With a population of 87,156 as of the 2020 census, Champaign is the tenth largest city in Illinois. Located in Champaign County in east-central Illinois, it is home to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the flagship state university. The city has a diverse economy and a rich cultural scene thanks to the university’s presence.
History
The Champaign area was first settled in the early 19th century and was named after Champaign County, Ohio. The Illinois Central Railroad reached the area in the 1850s, bringing further development. The university opened its doors in the 1860s, establishing Champaign as a center of education and learning for the region.
Over the late 19th and early 20th centuries, steady population growth and industrial development established Champaign as an important Midwestern commercial and manufacturing hub. Several major corporations located factories in the city, like food processing plants for Hershey’s and Pillsbury. The arrival of technology firms and research parks maintained Champaign’s strong economy into the 21st century.
Geography and Climate
Champaign has a humid continental climate, typical of the Midwestern United States. Summers are warm and humid, with average highs in the 80s Fahrenheit. Winters are cold, with highs in the 30s. The all-time record high is 109°F and the record low is -25°F.
The city’s topography is fairly flat, sitting on a large prairie. The soil is excellent for agriculture. Some of the major waterways near Champaign are the Kaskaskia River and Saline Branch.
Demographics
According to the latest Census estimates, Champaign has a population of 87,156 residents. The racial makeup of the city is 66.8% White, 15.4% Asian, 12.1% African American, and 3.6% Hispanic/Latino. Over a quarter of residents are college-aged, reflecting the large student population.
In addition to the University of Illinois, major area employers include Kraft Heinz, Christie Clinic, OSF Healthcare, Horizon Hobby, the City of Champaign, and Parkland College. The presence of technology and research companies provides strong professional jobs and wages.
Champaign has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades due to the strength of the local economy. The city’s official website provides more detailed information about the local economy.
Attractions and Entertainment
There are many fun things to see and do in Champaign-Urbana. The Champaign Park District maintains over 700 acres of public parks, gardens, trails, and facilities for sports and recreation. Popular parks include Hessel Park, Porter Family Park, and Centennial Park.
For art and culture, visitors can check out the Virginia Theatre, which hosts concerts and live performances, as well as museums like the Spritzenhaus and the Museum of the Grand Prairie.
Sports fans can catch a football game at the University of Illinois or a minor league baseball game featuring the Champaign Central Illinois Flames. The City of Champaign’s visitor’s page has more suggestions for things to do.
Shopping and Dining
Shopaholics will love exploring Market Place Mall, the main shopping center in Champaign. The mall features over 80 stores ranging from department stores like Macy’s to specialty retail like Abercrombie & Fitch.
Those who prefer local boutiques should check out downtown Champaign, where shops and restaurants line Neil Street, Main Street, Walnut Street and the surrounding areas. Trendy shops sell clothing, gifts, shoes, jewelry and more.
Champaign’s restaurant scene offers diverse cuisines thanks to the international population from the University of Illinois. Excellent dining options include sit-down restaurants like Bacaro and CityGate Grille to casual fare like Papa Del’s Pizza. A must-try local delicacy is a horseshoe, an open-faced sandwich popular in Springfield and the surrounding cities.
Housing and Transportation
Champaign provides ample options for housing. As a college town, it contains many apartments, condos and single-family homes for rent geared towards students and young professionals. Luxury apartment complexes like Here Champaign offer convenient amenities. The average rent for a 1-bedroom unit is around $900 per month.
Home buyers can find nice neighborhoods with affordable single-family homes either in the heart of Champaign or in the quieter suburbs. The average listing price for a home is about $180,000. Champaign’s location along Interstate 74 makes it easy to access from surrounding communities.
The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) provides public transportation throughout the city. The University of Illinois campus and downtown Champaign are very walkable. Champaign is also served by Willard Airport for regional air travel.
Universities and Education
The obvious hub for education in Champaign is the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This world-class public research university has over 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students studying in 16 different colleges ranging from engineering to media to agriculture.
Students of all ages in Champaign have access to top-ranked primary and secondary schools. Champaign Unit 4 School District runs acclaimed schools like Central High School, ranked in the top 3% statewide. There are also several private school options in the city and surrounding area.
Adults looking to further their education locally can enroll in classes at Parkland College, a community college that provides career training and transfer programs.
Jobs and Local Economy
Champaign has a diverse economy anchored by technology, manufacturing, education and healthcare. Many international companies have offices or facilities in Champaign, including John Deere, Intel, Yahoo!, Caterpillar, and Archer Daniels Midland.
The presence of the University of Illinois makes education and research significant employment sectors. Major area employers include Kraft Heinz, OSF Healthcare, Christie Clinic and Aerospace Fabrication. Unemployment is low at around 3%, below the national average.
Recent growth in fields like biotechnology, engineering, green energy, and computing point to strong job prospects going forward. Champaign’s economic development program provides resources for finding jobs and recruiting employees.
New businesses and startups can also take advantage of support and incentives from the city government and university programs. Overall, Champaign enjoys economic stability and opportunity.
Living in Champaign
Known as one of the “Cities that Work”, Champaign offers an outstanding quality of life. It provides the diversity and culture of a college town along with the affordability and charm of small town Midwest. The thriving business community and school systems make it attractive to young families.
Those who love the outdoors will enjoy Champaign’s many parks and recreational paths. The city is very bike-friendly. Local festivals like the Taste of Champaign and the Sweetcorn Festival celebrate community spirit.
Civic pride runs deep thanks to the beloved Fighting Illini sports teams. There are plenty of opportunities for community involvement through the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, theater troupes and other organizations.
While Champaign offers big city amenities, it still retains a welcoming, neighborhood feel. New residents quickly come to appreciate Champaign as a place not just to live, but to call home.
Visit the City of Champaign’s Facebook page for more on local events and news.