About the Area

Micro Urban Community Unlike Any Other

The City of Champaign is the 10th largest city in the state of Illinois and the third largest outside of the Chicago region. As home to the University of Illinois, the city boasts a stable economy built on education, medical, research, technology, and manufacturing. The community was founded with the coming of the Illinois Central railroad in 1854 and has thrived over the past 150 years. We like to best describe ourselves as "Micro Urban". The community has the charm and feel of a small town with the big city amenities of a major city. Our recent strength has been the growth and development of our Downtown and Campus town districts. Downtown has blossomed into one of the best foodie destinations in the Midwest, complete with 36 locally owned restaurants and pubs. Couple that with over 1,700 outdoor cafe seats and constant outdoor entertainment and you've got yourself a thriving entertainment district. Campus town has emerged as a thriving urban center that anchors student life for the 43,000 university students from all fifty states and from around the globe.

Heart of the Midwest

Champaign is located in the strategic center of the Midwest connecting Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis - all within a 2.5 hour drive