Median Age
33 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 23% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
15%
Charleston
Charleston, IL Area Guide
Avg Rent
$655
Population
17,780
Renter Mix
52% Rent
A historic suburb home to Eastern Illinois University
Historic
•
Suburban
•
Affordable
•
University
•
College Town
•
Charleston is a close-knit community surrounded by rural land. The city is known for its rich history and is home to several local landmarks and museums like Alexander Briggs House and the Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum. Charleston is also home to Eastern Illinois University, giving the city a college-town vibe. Although Charleston is a small town, there are plenty of amenities in the city, like supermarkets, coffee shops, casual restaurants, and great schools. Residents appreciate the family-friendly atmosphere, peaceful residential streets, and affordable apartments, houses, and condos available for rent in Charleston.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$45,671
Average: $64,466
Education
5,057
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
9,290
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Charleston has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
52%
Non-Renters
48%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
22%
Other Education
78%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Charleston, IL is $494 for a studio, $655 for one bedroom, $921 for two bedrooms, and $1,043 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Charleston has increased by 0.6% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$655/month
578 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Charleston, IL is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
30
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
20
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Carl Sandburg Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
551 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
635 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
399 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
766 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Eastern Illinois University Observatory
- Douglas-Hart Nature Center
- Fox Ridge State Park
Commuter Rail
Top Apartments in Charleston
Houses for Rent in Charleston
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby City Guides
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.