Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois is a small rural village located in Randolph County, along the Mississippi River. The population of the village is approximately 700 people and it is known for its French colonial architecture and history. The geography of Prairie Du Rocher is mostly flat with some rolling hills in the north and south. The climate is generally mild with four distinct seasons and temperatures ranging from -5°F to 95°F.

The history of Prairie Du Rocher dates back to 1722 when a group of French settlers arrived in the area, making it one of the oldest settlements in Illinois. It was a center for trading goods between Native American tribes and settlers and remained part of French colonial territory until 1804 when it became part of the United States. During the Civil War, Prairie Du Rocher was an important supply depot for Union troops due to its location on the Mississippi River.

Today, Prairie Du Rocher is a small but vibrant community that values its rich historical heritage. Politics are generally conservative leaning with most residents voting Republican. The economy is primarily based on agriculture with some tourism thrown in due to its attractive historical sites such as Fort de Chartres State Historic Site, which was once an 18th century French military fortification. The village also has two schools: a public elementary school and a private Catholic school called St Joseph Catholic School. Other landmarks include Liberty Bell Monument, George Rogers Clark Memorial Park, Colonial Church Museum, and many more historic sites that attract visitors from all over Illinois every year.

Population: 613. Estimated population in July 2024: 589 (-3.9% change)
Males: 275 (44.9%), Females: 338 (55.1%)

Randolph County

Zip code: 62277

Demographics

Median resident age: 33.8 years
Median household income: $35,795
Median house value: $59,900

Population by Race

Races in Prairie du Rocher:

• White Non-Hispanic (99.0%)
• American Indian (1.0%)
• Two or more races (0.7%)

Ancestries: German (36.2%), French (31.2%), Irish (13.4%), United States (7.0%), English (3.1%), Italian (2.9%).

Elevation: 396 feet

Land area: 0.6 square miles

Population by Education

Prairie du Rocher, Illinois is a small village located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Randolph County. It has a population of approximately 500 people and is part of the French Colonial Region of Southern Illinois. The village was founded in 1722 by French settlers, making it one of the oldest settlements in Illinois.

The cost of living in Prairie du Rocher is relatively low compared to other parts of Illinois. The median home value is around $90,000 and the median gross rent is around $735 per month. Property taxes are also lower than average for this region, with a median rate of 1.2%. There are no major industries in Prairie du Rocher so most jobs are service-related or part-time positions. The unemployment rate for Prairie du Rocher is slightly higher than the national average at 4%. Despite this, there are still many opportunities to find employment in nearby towns and cities such as Chester and Sparta which offer more varied job options.

The village itself has a variety of small businesses including restaurants, shops, and galleries which contribute to the local economy and provide entertainment for locals and visitors alike. There are also several parks within easy reach from Prairie du Rocher which offer excellent views over the Mississippi River and into Missouri across the way. The town also boasts several historical sites such as Fort de Chartres State Historic Site which marks where French settlers built their fortifications against Native American tribes hundreds of years ago.

For population 25 years and over in Prairie du Rocher

• High school or higher: 73.5%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.3%
• Graduate or professional degree: 2.9%
• Unemployed: 8.5%
• Mean travel time to work: 35.0 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Prairie du Rocher village

• Never married: 22.8%
• Now married: 57.4%
• Separated: 1.1%
• Widowed: 7.3%
• Divorced: 11.4%

0.0% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +23 (+3.9%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Prairie du Rocher:

• RED BUD REGIONAL HOSPITAL (about 12 miles; RED BUD, IL)
• STE GENEVIEVE COUNTY MEM HOSPITAL (about 13 miles; SAINTE GENEVIEVE, MO)
• MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 22 miles; CHESTER, IL)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Prairie du Rocher:

• SCOTT AFB/MIDAMERICA (about 36 miles; BELLEVILLE, IL; Abbreviation: BLV)
• LAMBERT-ST LOUIS INTL (about 49 miles; ST LOUIS, MO; Abbreviation: STL)
• SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (about 55 miles; ST LOUIS, MO; Abbreviation: SUS)

Other public-use airports nearest to Prairie du Rocher:

• FESTUS MEML (about 22 miles; FESTUS, MO; Abbreviation: FES)
• PERRYVILLE MUNI (about 23 miles; PERRYVILLE, MO; Abbreviation: K02)
• SACKMAN FIELD (about 28 miles; COLUMBIA, IL; Abbreviation: H49)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Prairie du Rocher:

• SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE (about 33 miles; BELLEVILLE, IL; Full-time enrollment: 7,333)
• JEFFERSON COLLEGE (about 35 miles; HILLSBORO, MO; Full-time enrollment: 2,568)
• SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 39 miles; ST LOUIS, MO; Full-time enrollment: 10,286)
• SAINT LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE-FOREST PARK (about 39 miles; ST LOUIS, MO; Full-time enrollment: 3,441)
• WEBSTER UNIVERSITY (about 40 miles; ST LOUIS, MO; Full-time enrollment: 8,252)
• SAINT LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE-MERAMEC (about 41 miles; KIRKWOOD, MO; Full-time enrollment: 7,507)
• WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (about 43 miles; ST LOUIS, MO; Full-time enrollment: 10,939)

Public primary/middle school in Prairie du Rocher:

• PRAIRIE DU ROCHER ELEM SCHOOL (Students: 168; Location: 714 MIDDLE STREET; Grades: PK – 08)