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Jacksonville, IL is a small west-central Illinois city, the seat of Morgan County, and home to Illinois College, one of the oldest colleges in the state. This is a true small-town college experience, where the historic downtown square, local shops, and a compact residential grid sit a short walk from campus. Students get a quiet, friendly base with the conveniences of a small city: public parks, a walkable center, and community events that fill the town square through the year. Springfield and the state capitol are a quick drive east when you want a bigger city, but day to day, Jacksonville keeps things close-knit, low-key, and easy to navigate on foot.
The heart of student life, walkable and full of older homes and apartments.
Quiet and residential, popular for houses shared among roommates at friendly numbers.
Put you close to shops and community events within an easy walk.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Jacksonville.
Jacksonville has no big-city rail system, so public transit options are minimal. The town is small enough that most students reach class, the downtown square, and essentials without needing a bus network. Plan on walking, biking, or driving as your main ways to get around. For longer trips like the drive to Springfield, students typically rely on a car rather than transit.
Jacksonville is small and walkable, and students living near campus can reach class, the downtown square, and most essentials on foot. The town is compact enough that biking covers nearly everything else, and the flat grid makes it easy. Short commutes and no real traffic make both pleasant. For daily life near campus, walking and biking are the main options.
A car is handy for grocery runs and the drive to Springfield, and many students keep one, but it isn't a daily necessity if you live close to campus. The upside is easy parking compared with a major city, plus no traffic to speak of. Student rentals and houses typically come with room to park. Short commutes make a car convenient without being required.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Jacksonville is one of the more affordable college towns in Illinois. One-bedroom apartments often run around $450-$600 a month, and two-bedroom houses frequently land near $750-$900, so splitting with a roommate keeps the per-person number low.
Browse student housing near each Jacksonville-area university.