Southern Illinois University in Carbondale is home to more than 11,000 students. In 2022, the Princeton Review ranked SIU as one of the best universities in the Midwest
Jefferson County is home to Rend Lake, along with Franklin County, the 13-mile long reservoir supplies 15 million gallons of drinking water per day to 300,000 people in southern Illinois in over 60 communities.
Located in the southern portion of Johnson County, the Cache River is America’s northernmost cypress-tupelo swamp and home to over 100 endangered species. Budget Travel calls it one of America’s 10 Most Beautiful Hidden Gems.
The county seat, Metropolis, is the “Hometown of Superman” and hosts the Superman Celebration each June, which features celebrity guests from movies, television, and the comic book industry.
The town of Du Quoin hosts the Du Quoin State Fair in late summer. It’s one of two state fairs in Illinois and features car racing, horse racing, a carnival, livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, contests, and national performing artists.
The community of Golconda hosts a “Shrimp Festival” each September. The festival was named #1 Food Festival in the state of Illinois by National Geographic Traveler magazine.
Known as Kaskaskia Island, a small part of Randolph County is on the west side of the Mississippi River after a flood in 1881 shifted the river’s course.
The county seat, Harrisburg, is known as the “Gateway to the Shawnee National Forest”. The National Forest draws thousands of people annually to enjoy some of the most beautiful natural environments in the Midwest.
Best known for its orchards, Union County features several large family-owned orchards that date back more than a century. In fact, local folklore claims the refrigerated railcar got its start here to transport peaches across the nation.
White County is the top oil producing county in Illinois. Producing over two million barrels of oil in 2022 for the fourth year in a row, the county accounts for nearly 30% of the state’s oil production.
Williamson County has the largest population in Southern Illinois and is still growing. Growth drivers include location, employment opportunities, excellent schools, and diverse recreational offerings.