Last Updated on: 23rd December 2024, 07:02 pm
Looking for a pleasant college town with Midwestern charm? Then you’ll love living in Champaign IL. Champaign is known for being the shared home of the University of Illinois, along with the adjacent city of Urbana, and many of the city amenities and services are aimed at college-age residents and young professionals.
Located in Central Illinois, about 2.5 hours south of Chicago and 3 hours northeast of St. Louis, Missouri, the city of Champaign is an active city with plenty of fun things to keep everyone busy. You can fly into the Champaign University-Willard Airport, under 6 miles from the city.
Originally called “West Urbana”, Champaign was founded in 1855 when the Illinois Central Railroad laid its rail track two miles west of downtown Urbana. Often referred to as the hub of the Silicon Prairie, there are several technology companies operating out of Champaign, and the city was where the first internet browser was created.
The city is also heavily influenced by sports and has two sports stadiums, Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center. The founders of YouTube, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim, graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Living in Champaign IL, offers a blend of urban and suburban life with affordable housing, excellent schools, and a vibrant cultural scene. It’s an ideal place for families, students, and professionals alike. Here is a close look at everything you need to know before moving to Champaign.
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Is Champaign, IL a Good Place to Live?
Yes, Champaign, IL, is a great place to live. It offers affordable living, excellent schools, and a vibrant community. Home to the University of Illinois, it boasts cultural attractions, a growing job market, and diverse dining options. Families, students, and professionals living in Champaign IL enjoy its welcoming atmosphere.
Where Is Champaign?
Before hiring a full service moving company in Champaign, you’ll want to know where the city is located. Champaign is in Central Illinois, about two hours south of Chicago.
It’s a principal city in the Champaign-Urbana metro area, along with the neighboring city of Urbana and the village of Savoy. It’s situated near the sources of the Kaskaskia and Embarrass Rivers, and downtown Champaign drains into Boneyard Creek, which feeds into the Salt Fork Vermilion River.
Living in Champaign IL offers a very central location. Champaign is 135 miles from Chicago, and driving from Champaign to Chicago will take about two hours on I-57 N. If you plan on moving to the city from Chicago, our dedicated Champaign movers will gladly take you there.
What Is the Population of Champaign, IL? | Champaign Demographics
A young city, residents living in Champaign IL have a median age of 27, may be representative of it being a college town and students staying in the area after graduation. The population of Champaign, IL is 88,297, with 3,873 people living per square mile. It’s the principal city in the Champaign-Urbana metro area of East Central Illinois. The 10th largest municipality in Illinois, Urbana-Champaign MSA is home to over 230,000 residents.
The racial and ethnic breakdown of people living in Champaign IL is 59.7% white (56.7% white, non-Hispanic), 17.2% Black or African American, 15.9% Asian, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino and 5.2% two or more races.
Other Champaign Demographics
- 51% of residents living in Champaign IL are men and 49% are women
- 96.6% are high school graduates
- 56.6% have bachelor’s degrees or higher
- The median household income in Champaign is $46,232, 42% lower than the statewide median
- The foreign born population is 15.6%
Is Champaign a safe place to live? The Champaign Police Department is dedicated to protecting the community with 124 sworn officers and 27 civilian staff. They ensure that living in Champaign, IL is very safe.
There are about 2,368 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 1.9% higher than the national average of 2,324 per 100,000 people, but most of the crime is property related. The violent crime rate in Champaign is 74.7% higher than the rest of the US, but the property crime rate is 11.9% lower.
The City of Champaign community ambassador program is a citywide initiative designed to keep communities safe and support investment in vibrant, diverse neighborhoods.
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Cost of Living in Champaign IL
The cost of living in Champaign IL is on the low side compared to the entire state of Illinois, with a median household income of a little over $48,000 and a median home price is $214,500; most people find the area affordable, with reasonable property taxes. Rentcafe shows the average rent for tenants living in Champaign IL is $1651 per month.
Everyday Expenses of Living in Champaign IL
The following expenses were provided by Numbeo.com:
- Average apartment rental: $966 per month (1 bedroom)
- Gallon of gas: $3.62
- Meal for 2 at mid-range restaurant: $50
- 1 dozen regular eggs: $1.40
- Average Champaign monthly utility bill: $216
Champaign, IL Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Champaign
When you’re considering moving to Champaign and need to decide on a neighborhood, keep in mind the further south you go, the more expensive and upper-class the neighborhoods become. The best schools are also on the south side of the city. If you’re looking for inexpensive areas, search further north. Crime rates in the city follow the cost of living in Champaign, IL – there is more crime in the northern sections of Champaign as you get closer to Chicago.
Downtown Champaign – For Young Professionals Who Want to Be in the Heart of the City
Main Street in downtown Champaign is lined with historic storefronts, consignment shops, and antique shops. Living in Champaign IL, anywhere within a two-block radius of the intersection of Neil and Church Streets puts you close to the busier part of the city, with nightlife and access to entertainment. The safest areas of downtown are west of Washington Street.
Campustown – Ideal for University Students
An area centered on Green Street and covering about eight blocks, Campustown gets its name for the volume of university students living in Champaign IL that make this area their home. Covering about eight city blocks with small businesses, bars, restaurants, and apartment buildings, Campustown has everything you need in walking distance.
Kenwood – Good for Diverse Families
Kenwood is a diverse, urban community with 3.5% of residents aged 5 and up speaking French at home and a high percentage of people with German and Irish ancestry living in Champaign, IL, at 12.9% and 6%. The Kenwood Elementary School is located in the neighborhood.
Midtown – Perfect for Nature Lovers and Young Professionals
Located between downtown and Campustown along University Avenue and First Street, the Midtown neighborhood is a charming up-and-coming commercial district. The neighborhood features walking and biking trails along Boneyard Creek and easy access to the Illinois Terminal.
What Is the Weather Like in Champaign? | Champaign Climate
Living in Champaign IL means you experience all four seasons at their extremes. The lowest temperatures are in January and February, with low temperatures averaging about 19 degrees. The highest temperatures are in June and July and the high average is about 86 degrees. The climate is great for people who want to enjoy equal amounts of all four seasons and maintain a closet full of clothes ranging from tank tops and swimsuits to heavy winter coats and hats.
You’re going to want to bring an umbrella or two and maybe a raincoat when living in Champaign, IL. Precipitation is definitely not lacking in the city, and neither are the clouds. In fact, there are more clouds than sun and more days of rain than not.
Things to Do in Champaign
Everyone from single adults to families with children to sports fans will find something to do in Champaign. There are street festivals, art galleries, coffee shops, recreational facilities, parks, concerts, and more.
The Champaign Parks and Recreation Department maintains several parks and trails for residents living in Champaign IL to enjoy.
State Farm Center
Everything from rock concerts to Broadway plays to men’s and women’s basketball can be experienced at the State Farm Center. It’s the third largest arena in Illinois with a packed events schedule.
1800 South 1st Street, Champaign, Illinois 61820 – 217-333-2923
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Alto Vineyards and Winery
Southern Illinois’ oldest winery, Alto Vineyards, is a top place to visit in Champaign, offering live music on weekends, grapevine tours, and tastings. Located just 20 minutes from Carbondale on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
4210 N. Duncan Road, Champaign, Illinois 61822 – 618-893-4898
Additional Attractions in Champaign, IL
- Krannert Art Museum
- West Side Park
- Sholem Aquatic Center
- Kaufman Lake
- University of Illinois Ice Arena
You don’t have to leave the city when you’re looking for shopping centers, grocery stores, and malls:
Champaign, IL Map
Find a never-ending list of things to do, places to eat, or sights to see with this map of Champaign, IL.
Champaign Restaurants
Craving sushi? Chicago-style pizza? Classic bar grub? Living in Champaign IL has it all. If you’re looking for something different. Here are a few of the best restaurants in Champaign-Urbana.
Seven Saints
With indoor and outdoor dining options, you won’t want to miss one of the best eateries in Champaign. Seven Saints is a classy pub-restaurant with an extensive menu, local brews, and spirits.
32 E. Chester Street, Champaign, IL 61820 – (217) 351-7775
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
Prairie Fruits Farm is a working dairy farm known for its award-winning farmstead cheeses, farm-to-table dining, and eclectic menus, making it one of the best places to eat in Champaign.
4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL 61822 – (309) 204-5057
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Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano
Bring the whole family for a night out at this casual Italian restaurant. Enjoy a pizza or individual entrees of your choice.
2235 S. Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820 – (217) 356-4300
Jobs in Champaign
The largest employers of people living in Champaign, IL include:
The city is also home to several well-known technology startups and Fortune 500 companies, including Abbott, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Caterpillar, John Deere, and State Farm.
Most of those companies have a number of jobs in Champaign, everything from janitor to CTO! You can also find plenty of stable city of Champaign jobs in local government.
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Champaign Schools
Kids living in Champaign IL attend the Champaign 4 Unit School District. All of the schools rank above average, nationally.
The largest universities in Champaign are the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which awards 14,052 degrees annually, and Parkland College, awarding 1,428 degrees.
The Champaign Public Library is one of the city’s brightest spots, and along with being a great spot for students and residents, it’s a tourist attraction for visitors to the city. Anyone living in Champaign IL can also stop by a local branch of the public library for books and other media.
Champaign Statistics & Information
- Located in Champaign County, Illinois, United States
- The population of Champaign is 88,297
- Zip Codes: Range from 61820 to 61826
- Area code: 217 and 447
- Elevation: 764 feet above sea level
- Area: 23.14 square miles
- Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
- The University of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) is 6 miles away.
Tips for Living in Champaign, IL
- Bring your rain gear
- Avoid moving during early mornings and late evenings to reduce traffic from commuters
- Keep in mind the southern neighborhoods are safer with better schools
- Public transportation is a bit lacking, it’s good to have your own vehicle, and since the square mileage is pretty large, walking isn’t a great option
Don’t try moving to Champaign, IL on your own. Let the dedicated team of Champaign IL movers at Federal Companies help you navigate the city streets and deliver your belongings safely. Call (800) 747-4100 and see how affordable it is to hire professional movers.
