especially in the summertime,” Supinie says. Casey’s is the town’s gas station and convenience store, serving both snacks and takeaway pizza. There’s also The Shack, a burger and beer joint in the center of town. For everything else, it’s about 6 miles to the neighboring towns of Bridgeport and Lawrenceville, where residents can shop at Walmart and Dollar General.
Bridgeport Grade School and Red Hill High earn solid ratings
Young students attend schools in the Red Hill Community Unit School District #10, which serves several neighboring towns. For elementary education, students can start at Bridgeport Grade School, which gets a B-minus from Niche. The next step is Red Hill Junior/Senior High School in nearby Bridgeport, which earns a B rating. It’s celebrated for its sports teams, music programs and dedicated staff.
Limited transit means most residents rely on personal vehicles
The nearest larger towns are Olney, about 20 miles to the northwest, and Vincennes, Indiana, roughly 20 miles east. Public transportation options are extremely limited. The town's rural setting means that having a car is essential for travel beyond city limits, though well-maintained roads like U.S. Route 50 make regional trips accessible and straightforward for locals and visitors. Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes is the nearest major medical center.
