Charleston ZIP Codes — Coles County, IL

There is one unique ZIP code in Charleston, Illinois and it is 61920. Area code: 217.

ZIP codes

148.35

sq mi land

0.90

sq mi water

217

area code

Charleston, IL ZIP code map

About Charleston, IL

Charleston is a charming city located in Coles County, Illinois. Known for its vibrant community and rich cultural heritage, Charleston offers a unique blend of small-town friendliness and educational opportunities. The city is home to Eastern Illinois University, which significantly contributes to the local economy and atmosphere.

Location & geography

Charleston is situated in the central part of Illinois, making it easily accessible from various neighboring areas. The city is approximately 35 miles west of Champaign, 45 miles south of Decatur, and around 70 miles east of Springfield. Covering a land area of 148.35 square miles and a water area of 0.90 square miles, Charleston features a mix of gently rolling terrain and a small number of lakes and rivers.

Community & economy

The character of Charleston is shaped by its diverse population and active civic engagement. The local economy is supported by education, healthcare, and retail industries, which provide ample job opportunities for residents. Daily life in Charleston revolves around community events, local shops, and the university, creating a lively atmosphere for both residents and visitors.

Transportation

Charleston is serviced by several major highways, including U.S. Route 45 and Illinois Route 16, facilitating easy travel for residents and visitors alike. The nearest named airport is the Coles County Memorial Airport, located just a few miles from downtown Charleston. Public transportation options are limited, but local taxi services and ridesharing apps are available for getting around.

History

Charleston was founded in the early 19th century and has maintained its historical charm while growing into a thriving community. The city played a significant role in the development of education in the region, with Eastern Illinois University established in 1895 being a key landmark in Charleston's history. Notable events include the city's celebration of its centennial in 1856, showcasing its rich history and vibrant community spirit.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Charleston is that it is home to the original location of the Coles County Historical Society, which preserves local history and hosts various events. Additionally, the city is known for its annual events, such as the Charleston Bluegrass Festival, attracting music lovers from across the region.

ZIP codes for Charleston, IL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
61920	Charleston	Coles	View map

Demographics & statistics

20,923

Population

31.3

Median age

$53,295

Median household income

$32,106

Per capita income

$135,500

Median home value

$821

Median monthly rent

53.9%

Home ownership

22.7%

Poverty rate

6.1%

Unemployment

6,001

Housing units

34.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

405

Under 5

416

388

5–9

398

394

10–14

405

1,046

15–19

1,073

2,033

20–24

2,088

1,377

25–34

1,413

1,019

35–44

1,046

946

45–54

972

562

55–59

576

610

60–64

627

823

65–74

844

473

75–84

486

248

85+

255

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,855	13.6%
18 and over	18,068	86.4%
65 and over	3,129	15.0%
Median age	31.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 86.2%

Black or African American 6.2%

Two or more races 3.2%

Hispanic or Latino 1.7%

Asian 1.5%

Other race 1.2%

Group	Count	%
White	18,343	86.2%
Black or African American	1,320	6.2%
Two or more races	685	3.2%
Hispanic or Latino	366	1.7%
Asian	324	1.5%
Other race	246	1.2%

Household income

Under $10k 9.2%

$10k–$15k 5.1%

$15k–$25k 10.8%

$25k–$35k 9.3%

$35k–$50k 13.4%

$50k–$75k 15.8%

$75k–$100k 10.7%

$100k–$150k 14.3%

$150k–$200k 7.3%

$200k+ 4.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	9.2%
$10k–$15k	5.1%
$15k–$25k	10.8%
$25k–$35k	9.3%
$35k–$50k	13.4%
$50k–$75k	15.8%
$75k–$100k	10.7%
$100k–$150k	14.3%
$150k–$200k	7.3%
$200k+	4.0%
Median income	$53,295

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.1%

$50k–$100k 24.2%

$100k–$150k 25.1%

$150k–$200k 18.3%

$200k–$300k 12.4%

$300k–$500k 10.1%

$500k–$1M 1.6%

$1M+ 0.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$135,500
Median rent / month	$821
Owner occupied	53.9%
Renter occupied	46.1%
Vacant	12.8%
Single-family detached	58.8%
Large apartment buildings	9.4%
Mobile homes	3.9%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.29

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	4.7%
2000–2009	7.9%
1990–1999	16.3%
1980–1989	16.3%
1970–1979	18.0%
1960–1969	9.1%
1950–1959	5.8%
1940–1949	2.9%
1939 or earlier	18.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.6%
1 bedroom	10.5%
2 bedrooms	31.9%
3 bedrooms	38.8%
4 bedrooms	12.9%
5+ bedrooms	3.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.6%
1 vehicle	38.2%
2 vehicles	35.7%
3 or more	18.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	44.8%
Electricity	48.1%
Propane / LP gas	5.4%
Wood	0.8%
No fuel used	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,542	40.5%
Cohabiting couple	899	10.3%
Male householder, no spouse	2,072	23.7%
Female householder, no spouse	2,226	25.5%
Households with children under 18	1,763	20.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,332	26.7%
Average household size	2.04

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	47.2%	46.3%
Married	40.2%	38.3%
Separated	1.8%	0.7%
Widowed	2.4%	6.0%
Divorced	8.3%	8.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.6%

Some HS, no diploma 4.2%

HS graduate 27.2%

Some college, no degree 22.2%

Associate's degree 9.2%

Bachelor's degree 19.3%

Graduate / professional 15.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.1%
Bachelor's or higher	34.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	194	2.7%
Kindergarten	80	1.1%
Elementary school	1,269	17.6%
High school	639	8.9%
College / grad school	5,033	69.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 34.2%

Retail trade 14.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.1%

Manufacturing 9.7%

Other services 5.9%

Professional & management 5.4%

Construction 4.7%

Finance & real estate 3.8%

Public administration 3.6%

Transportation & utilities 3.1%

Information 1.9%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Agriculture & mining 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.9%
Service	23.6%
Sales & office	18.9%
Natural resources & construction	6.0%
Production & transportation	14.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.9%
Government	18.5%
Self-employed	4.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	72.2%
Carpool	8.1%
Public transit	0.2%
Walk	9.7%
Other means	1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	16.3

Poverty

All people 22.7%

Under 18 years 24.1%

18 and over 22.5%

Married-couple families 9.7%

Female-led households 33.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	27.3%
Retirement income	22.1%
Supplemental Security	5.5%
Cash public assistance	1.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	13.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	24.8%
High cholesterol	25.1%
Heart disease	4.6%
Stroke	2.3%
Asthma	11.4%
Arthritis	18.7%
Kidney disease	2.3%
Pulmonary disease	6.0%
Cancer	4.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.6%
No physical activity	23.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.2%
Fair or poor health	13.6%
Poor mental health	16.7%
Poor physical health	9.0%
No health insurance	11.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.2%
Visited dentist	59.6%
Cholesterol screening	80.4%
Teeth loss	15.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,147	6.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.6%
Under 18	2.8%
18–64 years	14.6%
65 and over	39.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	68.3%
Public insurance	37.4%
Uninsured under 19	7.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	20,102	96.1%
Spanish	228	1.1%
Other Indo-European	29	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	47	0.2%
Other languages	121	0.6%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	20,237	96.7%
Born in same state	20,085	96.0%
Born in different state	16,183	77.3%
Foreign born	152	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	686	3.3%
Not a US citizen	426	62.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	2,477	11.8%
French	1,862	8.9%
Arab	1,396	6.7%
English	341	1.6%
German	115	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	92	0.4%
Dutch	60	0.3%
Irish	25	0.1%
Norwegian	12	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.8%
Internet access	95.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Charleston, IL have?

Charleston, IL has one ZIP code: 61920. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.