Taylorville offers small-town living in rural Central Illinois
Founded in 1839, Taylorville is a small city amid the vast farmland of Central Illinois. About 30 miles from the state capital of Springfield, it also serves as the county seat for rural Christian County, making Taylorville the focal point of the regional economy. Taylorville Memorial Hospital is the largest employer, followed by the school district and several manufacturing plants. “We have an industrial park that opened a few years ago, so we’re always looking to grow and bring in new industry,” says lifelong resident Jim Olive, a Taylorville alderman for more than 10 years. The community also has a downtown hub and several events throughout the year.
Single-family homes in the city, near farmland and by the water
Taylorville’s residential streets are mostly grid-patterned, featuring single-family homes built between the early 1900s and early 2000s with a median sale price of $135,000. On average, homes stay on the market for 49 days, on par with the national average of 47. Some of the most expensive homes in the community are waterfront properties at Lake Taylorville as well as countryside properties on acres of land, with values ranging from around $300,000 to $700,000.
Playgrounds, athletic facilities and aquatic fun at Lake Taylorville
Taylorville has a few parks and recreational activities. Manners Park, the community’s main green space, features a playground, fishing pond and a community pool. Don Bragg Sports Complex hosts adult softball leagues and youth leagues in several other sports. There’s also a skate park and a race track designed for small racecars, with races held every summer weekend. Lake Taylorville, a 1,200-acre reservoir, was created to accommodate the community’s water supply and for recreational use. “The lake is popular in the summertime,” Olive says. “There are always lots of boats and people fishing. There’s overnight camping, and spots are always taken.”
Local stores and restaurants downtown near "The Square"
Most big-box retailers are on the north side of Taylorville. Downtown has a more local scene with small businesses. Many of those local stores and restaurants are on Main, Washington, Market and Main Cross streets. All four meet in the middle at what locals call “The Square,” where the Christian County Courthouse stands. Olive says, “There are lots of little shops, and generally, you can find any kind of restaurant you’re in the mood for.” Bill’s Toasty is the oldest and one of the most iconic restaurants in the city, serving burgers 24/7 since 1932.
Chillifest and other events throughout the year
Taylorville has several events throughout the year. One of the biggest is Chillifest, which started in 1985. The longstanding tradition brings the community together every October for a chili competition and the crowning of the Chillifest Queen and Grand Pepper King. On the Fourth of July, locals head to Lake Taylorville for a fireworks show. “People watch the fireworks from anywhere,” says Olive. “The beach and marina are full, and a lot of people watch from their boats.” Soon after, locals have fun at the Christian County Fair, typically held in mid-July. All December, Manners Park hosts Christmas in the Park with a drive-through light display and several events, including a bake-off, gingerbread house contest and photos with Santa.
Public schools and Lincoln Land Community College
Public school students in kindergarten through second grade attend North Elementary School, which receives an A-minus grade from Niche. Third and fourth-grade students go to C-plus-graded Memorial Elementary School. They’ll go on to Taylorville Junior High School and Taylorville High School, each receiving a B-minus grade.
Lincoln Land Community College’s main campus is in Springfield, but there’s a smaller one in Taylorville, as well.
A 40-minute drive to Springfield
Taylorville is primarily a car-dependent community. There are no public bus routes, but the Central Illinois Public Transit Program serves the community by offering scheduled shuttle bus rides from home. Locals have access to Illinois routes 29, 48 and 104. It’s about a 40-minute drive through farmland to Springfield, where travelers can fly out of Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
