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Arcola, Illinois Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

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The current estimated population of Arcola is 2,800, with a gender distribution of 49% male and 51% female. The population has remained stable, supported by its unique Amish heritage and small-town charm in central Illinois.

City Facts

  • Year founded: 1855
  • County: Douglas County
  • Land area: 2.2 square miles
  • Population density: 1,273 people per square mile
  • Area code: 217
  • Zip code: 61910

Geography and Location

Arcola is located in central Illinois, within Douglas County, about 35 miles south of Champaign. The town is known for its connection to the local Amish community, which plays a significant role in the area’s culture and economy. Arcola is also famous for being the birthplace of the comic strip character “Raggedy Ann” and for the Illinois Amish Interpretive Center. The town has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers, typical of the Midwest. U.S. Route 45 runs through Arcola, providing easy access to nearby cities and towns. Agriculture is a key part of the local economy, with corn, soybeans, and livestock being the main products. Arcola also benefits from tourism, with visitors drawn to its unique blend of history, culture, and rural beauty. The town hosts the annual Arcola Broom Corn Festival, celebrating its past as a major producer of broom corn. Arcola’s combination of small-town friendliness and cultural richness makes it an appealing place to live and visit.

Demographics

Median resident age: 37.3 years
Median household income: $38,125
Median house value: $69,500

Population by Race

Races in Arcola:

  • White Non-Hispanic (78.3%)
  • Hispanic (19.9%)
  • Other race (8.0%)
  • Two or more races (1.4%)
  • American Indian (0.5%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (17.3%), United States (15.1%), English (9.8%), Irish (7.3%), Scottish (2.7%), Italian (1.8%).

Elevation: 678 feet

Land area: 1.4 square miles

Map of Arcola, IL

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Arcola

  • High school or higher: 76.6%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.1%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 4.8%
  • Unemployed: 2.1%
  • Mean travel time to work: 14.0 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Arcola city

  • Never married: 20.9%
  • Now married: 63.0%
  • Separated: 0.1%
  • Widowed: 6.4%
  • Divorced: 9.5%

12.3% Foreign born (12.0% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +91 (+3.6%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Arcola:

  • SARAH BUSH LINCOLN HEALTH CENTER (about 16 miles; MATTOON, IL)
  • PAVILION FOUNDATION,THE (about 30 miles; CHAMPAIGN, IL)
  • CARLE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL (about 30 miles; URBANA, IL)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Arcola:

  • COLES COUNTY MEMORIAL (about 16 miles; MATTOON/CHARLESTON, IL; Abbreviation: MTO)
  • UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-WILLARD (about 25 miles; CHAMPAIGN/URBANA, IL; Abbreviation: CMI)
  • DECATUR (about 40 miles; DECATUR, IL; Abbreviation: DEC)

Other public-use airports nearest to Arcola:

  • TUSCOLA (about 6 miles; TUSCOLA, IL; Abbreviation: K96)
  • PIATT COUNTY (about 28 miles; MONTICELLO, IL; Abbreviation: 2K0)
  • FRASCA FIELD (about 33 miles; URBANA, IL; Abbreviation: C16)

Amtrak station near Arcola:

  • 15 miles: MATTOON (1718 BROADWAY). Services: enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Arcola:

  • LAKE LAND COLLEGE (about 16 miles; MATTOON, IL; Full-time enrollment: 3,666)
  • EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY (about 16 miles; CHARLESTON, IL; Full-time enrollment: 9,582)
  • PARKLAND COLLEGE (about 30 miles; CHAMPAIGN, IL; Full-time enrollment: 5,186)
  • UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN (about 30 miles; Champaign, IL; Full-time enrollment: 36,284)
  • MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY (about 50 miles; DECATUR, IL; Full-time enrollment: 2,274)
  • INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 64 miles; TERRE HAUTE, IN; Full-time enrollment: 9,597)
  • IVY TECH STATE COLLEGE-WABASH VALLEY (about 66 miles; TERRE HAUTE, IN; Full-time enrollment: 2,099)

Schools

Public high school in Arcola:

  • ARCOLA HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 315; Location: 351 W WASHINGTON ST; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Arcola:

  • ARCOLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 390; Location: 351 W WASHINGTON ST; Grades: PK – 06)
  • H E L P ARCOLA (Students: 33; Location: 211 S JACQUES; Grades: PK – PK)

Libraries

Library in Arcola:

  • ARCOLA P.L.D. (Operating income: $175,559; Location: 407 E. MAIN; 14,119 books; 443 audio materials; 767 video materials; 85 serial subscriptions)

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