Carterville, Illinois

Living in Carterville, Illinois

Carterville is one of Southern Illinois’ fastest-growing and most desirable communities — a small city that consistently punches above its weight in schools, quality of life, and real estate value. Located in Williamson County between Marion and Carbondale, Carterville delivers the best of both worlds: a quiet, tight-knit neighborhood feel with immediate access to everything the region has to offer.

The numbers tell the story. Carterville has grown over 23% since 2000, outpacing 71% of similarly sized cities in the country. Median household income has nearly doubled over that same period. Homeownership rates are strong at 68.5%, and over 27% of housing units were built after 2000 — meaning there’s solid new and newer construction inventory alongside established family neighborhoods. The cost of living index sits at 76.9, compared to a U.S. average of 100. Your dollar goes significantly further here than almost anywhere else in Illinois.

Carterville Schools — Carterville CUSD 5

If you’re moving to Carterville with a family, the school district is one of the biggest reasons to choose this community over others in the region. Carterville Community Unit School District 5 serves 2,218 students across four schools and ranks in the top 30% of all 845 school districts in Illinois.

The district ranks in the top 20% of Illinois school districts for reading proficiency — outperforming the state average nearly 2-to-1 at 48% versus a 30% statewide average. Graduation rates have climbed to 90–94%, also placing the district in the top 20% statewide. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1, ensuring students get individual attention in smaller classrooms.

Carterville High School was the only public high school in Southern Illinois to perform above the state average on ACT testing. The high school features a 750-seat performing arts theater, fully-equipped science laboratories, and a culinary department — facilities that many much larger districts cannot match.

Athletics: IHSA State Championships in football and softball. The Carterville Varsity Cheer squad holds the record for the most wins in IHSA history.

District Admin: 200 W. Plaza Dr | 618-985-4826

Higher Education — John A. Logan College

Carterville is home to John A. Logan College (JALC), a nationally recognized community college established in 1967 and named for Civil War General and Illinois Congressman John A. Logan. The college offers over 150 degrees and certificates, has been continuously accredited since 1972, and was featured in Rolling Stone magazine as one of the nation’s top five community colleges.

JALC’s O’Neil Auditorium hosts theatrical performances and community events in a 316-seat venue on campus. The on-campus museum features Southern Illinois history, regional artwork, and prints by Salvador Dali. With strong nursing, healthcare, and liberal arts programs, JALC provides a direct path to four-year university transfer and career training for the region — making Carterville uniquely attractive for college-age residents and professional families alike.

Carterville Real Estate Market

Carterville’s housing market is active and appreciating. The median home sold price reached $224,000 in early 2025, up 16.7% from the prior year — one of the stronger appreciation rates in the Southern Illinois region. Yet even at these prices, Carterville remains a significant value compared to Illinois statewide medians.

The inventory includes a healthy mix: established family neighborhoods with mature trees and character homes, newer construction subdivisions built after 2000, and price points ranging from starter homes under $150,000 to executive properties above $400,000. Over 68% of residents own their homes — a mark of community stability that buyers and investors both value.

Recreation — Fishing, Hunting & the Great Outdoors

Carterville sits at the center of some of the finest outdoor recreation in all of Southern Illinois. Residents here don’t have to drive far to reach world-class fishing, hunting, and nature — it’s all right outside the front door.

Crab Orchard Lake is Carterville’s closest major lake and one of the most impressive fisheries in the state, located just minutes east of town within the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. At nearly 6,965 acres, Crab Orchard is the centerpiece of a 44,000-acre refuge that also includes Little Grassy Lake and Devils Kitchen Lake. The refuge offers wildlife watching, hiking nature trails, photography, swimming, fishing from the bank or by boat, and hunting. The fishery is known for big largemouth bass, excellent crappie, bluegill, catfish, and white bass — locals have fished, hunted, and boated here for generations and consistently describe the crappie fishing as phenomenal. Two campgrounds and marinas operate on the northern side of the lake, with multiple boat ramps and accessible fishing piers. Wintering Canada Geese on the refuge can peak at 200,000 birds — making it one of the top waterfowl hunting and viewing destinations in Illinois. Deer, turkey, squirrel, quail, rabbit, and dove hunting are all available on refuge lands in season.

Lake Kinkaid is just 15 miles northwest near Murphysboro — 2,750 acres, 82 miles of shoreline, and the premier muskie lake in Illinois. Muskies are stocked annually and many exceed 40 inches. The lake set an Illinois state record in 2017 when a hybrid crappie measuring 18.1 inches and weighing 4.55 pounds was landed here. A full marina, five public boat ramps, camping, RV hookups, boat rentals, and a lakeside restaurant make Kinkaid a full four-season destination. Hunting includes deer, turkey, squirrel, quail, rabbit, dove, and waterfowl.

Giant City State Park is minutes south in the Shawnee National Forest — 4,000 acres of 12,000-year-old sandstone bluffs, multiple hiking trails including the 12-mile Red Cedar Backpacking Trail, rock climbing at Devil’s Standtable, guided horseback riding at Giant City Stables, and the legendary Giant City Lodge famous throughout Southern Illinois for its all-you-can-eat family-style fried chicken dinner. Hunting and fishing are permitted on a controlled basis.

The Shawnee National Forest stretches 263,000 acres at Carterville’s doorstep, offering deer, turkey, dove, quail, squirrel, and waterfowl hunting throughout the season, plus the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail through Illinois’ first American Viticultural Area, designated in 2006.

Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort

Right in Carterville sits one of Southern Illinois’ premier entertainment destinations. Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort features 31,000 square feet of casino space, a 113-room hotel, a full spa, an indoor and outdoor pool with hot tubs, and a 12,250-square-foot multipurpose events center at 777 Walkers Bluff Way. The gaming floor offers over 650 slot machines and 14 live table games including blackjack, craps, and roulette. Ruthie’s Steak and Seafood and the Draft Day Sports Lounge deliver dining and sports viewing in a full resort setting.

The Events Center brings in national headliner acts year-round — from country stars to classic rock legends — making Walker’s Bluff the entertainment hub of the entire region. Whether you’re a Carterville resident enjoying a night out or a visitor for the weekend, this is a genuine resort-quality destination sitting right in your backyard.

Location & Lifestyle

Carterville’s position along the Marion–Carbondale corridor is one of its greatest assets. Residents have fast access to both city centers while enjoying the quieter pace of suburban life. The community features more than 10 antique stores in and around town, strong local churches, civic organizations, and a genuine small-town identity that residents take great pride in.

WSIL-TV, the ABC affiliate for the Southern Illinois region, is based in Carterville — a signal of the city’s role as a legitimate media and business hub for the area. John A. Logan College brings a constant flow of students, faculty, and cultural programming to the community, while Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort and Crab Orchard Lake ensure there is always something to do no matter the season.

Homes for Sale in Carterville

Browse all current MLS listings in Carterville, IL — updated daily from live MLS data.