Rich

by The Linguist

Rich, Illinois

Rich, Illinois is a village located in Southern Illinois in Jefferson County. According to the Wikipedia page for Rich, the village had a population of 258 people as of the 2020 census.

Population Data

Rich is a small village, with its population peaking at 518 people in the 1950 census. Since then, the population has been on a steady decline as people moved away from rural areas into larger cities. Here is a quick overview of Rich’s historical population data:

  • 2020 Census: 258 people
  • 2010 Census: 299 people
  • 2000 Census: 337 people
  • 1990 Census: 365 people
  • 1980 Census: 403 people
  • 1970 Census: 459 people
  • 1960 Census: 518 people
  • 1950 Census: 518 people

As of the 2020 census, the racial makeup of Rich was 97.3% White, 0.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race made up 0.8% of the population.

History of Rich

Rich has a long history dating back to the early 1800s when pioneers began settling in the area. The village was officially incorporated in 1876. It was named after William Rich, an early settler who owned a large farm in the area.

One of the notable historical events for Rich occurred in 1938 when the village was impacted by the Great Flood of 1938. The Ohio River overflowed its banks due to excessive rainfall, causing widespread flooding and destruction across the region. Much of Rich was submerged in flood waters, with some buildings under 10-12 feet of water. The village rebuilt in the aftermath.

To learn more about the history of Rich, visit the village history page on the Rich city website or stop by the Rich Historical Society Museum.

Rich Government and Services

Rich is located in Jefferson County in southeastern Illinois. The Jefferson County website can be found here and the county mailing address is:

Jefferson County
100 S 10th St # B
Mt Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 244-8010

Rich has a village government made up of elected officials, including the Village President and Board of Trustees. Contact information for the village government can be found on the official village website or at the following address:

Village of Rich
301 E Main St
Rich, IL 62863
(618) 395-2181

Residents of Rich rely on a mix of village services and other local organizations. The Rich Police Department provides law enforcement from their headquarters at 301 E Main St. The Rich Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection services. Water and sewer service is provided by the Rich Township Water District.

Economy and Major Employers

Historically, Rich’s economy relied heavily on agriculture as the surrounding area’s fertile soil made farming very profitable. Over time, fewer people farmed for a living and other occupations took hold in the village. Today, many residents work in manufacturing, retail, healthcare, education and other service industries.

Some of the major employers located right in Rich include:

For more information on economic development initiatives in Rich, visit the village business page.

Transportation

The major highway running through Rich is Illinois Route 130. This north-south road connects Rich with Olney to the north and Albion to the south. Illinois 130 runs concurrently with Illinois Route 33 while passing through Rich.

The closest commercial airport is Evansville Regional Airport, located about 60 miles west in Indiana. The nearest Amtrak train station is in Centralia, about 25 miles to the north.

Within Rich, the Rides Mass Transit District provides demand-response public transportation for residents of Jefferson County.

Education

Public education in Rich is provided by Rich Elementary School, part of Richland County School District #1. The school serves grades PK-8. For high school, students attend Richland County High School in Olney.

Rich is also served by Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, which has a campus in Olney. The nearest four-year public university is Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Tourism and Local Attractions

Although small in size, Rich has a few attractions that draw visitors to the village. Some highlights include:

  • Rich Historical Society Museum – Learn about the history of Rich through exhibits and archives. Located at 206 Russell St.
  • Wendy’s Park – This public park on Russell St includes ball fields, playgrounds, walking trails, and recreation facilities.
  • Raccoon Lake – This 85-acre lake offers fishing, boating, camping, and picnicking opportunities southeast of the village.
  • Apple Festival – An annual fall harvest celebration featuring food, crafts, contests, and live music.

Check the village events calendar or county tourism site for more details on upcoming local events and things to do in Rich.

Notable People

Some famous people who were born in or lived in Rich include:

  • William Jennings Bryan – Politician who served in the U.S. House and Senate and ran for president 3 times.
  • Rosemary Mariner – First female pilot in the U.S. Navy and first woman to command an operational air squadron.
  • Lee Eilbracht – MLB pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets.

Geographic Location

Rich is located at the coordinates 38.612° N, 88.518° W. It has an elevation of 482 feet above sea level.

Some of the key landmarks in Rich and their GPS coordinates include:

  • Rich Village Hall – 301 E Main St, 38.61251° N, 88.51861° W
  • Rich Elementary School – 301 E Main St, 38.61251° N, 88.51861° W
  • Rich Historical Society Museum – 206 Russell St, 38.61177° N, 88.51877° W

The map above shows the location of Rich Village Hall in the center of town.

Local News and Media

Residents of Rich get their local news from a few different sources:

You can also find community news and events on the Village of Rich Facebook page.

Local Sports

Residents of Rich enjoy following and participating in local sports teams and events. Some key teams and organizations include:

Keep up with local teams, events, and sports news through the school and park websites or the Register-News newspaper.

Churches and Community Organizations

There are several churches and community organizations that serve the people of Rich and provide opportunities to get involved:

Visit the Community Resources page on the village website to learn more and get involved with local groups and services.