Charleston, Illinois

Charleston, Illinois
Nickname: 
Chucktown
Location of Charleston in Coles County, Illinois.
Charleston
Charleston
Coordinates: 39°29′03″N 88°10′41″W / 39.48417°N 88.17806°W / 39.48417; -88.17806
Country United States
State Illinois
CountyColes
TownshipsCharleston, Hutton, Lafayette, Seven Hickory
Founded1831
Incorporation1865
Founded byBenjamin Parker
Named afterCharles Morton - Postmaster
Government
  TypeCity Manager
  City ManagerR. Scott Smith
  MayorBrandon Combs
Area
  Total
9.59 sq mi (24.83 km2)
  Land8.88 sq mi (23.01 km2)
  Water0.70 sq mi (1.82 km2)
Elevation
699 ft (213 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
17,286
  Density1,945.75/sq mi (751.23/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)
61920
Area code(s)217, 447
FIPS code17-12567
GNIS ID2393803
Wikimedia CommonsCharleston, Illinois
Websitewww.charlestonillinois.org

Charleston is a city in and the county seat of Coles County, Illinois, United States. The population was 17,286, as of the 2020 census. The city is home to Eastern Illinois University and has close ties with its neighbor, Mattoon. Both are principal cities of the Charleston–Mattoon Micropolitan Statistical Area.