Champaign

At the intersection of education, innovation, and micro-urban living, Champaign offers an amazing combination of cultural and recreational amenities found in a bigger city with the easygoing feel of a smaller hometown. Champaign is a welcoming and inclusive community that entices people from every corner of the globe to enjoy and call Champaign home. We’re one of the fastest growing cities in the state thanks to the awesome opportunities enjoyed by our residents, a friendly small-town vibe, and our low cost of living. We’re proud to be home to the University of Illinois and Parkland College, which attract the very brightest scholars from around the world who study, create, and implement life-changing innovations right here in Champaign. The calendar is always overflowing with things to do thanks to an abundance of recreational and cultural opportunities, an entertaining nighttime scene in our vibrant Downtown and Campustown districts, a lush park and trail system, Big 10 sporting events and more! Recharge your body after all those activities with a great meal. Champaign has so many mouthwatering restaurants and food options that we were named the Greatest Midwest Food Town by Midwest Living. Champaign is an affordable place to live and offers a wide range of lifestyle options and home styles to fit every taste and budget. With all there is to do here you won’t ever want to leave. For everything Champaign has to offer we say “You’re Welcome!”  You’re welcome you to stop on by anytime to see what you’ve been missing!


Fun Fact

Champaign has approximately twice as many residents as Urbana, but that wasn’t always the case. When the Illinois Central Railroad was built to the west of Urbana, a new settlement emerged near the new train depot. This new community, originally known as West Urbana, grew rapidly and was incorporated as the City of Champaign in 1860.


Featured Spots

Downtown Champaign—Champaign’s revitalized Downtown is home to dozens of unique bars and restaurants, unique shopping experiences, a farmers’ market, convenient parking, and loads of nightlife fun. The summer night air is filled with electricity during Friday Night Live, outdoor concerts, and other fun activities for all ages.

Campustown—Conveniently located near the University of Illinois, Campustown caters to thousands of U of I students, staff, and local residents. Campustown offers an eclectic dining scene, legendary drinking establishments, and lots of shopping options so students can stock up on Illini gear, textbooks, and other necessities.

Champaign Public LibraryRanked in the top 5% of all public libraries nationwide, the Champaign Public Library is a vital community resource. They not only have books and entertainment resources, but they also offer computers and mobile devices, online resources, meeting rooms, business and career services, a café, and more. Check it out!

Boneyard Creek Second Street Basin—Conveniently located between Downtown and Campustown, the Second Street Basin is a beautifully landscaped park built around a pond fed by the Boneyard Creek. A paved path overlooks the water and offers great views of a mesmerizing waterfall, the historic Stone Arch Bridge, and all types of wildlife. Not to be missed!

Sholem Aquatic CenterCool off during those hot summer days at Sholem Aquatic Center. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing trip around the lazy river, slip and slide down three water slides, splash around in the toddler area, lounge in the zero-depth entry pool, swim a few laps, or enjoy some cool refreshments at the snack bar.


Key Resources