Carbondale, Illinois

Carbondale, Illinois
South Illinois Avenue
Nickname: 
Eclipse Crossroads of America
Motto: 
All Ways Open
Location of Carbondale in Jackson County, Illinois
Carbondale
Carbondale
Coordinates: 37°43′20″N 89°15′30″W / 37.72222°N 89.25833°W / 37.72222; -89.25833
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyJackson, Williamson
TownshipsCarbondale, Murphysboro, Makanda
PrecinctsCarterville
Founded1852
Incorporated Town1856
Government
  TypeCouncil–manager
  MayorCarolin Harvey
Area
  Total
17.86 sq mi (46.25 km2)
  Land17.42 sq mi (45.13 km2)
  Water0.43 sq mi (1.13 km2)
Elevation
449 ft (137 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
25,083
  Density1,254.49/sq mi (484.36/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
62901, 62902, 62903
Area code618
FIPS code17-11163
GNIS feature ID2393739
Public TransitJackson County Mass Transit District
South Central Transit
Websitewww.explorecarbondale.com

Carbondale is a city in Jackson County, Illinois, United States, within the Southern Illinois region informally known as "Little Egypt". As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 25,083, making it the most populous city in Southern Illinois outside the Metro East region of Greater St. Louis.

Carbondale was established in 1853 and developed as a crossroads of the railroad industry. Today, the major roadways of Illinois Route 13 and U.S. Route 51 intersect in the city. The city is located 96 miles (154 km) southeast of St. Louis on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest. It is the home of the main campus of Southern Illinois University.